16 January 2023, at 12.00 • Marco Biagi Foundation
Introduction
IACOPO SENATORI, Economics Department Marco Biagi, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Speaker
ANTHONY FORSYTH, Graduate School of Business & Law, RMIT University, Australia
Final Remarks
ALBERTO TAMPIERI, Department of Law, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Abstract
Union membership decline in Australia, the USA and UK has been far more pronounced over the last 30 years than in Italy, where the main union confederations retain a strong institutional position in the national social partnership framework and national/industry-level collective bargaining. Italian law (the 1970 Workers Statute) also provides a firmer basis for union organisation and representation at the workplace level. In contrast, the labour laws of the other three countries are focused on bargaining at the level of the enterprise with strict controls on strike action. These laws have given employers opportunities to implement ‘fissured’ business models through which they keep unions at a distance, and to engage in ‘union-busting’ to thwart collective bargaining campaigns.
In this lecture, Distinguished Professor Anthony Forsyth will draw upon his recent book The Future of Unions and Worker Representation: The Digital Picket Line to compare the labour laws of Italy, Australia, the USA and UK, and the revitalisation strategies of unions, to assess the future prospects for labour movements in all four nations – and identify the ingredients necessary to rebuild collective worker power.
The seminar is open and the participation is free. Further information: +390592056092 | phd_lavorosviluppoinnovazione@unimore.it