Vormen en doelstellingen van vakbondsaktie. Deel II: ontwerp voor een theoretische achtergrond

Samenvatting

This 2nd article (see "Vormen en Doelstellingen van Vakbondsaktie," Mens en Maatschappij, 1970, 45, 1, Jan, 9 -- 27, for the 1st part) draws the outlines of a sociol'al theory of trade unions. A 2-sided approach is necessary: (1) the historical meaning of trade unions, & (2) the manifest & latent functions of trade unions re the relations between employers, employees, & gov. The actionalist method by Alain Touraine (with the concepts of historical subject creation & control) seems an adequate foundation for such a theory. In this vision the driving power of trade-unions is the wish of the workers to exercise control over the econ & S-cul development. Trade unions are an expression of the dissatisfaction with relations of employment & of the feeling of being thrown entirely on workers' solidarity. The goals of trade unions depend upon: (a) the extent to which society has a class character, (b) the level of industr development, (c) the speed of industr development, & (d) the power of the trade unions. All trade unions, having their foundations in a specific group (viz the workers), but trying to realize general pol'al goals, do reflect this fundamental dualism in their goals. Touraine's classification of trade unions & of class consciousness is highly adaptable to the history of the goals of Dutch trade unions. This classification can be the theoretical cadre for a critical approach to the strategy of trade unions according to which one can explain the genesis, goals & development of trade unions. H. Van de Belt.