Organizing young workers under precarious conditions: what hinders or facilitates union success?

Simms, M. , Eversberg, D., Dupuy, C. and Hipp, L. (2018) Organizing young workers under precarious conditions: what hinders or facilitates union success? Work and Occupations, 45(4), pp. 420-450. (doi: 10.1177/0730888418785947)

Abstract

Under what conditions do young precarious workers join unions? Based on case studies from France, Germany, the UK and US, we identify targeted campaigns, coalition building, membership activism, and training activities as innovative organizing approaches. In addition to traditional issues such as wages and training quality, these approaches also featured issues specific to precarious workers, including skills training, demands for minimum working hours, and specific support in insecure employment situations. Organizing success is influenced by bargaining structures, occupational identity, labor market conditions, and support by union leaders and members. Innovative organizing tends to happen when unions combine new approaches with existing structures.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Simms, Professor Melanie
• Authors: Simms, M., Eversberg, D., Dupuy, C., and Hipp, L.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: Work and Occupations
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0730-8884
• ISSN (Online): 1552-8464
• Published Online: 04 July 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Work and Occupations 45(4):420-450
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy