This article offers a systematic comparison of strategic responses of Austrian
and German unions to an emergent sector. It aims to increase understanding of
both union movements, and also to contribute conceptually to the study of the
varieties of unionism. The concept of `core strategies' facilitates more
systematic comparisons of unions' strategic responses to apparently similar
challenges and helps explain why — despite many similarities in their
industrial relations systems and the uniform development of the call centre
sector in both countries — the strategic responses of Austrian and
German unions differ remarkably in terms of content, priority and timing.