TRADE UNION AVOIDANCE VIA ‘DOUBLE BREASTING’ IN MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES
Patrick Gunnigle, Professor, Department of Personnel and Employment Relations, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Ireland
Jonathan Lavelle, Department of Personnel and Employment Relations, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Ireland
Anthony McDonnell, Department of Personnel and Employment Relations, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Ireland

Abstract
Double breasting refers to the practice whereby multi-establishment organizations currently operate unionised and non-union establishments. Using quantitative and qualitative evidence we find that a substantial and increasing number of unionised MNCs in Ireland are engaging in double breasting and explore the reasons for this phenomenon.
Keywords: multinational companies, trade unions, industrial relations