Trade union recognition by MNCs: evidence of an underlying rationale in UK petrochemicals

Recently, there has been a move to use a 'fine-grained' approach to the study of the multinational companies (MNCs). In this paper, we examine in depth a significant part of the maintenance activities in the process plants of petrochemical MNCs in the UK. While the MNCs have de-recognized...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Labor history 2015-08, Vol.56 (4), p.499-520
Main Authors: Ritson, Neil H., Wilson, Mark M.J., Maclean, Gillis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acknowledgment
Chemical industry
Labor unions
Legitimacy
MNCs
Multinational corporations
oil
Petrochemicals
Petrochemicals industry
Petroleum industry
trade unions
Union membership
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Summary:Recently, there has been a move to use a 'fine-grained' approach to the study of the multinational companies (MNCs). In this paper, we examine in depth a significant part of the maintenance activities in the process plants of petrochemical MNCs in the UK. While the MNCs have de-recognized their internal trade unions, and out-sourced maintenance to on-site contractors, we find that such work is still linked to trade union recognition. In this sector, the MNCs have in general adopted a national agreement for their on-site contractors. This paper discusses and evaluates the changing situation and provides a unique contribution to theory regarding the rationale behind trade union recognition in that isomorphism underlies the national recognition for trade unions in the sector and, given the changing political situation in the UK, we argue this is ultimately based on legitimacy-seeking.
ISSN:0023-656X
1469-9702
DOI:10.1080/0023656X.2016.1086561