Does labour get online to mobilise young workers offline? A comparative analysis of the relationship of trade union congresses with young workers through the Internet in Europe and the Americas

Supervisor/s: Hermes Augusto Costa

Doctoral Programme: Labour Relations, Social Inequalities and Trade Unionism

Funding: FCT

The importance of organised labour in securing worker's rights across the globe is undeniable. However, the rise of neoliberal globalisation has caused significant changes to the labour market, and trade unions have had to respond and adapt to this new reality in order to maintain membership levels, ensure succession and retain their influence. Based on this context and taking into account the increasing ubiquity of the internet in people's lives, this research will investigate the success of trade union congresses in engaging with young workers through Web 2.0. A comparative study between Brazil, Canada, Portugal, and the UK, it will apply a mixed approach of digital methods, content analysis and focus groups to analyse the impact that trade union online activity has had in engaging young workers and integrating them into the organised labour movement.