Where Are the Unions?

The start of the 21st Century has been marked by global demands for economic justice. From the wave that swept through Latin America in the early 2000s, and the Arab revolutions from 2011, to the Occupy and anti-austerity movements in Europe and North America, the last 20 years have witnessed the birth of a new type of mass mobilisation. 'Where are the Unions?' compares, for the first time, the challenges faced by movements in Latin America, the Arab world and Europe. Workers' strikes and protests played a critical role in these mass movements, yet their role is significantly underestimated in many narratives of these events. This book focuses on the complex interactions between organised workers, the unemployed, self-employed, youth, students and the state, and critically assesses the concept of the 'precariat'. With contributions from across four continents, this is the most comprehensive look at the global context of mass mobilisation in the 21st Century.