Trade Unions International Gewerkschaften International Internationale Politikanalyse Frank Hantke Trade Unions in the 21 st Century A Discussion Handbook for Trade Unions in the Transition Countries The political and economic circumstances in the transition countries changed substantially after the turning point in the 1990s. To date the transformation process is far from being completed. This also applies to the trade unions. Their tasks and possibilities in relation to interest pro­tection have changed fundamentally after the collapse of the socialist economic order. Trade unions today have to act as independent interest advocacies competing for members and political influence. Following the transition processes, moreover, a dramatic change of the working environment and the employment conditions has taken place. Accordingly, the organisational structure of the trade unions shall be put on the test stand here in order to find ways, together with the relevant actors, to meet the‘old’ trade unions’ objectives in the future. There is no patent medicine for the renewal and adoption processes. The country specific framework conditions of the transition states rather call for individual solutions that are, however, founded on the principle tasks of the unions. There does not exist a model which can be im­ported from outside. However, the courage and the creativity of‘out­siders’ can help to ensure the success of the unions’ future. JULY 2009