Multi-scalar trade unionism: Lessons from maritime unions

Increasingly unions have to address the challenges of global work and employment relations; to meet this objective, some unions are developing multi-scalar approaches. The question for unions is to what extent they either have leverage or the potential to exercise power in relation to state and corporate decisions and strategies. The argument is that unions face challenges as collective actors, where multinational capital, supported by states, increasingly defines the work and employment relations of workplaces. One response is to organize to promote the definition and deployment of coordination practices. The focus is on the Australian maritime industry and the main union, the Maritime Union of Australia, as well as the International Transport Federation, the global union. This study provides important lessons for multi-level organization and campaigning by unions to realize their capacities.