There are growing indications that the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is
undergoing a shift in strategic orientation from an exclusive focus on institutional
‘social partnership’ within the European Union towards a more
campaigning ‘social movement’ model. This article explores two
recent campaigns, on the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Convention
on the Future of Europe, and considers how far these developments mark the emergence
of a distinctive trade union identity at European level. The article concludes with
examples of other areas where the ETUC could encourage ‘internal
dialogue’ within European trade unionism and develop further a
‘hybrid’ transnational identity.
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