ABSTRACT

After many years of indifferent decline, trade union membership is now being revitalized; strategies known as ‘union organizing’ are being used to recruit and re-energize unions around the globe. This book considers exactly how trade unions are working to do this and provides a much-needed evaluation of these rebuilding strategies.

By comparing historical and contemporary case studies to assess the impact of various organizing campaigns, this book assesses the progress of unions across Europe and America. It raises key debates about the organizing culture and considers the impact of recent union recognition laws on employers and the government's Fairness at Work policy.
A topical and in-depth study into the experiences of trade unions across Europe and America, this is a comprehensive and thought provoking book which is essential reading for those in the industrial relations field.

chapter 1|18 pages

Introduction

chapter 3|17 pages

Organizing in the offshore oil and gas industry in Britain, c. 1972–1990

A long burning flame or a spark that has gone out?

chapter 7|19 pages

Organizing in electronics: recruitment, recognition and representation – shadow shop stewards in Scotland’s ‘Silicon Glen’

Recruitment, recognition and representation – shadow shop stewards in Scotland’s “Silicon Glen”

chapter 8|20 pages

Organizing in transport and travel

Learning lessons from TSSA’s Seacat campaign

chapter 9|20 pages

Call center organizing in adversity

From Excell to Vertex

chapter 10|18 pages

Comparisons and prospects

Industrial relations and trade unions in North America and Britain

chapter 12|17 pages

Union recognition in Germany

A dual system of industrial relations with two recognition problems

chapter 13|16 pages

Conclusion

Drawing up a balance sheet