How I Became a Trade Unionist: Comparative Study of Life Stories of Young Trade Union Members in Georgia and Germany

Nino NATROSHVILI

Diplomová práce

What Role for Trade Unions: Comparative Study of Perceptions Towards Trade Unions among Young Service Sector Workers in Tbilisi and Berlin

Abstract:

Trade unions are experiencing membership erosion. To what extent they will manage to stay relevant will depend on attracting underrepresented groups of people, including and particularly young people. Engaging them can be decisive for trade unions' survival, as they are going to be the main contributors in the future working world. The purpose of this study is to explore the young trade union members' life stories, their motivations and worldviews which inspired them to get engaged. We investigate the experiences of Georgian and German youngsters through semi-structured in-depth interviews. A variety of influences can be identified, such as: their social context, labour experiences and socio-political views. They have strong sense of social justice and willingness to contribute to positive changes. It is evident that trade unions need to reinforce their participation at decisive phases of young peoples' lives, such as first labour experiences and at educational institutions, as well as they need to strengthen support for youth trade union organizations.

Abstract:

Trade unions are experiencing membership erosion. To what extent they will manage to stay relevant will depend on attracting underrepresented groups of people, including and particularly young people. Engaging them can be decisive for trade unions' survival, as they are going to be the main contributors in the future working world. The purpose of this study is to explore the young trade union members' life stories, their motivations and worldviews which inspired them to get engaged. We investigate the experiences of Georgian and German youngsters through semi-structured in-depth interviews. A variety of influences can be identified, such as: their social context, labour experiences and socio-political views. They have strong sense of social justice and willingness to contribute to positive changes. It is evident that trade unions need to reinforce their participation at decisive phases of young peoples' lives, such as first labour experiences and at educational institutions, as well as they need to strengthen support for youth trade union organizations.

Keywords

Trade unions, Young activists, Life stories, Georgia, Germany

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 31. 8. 2020

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: doc. Mgr. Antonín Kalous, M.A., Ph.D.

UNIVERZITA PALACKÉHO V OLOMOUCI

Filozofická fakulta

Magisterský studijní program / obor:
Humanities / Euroculture