What About the Workers

This text questions the common belief that Russia is in transition to capitalism and looks behind the political and ideological debates to focus on the development of the real lives of the workers. The contributors come to the conclusion that beneath the political turmoil Russia has not managed to overcome the challenge presented by the working class - that, in fact, the struggle over the transformation of class is only just beginning. The book includes an analysis of the role of trade unions in the former Soviet system, and explores the development of the workers' movement in Russia since 1987.