This paper describes changes in trade unions in Bulgaria, where a fundamental shift away from the old communist union model is in progress. The author discusses the emergence of plural unionism, changes in the structure and functions of unions, and changing relationships between unions and political parties. These developments, he concludes, demonstrate that it is possible for unions formerly under strong centralized state control to implement effective labor reforms and to contribute to broader social reforms. Moreover, the author views this transformation in Bulgaria as a lasting one, barring severe political reversals.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AngelovIvan. 1988. The New Economic Reform in Bulgaria. Sofia: Sofia Press.
2.
BielaziakJack. 1989. “Self-management and the Politics of Reform.”Economic and Industrial Democracy, Vol. 10, No. 3 (August), pp. 283–310.
3.
BlinderA., editor. 1990. Paying for Productivity. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution.
Independent Bulgarian Trade Unions. 1990. Materials of the 11th Extraordinary Congress, Feb. 18. Sofia: Sofia Press.
6.
JacksonMarvin. 1988. “Bulgaria's Attempt at ‘Radical Reform.’”Berichte des Bundesinstituts fur ostwis senschaftliche und internationale Studien, Vol. 2, pp. 1–45.
7.
JonesDerek C.1991. “The Bulgarian Labor Market in Transition.”International Labor Review, Vol. 130, No. 2, pp. 211–26.
8.
JonesDerek C., and MeursMieke. 1991. “On Entry in Socialist Economies: Evidence from Bulgaria.”Soviet Studies, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 311–28.
9.
JonesDerek C., and MeursMieke. 1991. “Worker Participation and Worker Self-Management in Bulgaria.”Comparative Economic Studies, Vol. 33, No. 4.
10.
KornaiJanos. 1980. Economics of Shortage. Amsterdam: North Holland Publishing Co.
11.
National Assembly of People's Republic of Bulgaria. 1990. “General Agreement.”Sofia.
12.
National Assembly of People's Republic of Bulgaria. 1990. Law for the Settlement of Collective Labor Disputes. March.
13.
NelsonDaniel N.1990. “New Politics and the Army in Bulgaria.” Paper presented at National Defense University; forthcoming in Berichte des Bundesinstitut.
14.
PetkovKrastyu. 1988. “The Brigade Organization of Work in Bulgaria.”Sofia: Sofia Press.
15.
PetkovKrastyu, and ThirkellJohn E. M.. 1988. “Managerial Elections in Bulgaria: Interests, Conflicts, and Representation.”Labor and Society, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 306–18.
16.
PetkovKrastyu, and ThirkellJohn E. M.. 1991. Labor Relations in Eastern Europe: Organizational Design and Dynamics. London: Routledge.
17.
Planecon. 1991. “The Bulgarian Economy in 1990 and the First Half of 1991: Depression in the Balkans.”Vol. 7, No. 34/35, Oct. 10.
18.
RossStanford G.1991. “Report on Social Security Reform Technical Assistance Consultation in Bulgaria.”Eastern European Technical Assistance Program of the U.S. Treasury, October.
19.
SorensonJan B.1969. The Life and Death of Soviet Trade Unions. New York: Atherton.
20.
State Council of the People's Republic of Bulgaria. 1989. Decree 56 on Economic Activity. Sofia: Sofia Press.
21.
WallimanIsidor, and StojanovChristo. 1989. “Social and Economic Reform in Bulgaria: Economic Democracy and Problems of Change in Industrial Relations.”Economic and Industrial Democracy, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 361–78.
22.
WindmullerJohn P.1971. “Czechoslovakia and the Communist Union Model.”British Journal of Industrial Relations, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 33–54.
23.
BankWorld. 1991. Bulgaria: Crisis and Transition to a Market Economy. 2 vols. Washington, D.C.: the World Bank.
