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Tobias Karlsson . Photo

Tobias Karlsson

Senior lecturer

Tobias Karlsson . Photo

Everywhere but in the Strike Statistics? : Wage Systems and Work Stoppages in Sweden, 1863-1927

Author

  • Tobias Karlsson

Editor

  • Massimo Asta
  • Pedro Ramos Pinto

Summary, in English

To what extent did employers' attempts to control work processes and increase work intensity by introducing new wage systems lead to labour conflicts in the decades around 1900? I adress this question by combining two approaches. Firstly, by reviewing newly digitized micro-level data on work stoppages in Sweden from 1863 to 1927. Secondly, by compiling case-study evidence on work processes and industrial relations on two industries in the same period: the tobacco industry and the shipbuilding industry. The quantitative approach shows that new wages systems were seldom mentioned in the strike statistics, but there are indications that workers' views on piece rates and bonus plans changed over time, from negative to positive. The case-study evidence from the two industries suggests that both indutries experienced rationalisation measures, including new wage systems, around World War I. These changes were controversial, but disputes were solved through negotiations rather than through open conflicts.

Department/s

  • Historical labour markets
  • Department of Economic History

Publishing year

2023

Language

English

Pages

163-181

Publication/Series

The Value of Work since the 18th Century : Custom, Conflict, Measurement and Theory

Document type

Book chapter

Publisher

Bloomsbury Academic

Topic

  • Economic History

Keywords

  • strikes
  • work stoppages
  • wage systems
  • Sweden
  • nineteenth century
  • twentieth century

Status

Published

Project

  • Historisk arbetslivsforskning
  • From Sundsvall to Saltsjöbaden: A regional perspective on strikes at the Swedish labor market
  • HALF: Historisk arbetslivsforskning

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISBN: 978-1-3503-3208-6
  • ISBN: 978-1-3503-3209-9
  • ISBN: 978-1-3503-3207-2