Crafting alternatives to corporate restructuring: Politics, institutions and union power in France and Canada

Abstract

This article explores how local trade unionists mobilize politics and institutions in the face of threats of restructuring. I focus on three issues: first, how differences in regime types and institutional ‘densities’ affect plant closures; second, power and the social relationships of local actors; and third, contingencies relating to the organizational characteristics of multinational corporations. I compare two workplaces in France and two in Canada in order to explain variations in union strategy, and find that the power resources and strategic capabilities of local unions that were decisive: unions that could effectively ‘invent’ alternative visions for their plants’ futures were most successful in mitigating negative outcomes from restructuring. I conclude by discussing the role of the state in plant closures and how unions can engage in contentious politics in an era of economic restructuring.