Abstract
In France, trade union officers are former shop stewards who have chosen to work full-time for the union for several years. This research investigates the career transitions of former union officers who have returned to the labour market following extended experience with high-level responsibilities in the union. Semi-directed interviews were conducted with 23 subjects and were analysed using thematic content analyses. The results indicate the existence of different perceptions of the career change and four types of transitions that are dependent on the level of support provided by the union and individual expectations regarding new jobs.
Résumé
La transition professionnelle après une longue expérience comme permanent syndical : Une étude qualitative. En France, les responsables permanents des syndicats sont d’anciens militants qui ont choisi de travailler à temps complet pour le syndicat. La recherche présentée concerne les transitions professionnelles vers le marché du travail, des anciens permanents qui ont eu des responsabilités importantes dans le syndicat. 23 personnes ont été interviewées par entretiens semi-directifs, traités par analyse de contenu thématique. Les résultats mettent au jour la perception qu’ils ont de leur changement de carrière et l’existence de quatre types de transition professionnelles selon le niveau de soutien du syndicat et les attentes à l’égard d’un nouvel emploi.
Zusammenfassung
Karriereveränderungen nach langer Erfahrung als Gewerkschaftsoffizier: Eine qualitative Studie. In Frankreich sind Gewerkschaftsoffiziere ehemalige Vertrauensleute, welche beschlossen haben, hauptberuflich für mehrere Jahre für die Gewerkschaft zu arbeiten. Diese Studie untersucht die Karriereveränderungen von ehemaligen Gewerkschaftsoffizieren, mit längerer Erfahrung und hochrangiger Verantwortung in der Gewerkschaft, welche zum allgemeinen Stellenmarkt zurückgekehrt sind. Es wurden mit 23 Personen halb-strukturierte Interviews durchgeführt und mit Hilfe thematischer Inhaltsanalysen analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Existenz verschiedener Wahrnehmungen von Karriereveränderungen auf. Zudem wurden vier Typen von Veränderungen identifiziert, welche sowohl vom Unterstützungslevel, das von der Gewerkschaft bereitgestellt wird als auch von individuellen Erwartungen an die neue Arbeit, abhängig sind.
Resumen
Transición de la carrera profesional tras una larga experiencia como dirigente sindical: Un estudio cualitativo. En Francia, los dirigentes sindicales son exdelegados sindicales que han elegido trabajar a tiempo completo durante unos años en una organización sindical. Este estudio investiga la transición de la carrera profesional de exdelegados sindicales que han vuelto a incorporarse al mercado laboral tras una amplia experiencia y responsabilidad en los sindicatos. Se realizaron 23 entrevistas semidirigidas que posteriormente fueron tratadas utilizando análisis de contenido temático. Los resultados indican la existencia de diferentes percepciones del cambio de carrera profesional y cuatro tipos de transición dependiendo del nivel de apoyo facilitado por el sindicato y de las expectativas individuales con respecto a un nuevo empleo.
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Notes
This law mandates negotiation on the career development of employees with responsibilities at the union and on the exercise of their functions. (Art. I.2242-20 created by law no. 2008-789 dated 20 August 2008-art.7).
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Cohen-Scali, V. Career transitions after a long experience as trade union officer: a qualitative study. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 16, 405–423 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-015-9319-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-015-9319-1