Trade Unions - Government: A Relationship in Crisis. The Romanian Case of a Double Dismissal

Abstract

The transition process pursued since 1989 by Eastern European countries also entails the transformation of the role of trade unions from an institution designed to maintain control over the workforce and to provide different social benefits towards an organization authorized to fight for labour rights, better working conditions and higher wages. The present study examines the path taken by Romanian trade unions, observing their successes and failures and tries to explain why the Romanian labour movement finds itself in a weak position nowadays. On one hand, this situation is explained by
the actions of trade unions? leaders who placed their private interests above the interests of those they represent, and on the other hand, it is due to the government?s stance which promotes companies' needs at the expense of the workforce.