This volume contains selected case studies which explore the theme of trade union responses to globalisation, in order to illustrate experiences drawn from three broad groups of countries: industrialised, middle-income and developing economies. Country case studies include: Japan, Sweden, the United States, Chile, Israel, Korea, India and South Africa. These studies seek to promote wider understanding of the role and changing priorities of organised labour in a range of countries at varying stages of development. They highlight the fact that the major challenge for unions in all countries, notably developing countries, is the representation of non-traditional sectors, and the provision of new services.

This book presents a series of research essays on the state of unions in many different parts of the world. Written by leading researchers in the field it provides insights into the causes of union decline. But it goes beyond historical analyses to investigate the prospects for the future. Can unions organize in segments of the workforce such as the youth, women, low wage workers and those in the informal sector? Can unions network with other organizations such as NGOs nationally and internationally to gain power and influence?