Imagined solidarities: Where is class in union organising?

Simms, M. (2012) Imagined solidarities: Where is class in union organising? Capital and Class, 36(1), pp. 97-115. (doi: 10.1177/0309816811430840)

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Abstract

This paper argues that the ‘turn to organising’ in British unions over the past decade has largely ignored the broader questions of the purpose of such activity. As a consequence, unions have mainly focused on building solidarities between workers in their individual workplaces rather than developing a wider view of workers’ interests and the objectives of that solidarity. Using Hyman’s typology of union identities (2001), it is evident that ‘class’ identity has largely been sidelined in debates about union renewal in Britain. The paper argues that this limits the scope of union renewal both in practice and in theory.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Simms, Professor Melanie
Authors: Simms, M.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
Journal Name:Capital and Class
Publisher:SAGE
ISSN:0309-8168
ISSN (Online):2041-0980

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