大象传媒

What is the place of trade unions in 2018? Are they the last line of defence for an increasingly precarious workforce or outmoded organisations that haven't adapted to the changing workplace?

What's clear is unions around the world are under mounting pressure. In France, President Macron is waging a fierce battle with the rail unions. In America, union fees are being challenged in the courts and union membership is in decline across the world.

James Coomarasamy discusses the relevance of unions with Edward Webster from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, Rachel Greszler from the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC and Mary Davis, Professor of labour history at Royal Holloway, University of London.

First - Mary Davis. Has the union adapted to the times?

(Photo of striking French railways workers by Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images)