The Political Economy of Trade Union Strategies in Austria and Germany: The Case of Call Centres

Abstract

This article offers a systematic comparison of strategic responses of Austrian and German unions to an emergent sector. It aims to increase understanding of both union movements, and also to contribute conceptually to the study of the varieties of unionism. The concept of `core strategies' facilitates more systematic comparisons of unions' strategic responses to apparently similar challenges and helps explain why — despite many similarities in their industrial relations systems and the uniform development of the call centre sector in both countries — the strategic responses of Austrian and German unions differ remarkably in terms of content, priority and timing.