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Fear and Leadership in Union Organizing Campaigns

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  • Caroline Murphy

Abstract

This article adopts a mobilization framework to examine the crucial actions of workplace activists in overcoming fear of employer reprisal during union organizing campaigns in hostile environments. The article explores fear as part of the organizing process in two ways; first, we examine how fear can act as a stimulus for workplace activists to take action in an attempt to overcome the source of that fear. Second, we examine fear as an inhibiting factor in organizing, whereby the presence of fear hinders individuals from taking action. Using qualitative data from interviews conducted with workplace activists across a variety of campaigns in Ireland, this article examines the process through which workplace activists conquer their own sense of fear and undertake the task of mobilizing colleagues toward collective action in pursuit of union representation amid fear of employer reprisal.

Suggested Citation

  • Caroline Murphy, 2016. "Fear and Leadership in Union Organizing Campaigns," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(1), pages 21582440156, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:6:y:2016:i:1:p:2158244015623932
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244015623932
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Logan, 2006. "The Union Avoidance Industry in the United States," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 44(4), pages 651-675, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tony Dobbins & Niall Cullinane & Brian Sheehan, 2020. "Ireland's conundrum on union bargaining rights: assessing the Industrial Relations Amendment Act 2015," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(1-2), pages 75-91, March.
    2. Alan Eustace, 2024. "Dancing at the crossroads: Lessons from Ireland on collective labour law reform," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(4), pages 303-325, July.

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