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Organizing unionism comes to the UK

Edmund Heery, Melanie Simms, Dave Simpson, Rick Delbridge, John Salmon

Employee Relations

ISSN: 0142-5455

Article publication date: 1 February 2000

4069

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

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited

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