Documents Bergene, Ann Cecilie 2 results

"In this article it is argued that the strategy of the Norwegian Nurses Organisation in relation to temporary agency work represents a critical intervention. The strategy addresses the need to challenge hegemonic ideas about working women, especially professionals, including the association of unionism and militancy with men, masculinity and manliness, which might undermine any attempt at union revitalization. The article thus contributes to the gendering of the union renewal debate, while also adding to our understanding of professionals in the labour movement. The analysis is conducted in a ‘retroductive' manner, posing the question of why an unexpected turn in the strategy of the NNO towards temporary work agencies came to pass. "

"The article synthesizes the literature on union commitment and union renewal through employing the concept of union apathy. This is done with a view to analyse the association between union strategies and union apathy, and the association between apathy and willingness to become a union delegate in Norway. To this end, the authors have run multivariate regressions on the YS Employment Outlook Survey. Results show that union strategy is significantly associated with apathy, and that apathetic union members are less willing to work for their union in the capacity of union delegate. The authors conclude that if unions are to counter apathy in an effort at renewal, and to ensure a sufficient pool of potential union delegates, they must mobilize the talents, ideas and energy of their members. Finally, the authors suggest that unions with an ‘organizing' soul seem better equipped to counter apathy than unions bent on the ‘servicing' model. "