Conference on Organized labour
Responses to the Conference Paper
Gosta Edgren
Swedish International Development Authority, Sweden
28 August 1998
Thank you for your message dated back in July. I left for home leave just a week before, and I returned this morning. To be very brief, I think the names you mention are very good, no objections. They will all be able to give good reports on conditions in Sweden. What is more important, however, is to get some more incisive comparative analysis which does not shy away from controversial aspects. For instance, Nordic unions have a very high degree of membership coverage, and remarkably stable considering that their redistributive role has diminished. The US unions on the other hand cover a shrinking part of the potential membership, in spite of social changes which would make union protection a very desirable public good for low-paid workers. The Nordic unions take a very conciliatory approach to redistributive disputes, leaving the really hard issues to political parties, US unions, on the other hand, do not shy away from confrontation and are prepared to fight to the hilt for even a small group of members. It would be interesting to see an honest and provocative discussion of what kind of protection the union offers for their members' jobs and incomes. This should of course cover the other countries mentioned in your outline as well. But I am afraid that no ILO study which has to pass the needle's eye of the reading committee will be able to raise these issues in the way they deserve to be discussed. Maybe the Institute does not have to wring its papers through the reading committee? If not, try to be provocative!
Wish you luck with the study. If you get any really stimulating stuff out of it, please remember me!
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