ABSTRACT
Contrary to early pessimistic predictions (Marginson, 2006; Meardi, 2002; Vaughan-Whitehead, 2003), transnational union cooperation is emerging across the enlarged EU. Central-Eastern European (CEE)2 unionists socialise with their Western European colleagues during European Works Councils’ meetings (Kotthoff, 2005; Meardi, 2004). There is also evidence indicating that plant-level labour organisations from new and old EU member states coordinate their strategies during investment site selection and transnational restructuring (Bernaciak, 2010). Joint initiatives take place at the sectoral level from construction to the metal industry (Kahancova, 2008; Kahmann, 2006). The participation of CEE unionists in recent EU-wide protests against the liberalisation of EU service markets suggests that there exists consensus among European labour over the desired shape of social Europe (Gajewska, 2008).
