ABSTRACT
The restructuring of companies and the economic transnationalisation have always had far-reaching consequences on labour's capacity to organise and to negotiate terms and conditions. In addition, where workers are positioned in the global system of capitalism influences their possibilities to better their working and living conditions. It is therefore indispensable to consider the structures and dynamics of global capitalism when analysing the power workers may exert vis-à-vis capital and the state. In addition to the detrimental effects of transnationalisation for the workers, it is important to look at how workers cope with production fragmentation and the dynamics of global production networks. This includes looking at the opportunities partly vulnerable production networks and delivery chains provide for union strategies.
The contribution will, first, describe how the literature on global value chains and production networks represents the possibilities to improve employment and working conditions. It will, second, look at workers’ struggles in global production networks and the power resources workers and unions are able to draw on. Finally, the contribution argues for situated analyses and shows the need to consider societal and political contexts and the multi-scalar character of power struggles.
