Union renewal through cross-border merger: Rationale, processes and challenges

A major challenge for trade unions is how to reposition themselves in order to counter the structural power of transnational capital. Unions seek this repositioning against the background of globalization and a new politico-economic order that is largely engineered by neoliberal nation-states and multinational capital. The agenda for renewal has, however, so far been confined largely within the national state, thus offering little effective challenge to internationally organized employers. This Research Note examines how two unions in the maritime sector, previously organizing in different countries, have sought to break from this tradition by merging to create a single cross-border union. It examines the rationale for, and the processes and challenges involved in, creating the cross-border merger and raises interesting questions for future research.