Understanding European Trade Unionism

`Engaging and essential reading for those interested in the historical and recent evolution of trade union movements in Europe′ - Construction Labour Research

`The book combines theoretical analyses of trade unionism with short histories... is clearly written, well argued and largely jargon free′ - Labour History Review

`[A] detailed and fascinating history of trade unions in the three countries [Britain, German, Italy] and lastly, considers how the unions could recover from the intense disarray of recent years′ - Labour Research

`From a deeply reflective reconstruction of well over a century of national trade union experiences, Richard Hyman emerges with incisive questions for the European future. Can there be a co-ordinated diversity of trade union practice? How can a European trade unionism be built from below, rather than through top-down bureaucracies? Everyone concerned over the construction of a truly social Europe will learn much from this thoughtful and probing study′ - Professor Colin Crouch, Istituto Universitario Europeo

`Well written and jargon free, this highly original book makes an important theoretical contribution that broadens our perspectives

on Industrial Relations′ - George Strauss, Professor Emeritus, Institute of Industrial Relations, University of California, Berkeley

`This book provides a timely insight into organized labour in an increasingly capitalist world. Whether one agrees with Richard Hyman on a role for unions in post-modern societies is unimportant. This book asks all the pertinent questions that need to be asked by anyone curious about the future of trade unions in the twenty-first century. It provides a scholarly insight that begs reading by policy makers in labour, business and the government′ - Professor Anil Verma, Rotman School of Management and Centre for Industrial Relations, University of Toronto; Past-President, Canadian Industrial Relations Association.

`A very innovative study of trade unionism, whose overall development is powerfully portrayed while offering at the same time a brilliant analysis of distinct types to be found within Europe′ - Marino Regini, Facoltà di Scienze Politiche, Università degli Studi di Milano

From a deeply reflective reconstruction of well over a century of national trade union experiences, Richard Hyman emerges with incisive questions for the European future. Can there be a co-ordinated diversity of trade union practice? How can a European trade unionism be built from below, rather than through top-down bureaucracies? Everyone concerned over the construction of a truly social Europe will learn much from this thoughtful and probing study." - Professor Colin Crouch, Istituto Universitario Europeo