Union Network International: the World Committee of Workers of Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz

• Grant number: 14/24615-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2015
• End date: October 29, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Sociology
• Principal Investigator: Jose Dari Krein
• Grantee: Ariella Silva Araujo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (IFCH). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/20408-1 - Labor conditions in current Brazil: formalization, job insecurity, outsourcing and regulation, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/08762-2 - International union networks: a study of the Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz world works council, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The research project has aimed to problematize the constitution of Union Networks in Brazil and how these networks have been articulated in international scope. More specifically we will focus on the networks that have formed within the automotive sector, taking as examples the object of study of the constituted by Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz networks. We understand that the networks have been developing as a possibility for action at the international level, which may indicate a change in behavior in the union movement, once the draft constitution of networks is focused to face the action of transnational corporations. Increasingly, unions have entered into their agendas for discussion the growing challenge of creating appropriate and effective mechanisms for coordination, organization and articulation of union action on an international scale, mainly because this is the scope of action of capitalism and transnational corporations and their internationalized production networks and subcontracting. In view of this, we elected the following summary question to guide the search: the union networks would constitute a new kind of unionism, based on a new action strategy organized network, which presupposes overcoming the traditional unionism and thereby strengthen local organizations?

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ARAUJO, Ariella Silva. From international solidarity to the institutionalization of partnership: the experience of Word Works Council of Volkswagen AG and Daimler AG. 2019. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas Campinas, SP.