| Popis: |
The thesis examines the National Accord undertaking between the American central labour federation (AFL-CIO) and the Carter White House, in the light of their respective political strategies. The Accord provides a focal point and a point of departure for the study of the evolving political organization and activity of organized labour nationally, within the changing contours of American national government and politics. The study is placed in the context of broader theories of state-labour relations in the advanced industrialized democracies of the West.The thesis explains the changing character and role of the AFL-CIO as the broadest level of representative aggregation within the labour sector, and labour's changing ties to the Democratic Party, role in presidential politics and special status within Congress. Also examined are selected characteristics of the Carter presidency and the changing policypolitical strategy of the Carter White House toward organized labour, from a relatively isolated mode of policymaking to extensive consultation and policy concessions through the Accord negotiations.The Accord was a political exchange whereby the labour leadership participated in the wage restraint programme in return for consultative rights and specific quid pro quo policies, including countercyclical measures to offset fiscal austerity. The President subsequently sustained a policy of fiscal and monetary restraint despite the approaching election and the increasing protests of organized labour. However, in the face of strong opposition from some of Carter's senior economists, the labour leaders secured significant modifications to the second year of the pay standard. The 1980 presidential election renewed incentives for continuing cooperation when economic policy otherwise jeopardized relations. |
