Economic expansion and structural change

LO enjoys an international reputation as a trade union movement with progressive ideas on wage policy and collective bargaining. In the past genera tion the Swedish labour market parties have been remarkably active in evolving codes of conduct, and the unions have played their part by developing policies for union government and organisation which condemn restrictive unionism and encourage productivity. The present 'manifesto' shows what a broad view the LO unions now take of industrial relations and economic policy, for it presents a systematic exposition of recent trade union thought in Sweden on the problems of economic growth and on the structural changes in the economy for which it will call.

In Sweden the 'manifesto' has immediately become the focus of lively debate. The authors, who are trade union economists, deal critically with credit policy; plead for free trade; are outspoken on company taxation, wage policy, the labour market and the location of industry. They emphasise the positive role which the unions must now play, and the 'manifesto' faces squarely the problems of redundancy in contracting industries and the need for a constructive employment policy. Aid to the under-developed countries is given high priority as a policy objective.

Throughout, the authors are outspoken in their emphasis on growth and change, which they interpret as change in the outlook of the unions as well as in that of industry and of the government. This is a book from a particularly interesting source which deals directly with some of our most vital problems today.