New technologies and trade union rights

This paper has an optimistic attitude about the impact of new technologies, including digital technology, in protecting workers’ collective interests. It distinguishes digital workers from those employed in traditional manufacturing sectors. It goes on to point out that while the physical place (the...

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Main Author: Mariella Magnani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Bologna 2019-12-01
Series:Labour & Law Issues
Subjects:
Online Access:https://labourlaw.unibo.it/article/view/10211
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author Mariella Magnani
author_facet Mariella Magnani
author_sort Mariella Magnani
collection DOAJ
description This paper has an optimistic attitude about the impact of new technologies, including digital technology, in protecting workers’ collective interests. It distinguishes digital workers from those employed in traditional manufacturing sectors. It goes on to point out that while the physical place (the factory), which facilitated union activity in the former sectors, has disappeared, this does not imply the end of collective interests or the complete fragmentation of employment relations. Examples inItalyinclude the spontaneous assembly of riders working via food delivery apps and collective activities exploiting the potential of the web and of digital platforms. For workers employed in traditional manufacturing contexts, the exercise of trade union rights, especially those under Title III of the Workers' Statute, could be facilitated by the web and by the immediate and generalised access to virtual spaces. However, the paper also discusses whether the current configuration of trade union rights based on physical spaces is obsolete or whether they merely need to be re-interpreted. Finally, the paper briefly reflects on the role of trade unions, which will not be marginalised if they are able to embrace these new technologies.
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spelling doaj.art-52d56c06ce0842c6a5ccc7ffaf870d882022-12-22T01:55:17ZengUniversity of BolognaLabour & Law Issues2421-26952019-12-01521810.6092/issn.2421-2695/102118657New technologies and trade union rightsMariella Magnani0Università di PaviaThis paper has an optimistic attitude about the impact of new technologies, including digital technology, in protecting workers’ collective interests. It distinguishes digital workers from those employed in traditional manufacturing sectors. It goes on to point out that while the physical place (the factory), which facilitated union activity in the former sectors, has disappeared, this does not imply the end of collective interests or the complete fragmentation of employment relations. Examples inItalyinclude the spontaneous assembly of riders working via food delivery apps and collective activities exploiting the potential of the web and of digital platforms. For workers employed in traditional manufacturing contexts, the exercise of trade union rights, especially those under Title III of the Workers' Statute, could be facilitated by the web and by the immediate and generalised access to virtual spaces. However, the paper also discusses whether the current configuration of trade union rights based on physical spaces is obsolete or whether they merely need to be re-interpreted. Finally, the paper briefly reflects on the role of trade unions, which will not be marginalised if they are able to embrace these new technologies.https://labourlaw.unibo.it/article/view/10211new technologiesdigital workerscollective rightscollective action
spellingShingle Mariella Magnani
New technologies and trade union rights
Labour & Law Issues
new technologies
digital workers
collective rights
collective action
title New technologies and trade union rights
title_full New technologies and trade union rights
title_fullStr New technologies and trade union rights
title_full_unstemmed New technologies and trade union rights
title_short New technologies and trade union rights
title_sort new technologies and trade union rights
topic new technologies
digital workers
collective rights
collective action
url https://labourlaw.unibo.it/article/view/10211
work_keys_str_mv AT mariellamagnani newtechnologiesandtradeunionrights