Strikes and Labour Conflicts in the 21st Century in Europe

Strikes and labour conflict are experiencing a resurgence in the twenty-first century, driven by economic crises, societal transformations and the evolving nature of work. With a European focus, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of strikes, revisiting classical theories while offering fresh insights into their contemporary dynamics. Drawing on diverse disciplines and methodologies, the volume examines the causes, dynamics and outcomes of strikes today. Each part of the book addresses a key dimension: economic and political factors, legal-institutional and societal contexts, the diversity of workers’ action repertoires and the organisational conditions of strikes. The contributors explore concrete topics such as the role of family support in strike participation, the use of overtime bans and task refusals as ‘action short of strike’ tactics and the overall effectiveness of strike actions. This book is essential reading for academics and students of industrial relations, political science and economics, as well as trade unions, employers and policymakers seeking to understand the complexities of modern labour conflict.