Organizing unionism comes to the UK
Abstract
The concept of an “organizing model” of trade unionism has shaped union strategies for revitalization in a number of countries in recent years. This article examines the transfer of “organizing unionism” to the UK in two ways. It presents findings from a survey of unions to identify the extent to which the organizing model is influencing national recruitment policy and presents case studies of three union campaigns which have drawn upon the organizing model, in an attempt to assess its strengths and weaknesses in a UK context. The survey results indicate only limited take‐up of the organizing model, though there is a group of vanguard unions which have embraced it with enthusiasm. The case studies demonstrate some success in applying the model, though identify employer resistance and internal opposition as significant constraints.
Keywords
Citation
Heery, E., Simms, M., Simpson, D., Delbridge, R. and Salmon, J. (2000), "Organizing unionism comes to the UK", Employee Relations, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 38-57. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005307
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited