An American solution to an Irish problem: a consideration of the material conditions that shape the architecture of union organizing
Geary, John F. ; Gamwell, Sophie
2019
33
2
April
191-207
trade union ; trade union renewal ; low wages ; working poor
Trade unionism
https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017016686024
English
Bibliogr.
"New models of union organizing have become an important instrument of union growth and renewal. We examine the transfer of US-developed organizing practices to Ireland. We enquire whether the practical experiences of SIPTU can be considered successful. In particular, we focus on the question: in what way is the architecture of union organizing shaped by the material conditions that affect workers' power? We look at three campaigns across three low-wage sectors (hotels, red meat processing and contract cleaning). The campaigns share a number of common properties, but differ in respect of the power resources available to employees and the shape of their outcomes. Using a most similar systems comparative research design, we identify a variety of causes which help explain the success and shape of the different organizing campaigns. Finally, we make a number of arguments in respect of how our findings link to debates about the future of trade unionism. "
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