International Labour Affairs

This book assesses the response of the international labour movement to the challenge of increased employment after the Second World War - an era which saw the expansion of multinationals which sought for better access to markets and lower labour costs throughout the developed and developing worlds. It also describes the world organizations that arose in an attempt to defend workers by fostering international co-operation among trade unions. The topics covered include transnational bargaining, the expansion and regulation of multinational companies, and the attitude of national trade union centres to international co-operation. The author reaches the bitter conclusion that many multinationals establish overseas affiliates solely in order to escape unionization and take advantage of cheap labour, and that the dreams of some labour leaders for collective bargaining on an international scale have yet to be realised. Trade union leaders, management consultants, management in industry, government personnel and advisers in labour departments, undergraduate and graduate students of labour relations and trade union history will find the book of interest.