Abstract: Current research tends to suggest that industrial relations in Central and Eastern Europe are characterized by a pattern of labour quiescence. Focusing on four recent industrial protests in Lithuania, this paper argues that high levels of material deprivation, the aggressive pursuit of neo-liberal policy agendas and repressive trade union legislation are now undermining this pattern of labour quiescence. The paper concludes that the emergence of a politicized class-orientation in industrial protests in Lithuania, which is paralleling these developments is offering opportunities to trade unions to reposition themselves in the context of the post-accession enlarged Europe.
International Journal of Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations