Trade Unions and Migrant Workers

'This timely book offers not only richly textured studies of European trade union responses to the influx of immigrant workers across the continent, but also an insightful comparative analysis. Building on an earlier volume that the editors published at the turn of the 21st century, this one focuses on the new challenges posed by growing economic globalization, trade union decline, and the surge of xenophobia among European workers. It deserves a prominent spot on the bookshelf of anyone interested in labor movements and migration, not only in Europe but worldwide.'

- Ruth Milkman, The Graduate Center, City University of New York

'Trade Unions and Migrant Workers updates the classic ''three-dilemmas'' thesis of Penninx and Roosblad, demonstrating its continuing relevance in today's shifting migration context. Drawing on national case studies of union responses to labour migration, it shows that while the balance of power and incentive structures unions face have shifted, the fundamental strategic dilemmas posed to unions by labour migration remain the same. This book will be a go-to citation for me in the coming years.'

- Nathan Lillie, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland



This timely book analyzes the relationship between trade unions, immigration and migrant workers across eleven European countries in the period between the 1990s and 2015. It constitutes an extensive update of a previous comparative analysis - published by Rinus Penninx and Judith Roosblad in 2000 - that has become an important reference in the field. The book offers an overview of how trade unions manage issues of inclusion and solidarity in the current economic and political context, characterized by increasing challenges for labour organizations and rising hostility towards migrants.

The qualitative analysis of trade union strategies towards immigration and migrant workers is based on a common analytical framework centred on the idea of 'dilemmas' that trade unions have to face when dealing with immigration and migrant workers. This approach facilitates comparative analysis and distinguishes patterns of union policies and actions across three groups of countries, identifying some explanations for observed similarities and differences. In addition, the book also includes theoretical chapters by expert scholars from a range of disciplinary fields including industrial relations, migration studies and political economy.

This comprehensive comparative analysis is an essential resource for academics across a range of disciplines as well as policy-makers, practitioners and organizations involved in trade unions and migrant inclusion and integration.

Contributors include: M. Bernaciak, L. Berntsen, M. Canek, H. Connolly, S. Contrepois, A. Gachter, A. Giorgi, R. Gumbrell-McCormick, T. Hastings, J. Heyes, M. Hyland, R. Hyman, J. Kubisa, S. Marino, M. Martinez Lucio, A. Neergaard, R. Penninx, M. Rinaldini, J. Roosblad, B. Sellers, T. Vitale, I. Wagner, C. Woolfson