Patrick Gunnigle, Michelle OSullivan

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Trade unions under bargained corporatism the
case of Ireland
Patrick Gunnigle, Michelle OSullivan Michael
Morley University of Limerick Ireland Universit
y of Limerick
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• CONTEXT
• Fastest growing OECD economy
• 10th most competitive (WCY 2001)
• Strong FDI focus esp from U.S.
• (1/3 of Industrial Employment, 70 of Indus.
  Exports)
• IR DIMENSION
• Contrast to US or UK in 1980s
• Bargained corporatism 5 centrally
• negotiated agreements 1987-2002
• pivotal role for TU movement

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(No Transcript)
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Trade Union Density 1994-1999
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• TRADE UNION DENSITY
• Growing membership but falling density
• Down by 17 since 1980
• TU Recognition New large Firms
• Almost 70 non-union
• Progressive trend.
• During era of national partnership high union
  influence
• Diffusion .not just US high tech firms

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New Greenfield Firms
Union Recognition by Country of Ownership
1987-1997
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CONCLUSIONS

• Context of significant TU influence corporatist
  IR arrangements.yet TUs and Collective
  Bargaining in decline
• Why is union recognition so low.. in era of
  unprecedented growth?
• Management strategies/HR practices
• Structural change
• Industrial Policy Union averse sectors
  (pragmatism rather than ideology)
• Workforce profile?

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Unionisation Occupational Level Operatives,
Labourers, Transport 46 Communications
workers Clerical Workers 45 Service
Workers 20 Professional and Technical
Workers 53   Unionisation Education
Level Primary Education 28 Junior
Certificate 35 Leaving Certificate 39 Thi
rd Level 43   Source Labour Force Survey