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Mobilising contingent workers: An analysis of two successful cases

Author

Listed:
  • Melanie Simms

    (University of Leicester, UK)

  • Deborah Dean

    (University of Warwick, UK)

Abstract

This article examines two cases of successful efforts by UK trade unions to mobilise contingent workers. The evidence strongly illustrates the explanatory potential of Kelly’s mobilisation theory and deepens understanding of how mobilisation processes work within unions. The findings emphasise the importance of officers and activists in framing collective interests as ‘cultures of solidarity’ (Fantasia, 1988). Solidarity both within groups of contingent workers and between them and the wider union is essential for successful mobilisation. Building solidarities helps these workers overcome their inherently weak position in the labour market; a process that is important to understand in greater detail if we are to understand union revitalisation efforts more widely.

Suggested Citation

  • Melanie Simms & Deborah Dean, 2015. "Mobilising contingent workers: An analysis of two successful cases," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 36(1), pages 173-190, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:36:y:2015:i:1:p:173-190
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X13501000
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nancy Brown Johnson & Paul Jarley, 2004. "Justice and Union Participation: An Extension and Test of Mobilization Theory," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 42(3), pages 543-562, September.
    2. Vidu Badigannavar & John Kelly, 2005. "Why Are Some Union Organizing Campaigns More Successful Than Others?," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 43(3), pages 515-535, September.
    3. Patricia Fosh, 1993. "Membership Participation in Workplace Unionism: The Possibility of Union Renewal," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 31(4), pages 577-592, December.
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    Cited by:

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    5. Kim Young & Kaye Broadbent, 2018. "‘Still out on the street waging this fight’: Women irregular workers and industrial action in Korea," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 39(2), pages 228-248, May.
    6. Ralph Darlington, 2018. "The leadership component of Kelly’s mobilisation theory: Contribution, tensions, limitations and further development," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 39(4), pages 617-638, November.
    7. Jane Holgate & Melanie Simms & Maite Tapia, 2018. "The limitations of the theory and practice of mobilization in trade union organizing," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 39(4), pages 599-616, November.
    8. Jonathan Preminger, 2018. "Creating a multilayered representational ‘package’ for subcontracted workers: the case of cleaners at Ben†Gurion University," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(1), pages 34-49, January.
    9. Jane Holgate, 2018. "The Sydney Alliance: A broad-based community organising potential for trade union transformation?," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 39(2), pages 312-331, May.

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