Intervening in globalization: the spatial possibilities and institutional barriers to labour's collective agency

Cumbers, A. , Featherstone, D., MacKinnon, D., Ince, A. and Strauss, K. (2016) Intervening in globalization: the spatial possibilities and institutional barriers to labour's collective agency. Journal of Economic Geography, 16(1), pp. 93-108. (doi: 10.1093/jeg/lbu039)

Abstract

Trade unions are facing a series of challenges around place-based forms of work in industries such as construction, transport and public services. New spatial strategies by employers involving corporate reorganization, increased outsourcing and the use of migrant labour, allied to a deepening of neoliberal governance processes are accelerating a race to the bottom in wages and conditions. Drawing upon the experience of two recent labour disputes in the UK—at Heathrow Airport and Lindsey Oil Refinery—we explore the potential for workers to intervene in such globalizing processes. We highlight both the ability of grassroots workers to mobilize their own spatial networks but also their limitations in an increasingly hostile neoliberal landscape.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The research on which this paper was based was produced with the financial assistance of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation for the project ‘‘Globalisation and Communities’’.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ince, Dr Anthony and Cumbers, Professor Andrew and Featherstone, Professor David and MacKinnon, Dr Daniel and Strauss, Dr Kendra
• Authors: Cumbers, A., Featherstone, D., MacKinnon, D., Ince, A., and Strauss, K.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences; College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: Journal of Economic Geography
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 1468-2702
• ISSN (Online): 1468-2710
• Published Online: 14 October 2014