The local union in Soviet industry: Its relations with members, party, and management.

During the past year, Professor Brown spent almost three months in the Soviet Union, pursuing her interest in the industrial relations system of that country. This article reports her findings on the nature of unionism at the plant and shop levels, based on observations made in a variety of industries. These findings contrast markedly with earlier appraisals of the role of the trade union in Soviet industry. Although unions must conform to the broad objectives of the state, the author finds that the function of protecting workers' rights and interests is becoming increasingly important, that the powers as well as the responsibilities of the local unions (or factory committees) have been enlarged, and that union leadership at the "grass-roots" level has become more representative of, and possibly more acceptable to, the workers which it represents. Much of this change in the role of unions resulted from important changes in 1957-1958 in Soviet policy on the organization of industry, including labor organization. For additional background on this development and a discussion of its implications for labor relations in the Soviet Union, the reader is referred to the author's earlier article, "Labor Relations in Soviet Factories," in the January 1958 issue of this "Review," pp. 183-202. (Author's abstract courtesy EBSCO.)