“Change and continuity” – the experience of trade unions in the cultural sector of the former Soviet Union
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01425450510626144 |
| Published date | 01 December 2005 |
| Pages | 613-623 |
| Date | 01 December 2005 |
| Author | Vladimir Kamen |
| Subject Matter | HR & organizational behaviour |
Change and
continuity
613
Employee Relations
Vol. 27 No. 6, 2005
pp. 613-623
#Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0142-5455
DOI 10.1108/01425450510626144
‘‘Change and continuity’’ – the
experience of trade unions in the
cultural sector of the
former Soviet Union
Vladimir Kamen
Deputy General Secretary, Consultative Council of Cultural Workers’ Unions,
Moscow, Russia
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to map the critical changes in the history of trade unionism in the
countires which until the late 80s early 90s formed the USSR, and spans a period from 1905 to 2005.
Design/methodology/approach – The author has chosen to assess the role of trade unions in the
former Soviet states by placing them into their historical context. The diversity of their development
in the various states is discussed and the painful transition journey they made in the after math of the
collapse of the Soviet Union is described as a means of explaining the structure and role they play in
the newly created democracies within the region.
Findings – The paper emphasizes the powerful and influential role that trade unions enjoyed under
the old regime when they were very much – de facto – an arm of the state machine. Their role
as overseers of social and welfare benefits and enforcers of health and safety regulations and
guardians of the Labour Code is compared with that in the post-communist period when the new
governments throughout the region quickly transferred those functions back to the state and in most
cases consciously set out to marginalize the unions. The paper summarizes the state of play of the
trade unions in the region as they seek to adapt to the new conditions and establisha new raison detra.
Research limitations/implications – The existing literature contains few accounts of trade union
activity and how it changed as a result of the collapse of communism in the former Soviet territories.
This study of the Cultural Workers Union provides a sound base from which to launch further
research into the development of free trade unions in other sectors of the region in the post-
communist period.
Originality/value – This paper’s primary value is that it starts to fill a gap in our understanding of
employee relations in the new democracies of what was the USSR and in particular the form that
trade unions have taken, the role they play and the challenges that they face.
Keywords Trade unions, Employee relations, Russia, Eastern Europe
Paper type Case study
2005 is a special year to many trade unionists throughout the for mer Soviet Union (and
throughout what used to be the Russian Empire), for at least two reasons. First, it is the
Russian trade unions’ centenary year. Second, the perestroika reforms that have
contributed a lot to ending the Communist experiment began exactly twenty years ago,
in 1985. I believe both anniversaries offer a unique chance for an insight into the past,
present – and maybe even the immediate future – of trade unionism in this part of the
world. What follows is a humble attempt at such an insight limited to the cultural
sector of the former Soviet Union.
Historical background: one hundred years in a page
I think I should begin with reminding the reader that the ‘‘core’’ Russian Empire had
known no freedom of association until the 1905 manifesto of tsar Nicholas II whereby
basic democratic rights and freedoms were granted to the empire’s subjects. Thus, until
that moment trade unions had been illegal de jure throughout the countr y save certain
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