Case Studies in Informal Collective Labour Disputes Resolution in Shenzhen: Emergence of Real Collective Bargaining?

This project examines whether there is any sign, based on detailed case studies, of a progression from cycles of labour unrest at the workplace level, to bargained agreements between employers and employees which dissipate or regulate such conflicts based on regular renegotiations of agreements. Through case studies in disputes settlement in China based on bargaining between employers and their workers, involving third parties who are not state functionaries, we will analyse the different stages in the agreement process. This progresses from initial dispute and its causes, through involvement of third parties, to dispute settlement through a collective agreement and then examine the post-agreement phase in a number of case studies. Finally a year after the initial agreement we will assess whether the agreement is renewed, under what circumstances and whether there is any movement towards formalised continual labour relations based on collective agreement bargaining.