The authors introduce the concept of political congruence and apply it to the Amalgamated Enginee... more The authors introduce the concept of political congruence and apply it to the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU), during rearmament and war. Political congruence requires the alignment of union leaders, activists and members with a common political project. This is likely to bring strategic renewal, as was the case in the AEU. A platform of left reform developed as the influence
In this paper we review the workplace battleground and explore the
potential of social media for ... more In this paper we review the workplace battleground and explore the potential of social media for mobilizing social movements in labour conflicts and beyond. By conducting a case study with empirical accounts obtained from the 2010/2011 British Airways cabin crew dispute in the UK, along with secondary sources, we discern social media in the workplace as a contested field. Inquiring into the unfolding dynamic of social media and workplace conflict, we investigate the mobilizing prospects of theoretical concepts like ‘distributed discourse’ and ‘accelerated pluralism’ through the analytical prism of our interviews (Bimber, 1998; Greene et al, 2003). Our analysis of these empirical accounts will tease out certain empowering potentials in the use of social media to shape discourse and mobilize movement. However, we also note that these same communicative actions may challenge internal union authority, generate counter-mobilizing efforts and constitute an integral part in exposing both our private and working lives to the processes of marketization and commodification.
At a 'Partners for Progress' Conference in London early in , Br... more At a 'Partners for Progress' Conference in London early in , British Prime Minister Tony Blair described the centrality of workplace partnership in New Labour's 'Third Way' agenda. The audience of business leaders and national trade union officials heard that ...
The concept of political congruence is introduced as predictor or explanatory factor of trade
un... more The concept of political congruence is introduced as predictor or explanatory factor of trade
union renewal. Strategic change is more likely to succeed when political congruence exists
between the values, expectations and intended outcomes of the three sub-sets of leaders,
activists and members in a union. Political congruence (P/c) is defined as convergence of shared
political values and vision. For P/c to occur a particular chemistry of independent factors needs to
coalesce. The authors note, in particular, that there have been exceptional periods of individual
union growth, measured in terms of membership, density and effectiveness. These episodes of
exceptional growth need to be studied and understood, if one is to make sense of debates on
union ‘renewal’.
This article responds to the analysis presented by Connolly and Darlington of developments in SUD... more This article responds to the analysis presented by Connolly and Darlington of developments in SUD-Rail in France and RMT in the UK. The authors present the context for understanding the effects of neoliberal marketization of the rail sector in the two countries, and assess radical political unionism as a response. They also reflect on further areas for research.
This paper seeks to explain the continuing lack of economic convergence and the persistence of ma... more This paper seeks to explain the continuing lack of economic convergence and the persistence of market dysfunctionality, or wild capitalism, in postcommunist transformation. An overview of key statistics on economic convergence and market failure are presented. The paper then analyses the causes of malaise through the lens of institutionalist and radical perspectives. In doing so key data are assembled and presented from documents of the international financial institutions and other agencies monitoring crime and corruption. The paper concludes that, rather than encourage offspring of labour market reform have created the conditions for continuing economic divergence and for wild capitalism to survive and thrive.
The authors introduce the concept of political congruence and apply it to the Amalgamated Enginee... more The authors introduce the concept of political congruence and apply it to the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU), during rearmament and war. Political congruence requires the alignment of union leaders, activists and members with a common political project. This is likely to bring strategic renewal, as was the case in the AEU. A platform of left reform developed as the influence of Communists on the shop floor and among activists developed. The union grew at an exceptional pace and opened membership and participation to women and young workers while adopting a more cooperative stance towards other unions in the industry.
The authors introduce the concept of political congruence and apply it to the Amalgamated Enginee... more The authors introduce the concept of political congruence and apply it to the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU), during rearmament and war. Political congruence requires the alignment of union leaders, activists and members with a common political project. This is likely to bring strategic renewal, as was the case in the AEU. A platform of left reform developed as the influence
In this paper we review the workplace battleground and explore the
potential of social media for ... more In this paper we review the workplace battleground and explore the potential of social media for mobilizing social movements in labour conflicts and beyond. By conducting a case study with empirical accounts obtained from the 2010/2011 British Airways cabin crew dispute in the UK, along with secondary sources, we discern social media in the workplace as a contested field. Inquiring into the unfolding dynamic of social media and workplace conflict, we investigate the mobilizing prospects of theoretical concepts like ‘distributed discourse’ and ‘accelerated pluralism’ through the analytical prism of our interviews (Bimber, 1998; Greene et al, 2003). Our analysis of these empirical accounts will tease out certain empowering potentials in the use of social media to shape discourse and mobilize movement. However, we also note that these same communicative actions may challenge internal union authority, generate counter-mobilizing efforts and constitute an integral part in exposing both our private and working lives to the processes of marketization and commodification.
At a 'Partners for Progress' Conference in London early in , Br... more At a 'Partners for Progress' Conference in London early in , British Prime Minister Tony Blair described the centrality of workplace partnership in New Labour's 'Third Way' agenda. The audience of business leaders and national trade union officials heard that ...
The concept of political congruence is introduced as predictor or explanatory factor of trade
un... more The concept of political congruence is introduced as predictor or explanatory factor of trade
union renewal. Strategic change is more likely to succeed when political congruence exists
between the values, expectations and intended outcomes of the three sub-sets of leaders,
activists and members in a union. Political congruence (P/c) is defined as convergence of shared
political values and vision. For P/c to occur a particular chemistry of independent factors needs to
coalesce. The authors note, in particular, that there have been exceptional periods of individual
union growth, measured in terms of membership, density and effectiveness. These episodes of
exceptional growth need to be studied and understood, if one is to make sense of debates on
union ‘renewal’.
This article responds to the analysis presented by Connolly and Darlington of developments in SUD... more This article responds to the analysis presented by Connolly and Darlington of developments in SUD-Rail in France and RMT in the UK. The authors present the context for understanding the effects of neoliberal marketization of the rail sector in the two countries, and assess radical political unionism as a response. They also reflect on further areas for research.
This paper seeks to explain the continuing lack of economic convergence and the persistence of ma... more This paper seeks to explain the continuing lack of economic convergence and the persistence of market dysfunctionality, or wild capitalism, in postcommunist transformation. An overview of key statistics on economic convergence and market failure are presented. The paper then analyses the causes of malaise through the lens of institutionalist and radical perspectives. In doing so key data are assembled and presented from documents of the international financial institutions and other agencies monitoring crime and corruption. The paper concludes that, rather than encourage offspring of labour market reform have created the conditions for continuing economic divergence and for wild capitalism to survive and thrive.
The authors introduce the concept of political congruence and apply it to the Amalgamated Enginee... more The authors introduce the concept of political congruence and apply it to the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU), during rearmament and war. Political congruence requires the alignment of union leaders, activists and members with a common political project. This is likely to bring strategic renewal, as was the case in the AEU. A platform of left reform developed as the influence of Communists on the shop floor and among activists developed. The union grew at an exceptional pace and opened membership and participation to women and young workers while adopting a more cooperative stance towards other unions in the industry.
'The Realities of Partnership at Work' finds evidence of work intensification, increased stress a... more 'The Realities of Partnership at Work' finds evidence of work intensification, increased stress and more job insecurity where partnership has been introduced in the workplace. This definitive study, written by leading authors in the field, suggests that partnership is a utopian Third Way project designed to suppress and deny workplace conflict. The concept of 'good' partnership, following the Trade Union Congress' (TUC) six principles of partnership, is probed and tested and found to fall short of employees' and unions' expectations. Government and employer efforts to use workplace consensus as a vehicle for productivity growth inevitably exacerbate the tensions between worker and employer interest, making prospects for mutual gains illusory. Research for this book was funded by the ESRC 'Future of Work' Programme, and it includes extensive surveys and interviews in organizations from finance, aerospace and the public sector.
There is a developing crisis of social democratic trade unionism in Western Europe; this volume o... more There is a developing crisis of social democratic trade unionism in Western Europe; this volume outlines the crisis and examines the emerging alternatives. The authors define 'social democratic trade unionism' and its associated party-union nexus and explain how this traditional model has been threatened by social democracy's accommodation to neo-liberal restructuring and public service reform. Examining the experience of Sweden, Germany, Britain and France, the volume explores the historical rise and fall of social democratic trade unionism in each of these countries and probes the policy and practice of the European Trade Union Confederation. The authors critically examine the possibilities for a revival of social democratic unionism in terms of strategic policy and identity, offering suggestions for an alternative, radicalized political unionism. The research value of the book is highlighted by its focus on contemporary developments and its authors' intimate knowledge of the chosen countries.
This book offers a refreshing new analysis of the role of workers both in Tito’s Yugoslavia and i... more This book offers a refreshing new analysis of the role of workers both in Tito’s Yugoslavia and in the subsequent Serbian revolution against Milošević in October 2000. The authors argue that Tito and the Communist leadership of Yugoslavia saw self-management as a modernising project to compete with the West, and as a disciplining tool for workers in the enterprise. The socialist ideals of self-management were subsequently corrupted by Yugoslavia’s turn to the market. The authors then move on to examining the central role of ordinary workers in overthrowing the nationalist regime of Milošević and present an account which runs contrary to many descriptions of 'labour weakness' in post-Communist states. Organised labour should be studied as a movement in and of itself rather than as a passive object of external forces. Two labour movement waves have emerged under post-Communism, the first an expression of desire for democracy, the second as a collaboration and clientelism. A third wave, against the ravages of neoliberalism, is only just emerging.
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Papers by Martin Upchurch
potential of social media for mobilizing social movements in labour conflicts
and beyond. By conducting a case study with empirical accounts obtained
from the 2010/2011 British Airways cabin crew dispute in the UK, along
with secondary sources, we discern social media in the workplace as a
contested field. Inquiring into the unfolding dynamic of social media and
workplace conflict, we investigate the mobilizing prospects of theoretical
concepts like ‘distributed discourse’ and ‘accelerated pluralism’ through the
analytical prism of our interviews (Bimber, 1998; Greene et al, 2003). Our
analysis of these empirical accounts will tease out certain empowering
potentials in the use of social media to shape discourse and mobilize
movement. However, we also note that these same communicative actions
may challenge internal union authority, generate counter-mobilizing efforts
and constitute an integral part in exposing both our private and working
lives to the processes of marketization and commodification.
union renewal. Strategic change is more likely to succeed when political congruence exists
between the values, expectations and intended outcomes of the three sub-sets of leaders,
activists and members in a union. Political congruence (P/c) is defined as convergence of shared
political values and vision. For P/c to occur a particular chemistry of independent factors needs to
coalesce. The authors note, in particular, that there have been exceptional periods of individual
union growth, measured in terms of membership, density and effectiveness. These episodes of
exceptional growth need to be studied and understood, if one is to make sense of debates on
union ‘renewal’.
In doing so key data are assembled and presented from documents of the international financial institutions and other agencies monitoring crime and corruption. The paper concludes that, rather than encourage offspring of labour market reform have created the conditions for continuing economic divergence and for wild capitalism to survive and thrive.
potential of social media for mobilizing social movements in labour conflicts
and beyond. By conducting a case study with empirical accounts obtained
from the 2010/2011 British Airways cabin crew dispute in the UK, along
with secondary sources, we discern social media in the workplace as a
contested field. Inquiring into the unfolding dynamic of social media and
workplace conflict, we investigate the mobilizing prospects of theoretical
concepts like ‘distributed discourse’ and ‘accelerated pluralism’ through the
analytical prism of our interviews (Bimber, 1998; Greene et al, 2003). Our
analysis of these empirical accounts will tease out certain empowering
potentials in the use of social media to shape discourse and mobilize
movement. However, we also note that these same communicative actions
may challenge internal union authority, generate counter-mobilizing efforts
and constitute an integral part in exposing both our private and working
lives to the processes of marketization and commodification.
union renewal. Strategic change is more likely to succeed when political congruence exists
between the values, expectations and intended outcomes of the three sub-sets of leaders,
activists and members in a union. Political congruence (P/c) is defined as convergence of shared
political values and vision. For P/c to occur a particular chemistry of independent factors needs to
coalesce. The authors note, in particular, that there have been exceptional periods of individual
union growth, measured in terms of membership, density and effectiveness. These episodes of
exceptional growth need to be studied and understood, if one is to make sense of debates on
union ‘renewal’.
In doing so key data are assembled and presented from documents of the international financial institutions and other agencies monitoring crime and corruption. The paper concludes that, rather than encourage offspring of labour market reform have created the conditions for continuing economic divergence and for wild capitalism to survive and thrive.