Changes in the role of the trade union in the Hungarian printing industry. A transition from socialism to market economy
| Pages | 566-580 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01425450510626108 |
| Date | 01 December 2005 |
| Published date | 01 December 2005 |
| Author | Janos Aczel |
| Subject Matter | HR & organizational behaviour |
ER
27,6
566
Employee Relations
Vol. 27 No. 6, 2005
pp. 566-580
#Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0142-5455
DOI 10.1108/01425450510626108
Changes in the role of the trade
union in the Hungarian printing
industry
A transition from socialism to market
economy
Janos Aczel
President, Hungarian Graphical Workers’ Union, Budapest, Hungary
Abstract
Purpose – This paper sets out to describe the experiences of the Hungarian Trade Unions as they
adapted to the political and economic changes of the post-communist period. The paper lucidly
explains how and why the trade union movement in Hungary made the transition from being a majo r
player in every aspect of political, economic and social life in the old regime, to being a mere shadow
of its former self in the early.
Design/methodology/approach – The author paints a vivid picture of ‘‘how’’ and ‘‘why’’ the trade
unions were perceived in the ‘‘golden age of Socialism’’. He then explains why dissatisfaction and
disillusionment of the workers grew as living standards and real income declined and Western
Capitalism became more attractive. After the initial aphorism following the overthrow of
communism, the Author analyses why many Hungarian workers by the late 90s yearned for a
return to the securities and paternalism of the Ka
´da
´r era.
Findings – This Paper systematically traces the steps from Socialism to Capitalism in Hungary
and the impact this had on organized labour. The author notes the paradox that at exactly the time
that trade unions were rationalizing and merging into mega trade unions in the West, the newly freed
trade union movement in Hungary and elsewhere in the CEE countries fragmentized and formed a
multitude of small unions many of which would fold in months rather than years. The point is made
that the transition to a neo-liberal economic and political system led almost immediately in Hungary
to falling standard of living and rising job insecurity.
Research limitations/implications – The account given in this paper of the changing nature of
employee relations in Hungary spanning the communist and post-communist periods provides
researchers with a sound base to explore further the paradoxes to which the author has referred.
Originality/value – This paper provides a welcome, human account of what the changes and their
consequences were for ordinary working people and their families and – most important – what they
meant for organized labour in terms of its ability to enhance working peoples quality of life in
Hungary.
Keywords Hungary, Trade unions, Employee relations, Works councils, Europe
Paper type Case study
In the 1970s and 1980s, during the so-called ‘‘Ka
´da
´r-regime’’ unions were an integral
part of political power in Hungary. The communist regime guaranteed that unions had
the right to represent the interests of industrial and ag ricultural workers, as well as of
the intelligentsia.
As long as unions were willing to work according to the r ules and regulations set up
by the communist party, the political power guaranteed their rights. No one could
question the sanctity of state property, the wages and salaries were controlled by the
state, companies had to follow centralized working time regulations, but no decision
related to labour issues was taken wi thout prior consultation with the industrial union s
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