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Kim Scipes, ed., Building Global Labor Solidarity in a Time of Accelerating Globalization (Chicago: Haymarket Books 2016)
THIS COLLECTION PUT together by longtime scholar and activist Kim Scipes addresses labour internationalism in a time of accelerated globalization. The perspective is critical and dialectical, in the sense that it considers globalization as both a vector for neoliberalism and an opportunity for a renewed resistance, in particular from trade unions. The book does not take the labour movement as a homogenous bloc, though, and it explicitly focuses on cases of progressive unions and on their potential to build labour internationalism from below. The volume offers seven case studies, based on unions in North America (Canada, Mexico, and the US), Latin America and Asia (the Philippines and Bangladesh). Although the chapters vary greatly in terms of scope and approaches, they provide valuable insights and reflections on a crucial issue.
The book starts with a theoretical chapter signed by the editor. Those already familiar with Scipes' work will recognize his concern for "globalization from below" inspired by Nederveen Pieterse. Also typical of his approach is the association between the types of unionism practiced at the local/national level and at the international level. Whereas business unionism is considered an obstacle to genuine international labour solidarity, social justice unions are the ones to consider when searching for a more egalitarian, inclusive, and bottom-up internationalism. The chapter provides an interesting distinction between three levels of internationalisms, depending on how transformative they aim at being. That leads to a typology of nine types of labour internationalisms mostly based on their goals, from improving wages to broader political objectives.
Katherine Nastovski's chapter will be of particular...