Social Europe

politics, economy and employment & labour

  • Projects
    • Corporate Taxation in a Globalised Era
    • US Election 2020
    • The Transformation of Work
    • The Coronavirus Crisis and the Welfare State
    • Just Transition
    • Artificial intelligence, work and society
    • What is inequality?
    • Europe 2025
    • The Crisis Of Globalisation
  • Audiovisual
    • Audio Podcast
    • Video Podcasts
    • Social Europe Talk Videos
  • Publications
    • Books
    • Dossiers
    • Occasional Papers
    • Research Essays
    • Brexit Paper Series
  • Shop
  • Membership
  • Ads
  • Newsletter

Trade unions tackling populism

by Peter Scherrer on 26th February 2019

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

The populists present themselves as the voice of the ‘little people’. For trade unions tackling populism entails standing up for a fair and sustainable globalisation.

Trade unions tackling populism

Peter Scherrer

‘The Andalusians have made history,’ said the national Vox party leader, Santiago Abascal, on election night in the Spanish region in December, claiming a ‘triumph’. This was the most recent success for a far-right populist party entering a democratically elected parliament in Europe. Asylum policy and unemployment, especially among young people, were the dominant themes in the election campaign, with the losers on election night—as so often across Europe—including the social-democratic, left-wing parties. Figures show significantly more men than women give their votes to right-wing populist parties.

Because union members are not immune to xenophobic and nationalist propaganda, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and its institute (ETUI) are even more involved than in the past in examining the reason for the growing ‘attractiveness’ of right-wing populist parties.

Attacking the ‘elites’

Populist parties equate globalisation with the loss of national sovereignty, the liberalisation of the economy and the deregulation of industrial relations. Populism is directed in particular against the elites seen as benefiting from globalisation. For populist parties, these elites are found in the ruling establishment—in the established parties, among business leaders, the ‘mainstream media’ and also union ‘bosses’. Populists represent themselves as the champions of the ‘little people’.

Right-wing populist parties, as a remedy for these threats, are proposing to retreat into the narrow confines of the nation, which guarantees solidarity through a supposed national identity. Xenophobia and more-or-less open racism are the propagandist, rhetorical glue that keeps these ‘solutions’ together.

Populists of all stripes have long since identified the European Union as a common enemy across Europe, alleged to trigger and reinforce national and regional disadvantages. These shared anti-European sentiments are clearly highlighted in the elections to the European Parliament. It is claimed that the EU needs reform. In truth, however, populists want to downsize the union and even threaten to leave it. The shift of basic political, economic, social and financial powers back to the nation-state unites populists across Europe. They reject the basic EU treaties on the single market and currency.

Join our growing community newsletter!

"Social Europe publishes thought-provoking articles on the big political and economic issues of our time analysed from a European viewpoint. Indispensable reading!"

Polly Toynbee

Columnist for The Guardian

Thank you very much for your interest! Now please check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit

Significantly, populism also affects parts of the middle class. This makes it clear that social decline and impoverishment are not the sole fuel for populism, but rather the fear of change and possible loss. On many issues of wealth distribution, infrastructure and participation, populists’ criticisms undoubtedly address real concerns.

Fair and sustainable globalisation

Trade unions must lead the debate on the future shape of the European internal market and globalisation more openly and ambitiously. We see not only threats but also opportunities. Fair and sustainable globalisation can lead to a socially equitable increase in wealth among trading partners and in the countries of the European Union.

But for that we need a fundamental policy change. The EU, and in particular the European Parliament as the legitimate representative of European citizens, has the task of setting rules for economic and social fairness and sustainability and imposing them across Europe.

The EU’s ‘prosperity promise’ must apply to all, not just the strong. In Germany, too, we have to admit that we are only well-off if our European neighbours are doing well too. There cannot be a lasting split in the union between globalisation winners and losers. The ‘distribution justice’ project must start now, here and today! For example, the objectives of the ETUC’s campaign ‘Europe needs a pay rise’ need to be pursued more decisively than ever before.


We need your help! Please join our mission to improve public policy debates.


As you may know, Social Europe is an independent publisher. We aren't backed by a large publishing house or big advertising partners. For the longevity of Social Europe we depend on our loyal readers - we depend on you. You can support us by becoming a Social Europe member for less than 5 Euro per month.

Thank you very much for your support!

Become a Social Europe Member

Rural areas need special attention and help. Public services of general interest, access to education and participation in social development must be available to all citizens, no matter where they live. Digitalisation can make many things easier. The objectives must be set with the broad participation of stakeholders and actions implemented quickly—and their fulfilment must be monitored transparently. This transcends the framework of traditional regional policy, because it covers all fields of action for trade unions. They need to readjust and strengthen their regional presence. Especially here, trade unions must demonstrate their human side, and can thereby build lasting credibility.

Despite social media, personal contact and direct contact are of the utmost importance. It goes without saying that trade unions must address media and public rallies, demonstrations and protests against xenophobia, racism and nationalist politics. At the same time, trade unionists and works councils must take sides in the workplace, in companies and administrations against the exclusionist and misanthropic policies of right-wing populists.

Structural reform of the EU

Trade unions need to clarify their position on fair and sustainable globalisation and on a thorough political reform of the European Union. This must be the subject of trade-union debate, education and public relations. It is not just about achieving a ‘Social Europe’.

Trade unions bear the responsibility for an outgoing dialogue, issuing in a new reform approach for Europe and its institutions. The 14th Congress of the ETUC in May provides an excellent platform for discussion of a fundamental structural overhaul of Europe. It is time for a politico-social manifesto to be discussed throughout the EU.

This column is sponsored by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
Home ・ Politics ・ Trade unions tackling populism

Filed Under: Politics

About Peter Scherrer

Peter Scherrer is deputy general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Brussels.

Partner Ads

Most Popular Posts

Thomas Piketty,capital Capital and ideology: interview with Thomas Piketty Thomas Piketty
sovereignty Brexit and the misunderstanding of sovereignty Peter Verovšek
China,cold war The first global event in the history of humankind Branko Milanovic
centre-left, Democratic Party The Biden victory and the future of the centre-left EJ Dionne Jr
Covid 19 vaccine Designing vaccines for people, not profits Mariana Mazzucato, Henry Lishi Li and Els Torreele

Most Recent Posts

European Pillar of Social Rights,social pillar EU credibility as a people’s union rests on the social pillar Liina Carr
vaccine nationalism,Big Pharma Vaccine nationalism won’t defeat the pandemic Sharan Burrow
Can we change the climate on climate change? Karin Pettersson
adaptation strategy Managing the unavoidable impact of climate change Ludovic Voet
platform,crowdworker Germany adds to recognition of platform workers Roman Kormann

Other Social Europe Publications

US election 2020
Corporate taxation in a globalised era
The transformation of work
The coronavirus crisis and the welfare state
Whither Social Rights in (Post-)Brexit Europe?

Social Europe Publishing book

With a pandemic raging, for those countries most affected by Brexit the end of the transition could not come at a worse time. Yet, might the UK's withdrawal be a blessing in disguise? With its biggest veto player gone, might the European Pillar of Social Rights take centre stage? This book brings together leading experts in European politics and policy to examine social citizenship rights across the European continent in the wake of Brexit. Will member states see an enhanced social Europe or a race to the bottom?

'This book correctly emphasises the need to place the future of social rights in Europe front and centre in the post-Brexit debate, to move on from the economistic bias that has obscured our vision of a progressive social Europe.' Michael D Higgins, president of Ireland


MORE INFO

Hans Böckler Stiftung Advertisement

Renewing labour relations in the German meat industry: an end to 'organised irresponsibility'?

Over the course of 2020, repeated outbreaks of Covid-19 in a number of large German meat-processing plants led to renewed public concern about the longstanding labour abuses in this industry. New legislation providing for enhanced inspection on health and safety, together with a ban on contract work and limitations on the use of temporary agency employees, holds out the prospect of a profound change in employment practices and labour relations in the meat industry. Changes in the law are not sufficient, on their own, to ensure decent working conditions, however. There is also a need to re-establish the previously high level of collective-bargaining coverage in the industry, underpinned by an industry-wide collective agreement extended by law to cover the entire sector.


FREE DOWNLOAD

ETUI advertisement

ETUI/ETUC (online) conference Towards a new socio-ecological contract 3-5 February 2021

The need to effectively tackle global warming puts under pressure the existing industrial relations models in Europe. A viable world of labour requires a new sustainability paradigm: economic, social and environmental.

The required paradigm shift implies large-scale economic and societal change and serious deliberation. All workers need to be actively involved and nobody should be left behind. Massive societal coalitions will have to be built for a shared vision to emerge and for a just transition, with fairly distributed costs, to be supported. But this is also an opportunity to redefine our societal goals and how they relate to the current focus on (green) growth.


REPLAY ALL SESSIONS

To access the videos, click on the chosen day then click on the ‘video’ button of your chosen session (plenary or panel). It will bring you immediately to the corresponding video. To access the available presentations, click on the chosen day then click on the ‘information’ button. Check the links to the available presentations.

Eurofound advertisement

Industrial relations: developments 2015-2019

Eurofound has monitored and analysed developments in industrial relations systems at EU level and in EU member states for over 40 years. This new flagship report provides an overview of developments in industrial relations and social dialogue in the years immediately prior to the Covid-19 outbreak. Findings are placed in the context of the key developments in EU policy affecting employment, working conditions and social policy, and linked to the work done by social partners—as well as public authorities—at European and national levels.


CLICK FOR MORE INFO

Foundation for European Progressive Studies Advertisement

FEPS Progressive Yearbook

Twenty-twenty has been an extraordinary year. The Covid-19 pandemic and the multidimensional crisis that it triggered have boosted existing trends and put forward new challenges. But they have also created unexpected opportunities to set a new course of action for the European Union and—hopefully—make a remarkable leap forward in European integration.

The second edition of the Progressive Yearbook, the yearly publication of the Foundation for European Progressive studies, revolves around the exceptional events of 2020 and looks at the social, economic and political impact they will have in 2021. It is a unique publication, which aims to be an instrument for the progressive family to reflect on the recent past and look ahead to our next future.


CLICK HERE

About Social Europe

Our Mission

Article Submission

Legal Disclosure

Privacy Policy

Copyright

Social Europe ISSN 2628-7641

Find Social Europe Content

Search Social Europe

Project Archive

Politics Archive

Economy Archive

Society Archive

Ecology Archive

.EU Web Awards