A "Project-based" Union Representation. Precariousness, Union Strategies and Collective Action in Europe

Journal title PARTECIPAZIONE E CONFLITTO
Author/s Anna Maria Curcio
Publishing Year 2010 Issue 2010/2 Language Italian
Pages 24 P. 114-137 File size 544 KB
DOI 10.3280/PACO2010-002006
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Labour transformations and increasing precariousness are giving a new shape to contemporary labour struggles. A widespread "intellectualization" of labour emerges following the new forms and contents of the contemporary production (these are languages, relational and communicative aptitude, knowledge, affect, and so). The function of representatives is thus incorporated into the practices and strategies of the living labour challenging the traditional distinction between workers and union delegates. Nowadays precarious workers' struggles are oriented on specific goals and projects, and the relationship with union delegates follows this pattern. In this sense it is possible to talk about the rise of a «project-based» union representation that reflects the contingent relationship between precarious workers and unions. Inquiring three different kind of precarious workers' struggles around Europe (the Italian Rete Nazionale Ricercatori Precari in 2004, and two Social Unionism experiences: the "Justice for Cleaners" campaign in London in 2005 and a pilot project among the security service workers in Hamburg in 2006), this essay considers the combination of union strategies and collective action that emerges from the contemporary precarious workers' struggles. Ultimately it reflects on precarious workers' practices and strategies and what, if any, is their contribution to redrawing the new forms of organization of contemporary labour.

Keywords: Precariousness, Labour Struggles, Collective Action, Social Unionism, "Project-based" Union Representation, Labour Transformations

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Anna Maria Curcio, Rappresentanza a progetto. Precarietà, lavoro migrante e azione collettiva in Europa in "PARTECIPAZIONE E CONFLITTO" 2/2010, pp 114-137, DOI: 10.3280/PACO2010-002006