Between the state and market: Multiple roles of the Chinese trade unions from the perspectives of shop stewards

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the changing perspectives of Chinese trade unions towards labour rights and interest, through exploring the nature of Chinese trade unions from the aspect of shop stewards, or enterprise union cadres. These opinions can explain the nature and orientation of unions towards representation and rights protection for workers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a survey of 1,811 enterprise union chairpersons, which is analysed by variable interaction analysis through statistical package for social sciences.

Findings

Enterprise trade unions have realised the importance of labour representation and are willing to undertake actions for labour rights and interests in the companies. Enterprise union cadres tend to change the union for more autonomy and effectiveness in safeguarding collective labour rights at the workplaces. The enterprise union chairpersons have been learning how to use this multiple role of the Chinese trade union for pursuing the rights and interests of their own members. However, for shop stewards, it is essential for their unions to focus on inside‐company issues, rather than allocating energy or attention to outside issues, which are the duty of upper‐level unions.

Research limitations/implications

Over half of the survey, companies are either state‐owned enterprises or small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises. This undermines the credibility of this research for explaining the situation in all kinds of companies in China. Meanwhile, the survey collects opinions and judgements from the enterprise union chairpersons, while ignoring those of the company managers and workers. This biased perception can then only present the minds and behaviour orientations of the union at the enterprise level.

Originality/value

This paper offers a pioneer study on shop stewards in the Chinese workplace through a large sample survey.

Citation

Qiao, J. (2010), "Between the state and market: Multiple roles of the Chinese trade unions from the perspectives of shop stewards", Employee Relations, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 28-41. https://doi.org/10.1108/01425451011002743