Public sector collective bargaining in 2018: Mass-mobilisation and cross-sectorial solidarity

Abstract

The public sector collective bargaining round in the spring of 2018 became one of the most highly dramatic negotiation rounds in the history of the sector. In this article we investigate why 2018 became close to an all-out industrial confl ict in the public sector involving both strikes and lockouts including almost all public employees. By using interviews with key negotiators from both the employers and employees organizations in combination with desk research we fi nd that the previous collective bargaining rounds play a pivotal role in the outcome of the negotiations. We also find – with point of departure in power resources theory – that the labour movement were able to activate strong organizational power resources by the mobilising rank-and-fi le members and through cross-sectorial solidarity.