Advocating Social Europe against Market Europe. The framing of the Viking and Laval cases by the European Trade Union Confederation

The article focuses on the framing processes of the “Viking” and “Laval” cases made by the European Trade Union Confederation during their examination by the Court of Justice of the European union (2005-2006). Judged in December 2007, the two cases became a major symbol of the social deficit of the European integration, because of the primacy given by the judges to economic freedoms over trade union rights. By analyzing the construction of the cause of Social Europe against Market Europe, this study explains the framing operations performed by the European trade unionists and their lawyers before the two judgments. It shows why these frames were chosen by these actors and the specific European political context in which their mobilization takes place.