OCCUPATIONAL TRADE UNIONISM
| SPAIN |
| SINDICALISMO PROFESIONAL OCCUPATIONAL TRADE UNIONISM |
Trade unionism which groups together workers in the same occupation or occupational category. In Spain as elsewhere it is to a certain extent the offspring of the craft unions, but differs from them in that it reflects a reaction against class trade unionism or industrial trade unions with the aim of more directly promoting the specific interests of particular groups of workers. Trade unions of this kind tend to be set up by occupational groups with high skill levels, strong bargaining power or very specific occupational interests and characteristics, as is the case in Spain with doctors and health personnel, maritime and airline workers, senior public servants, teachers, etc. In order to draw a sharper distinction from class trade unionism, the unions formed by these professionals are sometimes called "asociaciones profesionales" (professional associations). Occasionally, the term "occupational trade unionism" alludes to the trade union strategy of not interfering in the political process rather than to the group of workers represented; in this sense, many general trade unions claim to practise occupational trade unionism (e.g. ELA-STV, USO ). See public service union , professional and managerial staff .
Please note: the European industrial relations glossaries were compiled between 1991 and 2003 and are not updated. For current material see the European industrial relations dictionary.