From: ILWCH,
Call for papers
International Labor and Working-Class History
Volume 70 (Fall 2006)
Privatization of Public Workforces
Coordinating editor: Jennifer Klein
The privatization of public services is currently a world-wide phenomenon, but it also has a history. This issue of ILWCH will consider both historical episodes of privatization of public services and public workforces and the historical roots of more recent privatization struggles. This special issue will look at privatization through studies of public workforces and state formation; public sector unionism in service sectors (utilities, education, hospitals and health institutions, telecommunications, water, care work, prisons or police forces, and social welfare services), and welfare state services. Papers that address sub-contracting of state services would also fall within this theme. Papers on the political economy of privatization and the roots of anti-privatization struggles in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are encouraged. The year 2007 will mark the 100th anniversary of Public Services International (PSI), an international trade union federation for public sector unions in over 140 nations. Thus we are also interested in papers on the history of PSI and its struggles over public services and privatization.
Proposals:
If you would like to be considered for the ILWCH 2006 volume, please send paper proposals of 2-3 pages to the below address by June 25. First drafts of requested papers will be due October 26, 2005.
Jennifer Klein
Department of History
Yale University
P.O. Box 208324
New Haven, CT 06520