NAFTA and the politics of labor transnationalism / Tamara Kay.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 285-302) and index.

Introduction: NAFTA and labor transnationalism -- Part I. The Emergence of Transnationalism: Labor nationalism: diplomacy and distance among unions prior to NAFTA; NAFTA as catalyst: constituting transnational actors and interests; Constituting transnational labor rights; Seizing the opportunity NAFTA provided -- Part II. Variations in Transnationalism: Missing the opportunity NAFTA provided; Explaining variation in the emergence of labor transnationalism -- Part III. Conclusions: Global governance and labor transnationalism.

"How did NAFTA catalyze solidarity among U.S., Canadian, and Mexican unions? By showing how transnational laws and governance institutions constrain and expand transnational social movements, this book argues that, collectively, unions can help shape how the rules governing the global economy are made."

"When NAFTA went into effect in 1994, many feared it would intensify animosity among North American unions, lead to the scapegoating of Mexican workers and immigrants, and eclipse any possibility for cross-border labor cooperation. But far from polarizing workers, NAFTA unexpectedly helped stimulate labor transnationalism among key North American unions and erode union policies and discourses rooted in racism. The emergence of labor transnationalism in North America presents compelling political and sociological and puzzles: How did NAFTA, the concrete manifestation of globalization processes in North America, help deepen labor solidarity on the continent? And why did some unions more readily engage in transnational collaboration and embrace internationalism than others? In addition to making the provocative argument that global governance institutions can play a pivotal role in the development of transnational social movements, this book suggests that globalization need not undermine labor movements: collectively, unions can help shape how the rules governing the global economy are made."