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The Moral Economy of Solidarity: A Longitudinal Study of Special Needs Teachers

Author

Listed:
  • Sharon C Bolton

    (University of Stirling, UK)

  • Knut Laaser

    (Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus–Senftenberg, Germany; University of Stirling, UK)

Abstract

Based on a longitudinal study of a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in England for children excluded from mainstream schools and utilising a moral economy lens, this article explores how solidarity is created and maintained in a very particular community of teachers and learning support assistants (LSAs). A moral economy approach highlights the centrality of people’s moral norms and values for understanding the multi-layered dimensions of solidarity in organisations and how it changes in the context of transformations in the labour process. The article illustrates how teachers and LSAs rely on mutuality, underpinned by moral norms of justice, and values of care, dignity and recognition, to cope with physically and emotionally demanding work that is under-resourced and undervalued. The analysis reveals that solidarity is not only against unjust workplace regimes, but also for connectivity and a humanised labour process.

Suggested Citation

  • Sharon C Bolton & Knut Laaser, 2020. "The Moral Economy of Solidarity: A Longitudinal Study of Special Needs Teachers," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 34(1), pages 55-72, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:34:y:2020:i:1:p:55-72
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017019871237
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paul Blyton & Jean Jenkins, 2013. "Mobilizing Protest: Insights from Two Factory Closures," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 51(4), pages 733-753, December.
    2. Knut Laaser, 2016. "‘If you are having a go at me, I am going to have a go at you’: the changing nature of social relationships of bank work under performance management," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 30(6), pages 1000-1016, December.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pratima Sambajee, 2025. "The moral economy of solidarity: A study of the 2017 hunger strike in Mauritius," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 46(1), pages 96-117, February.
    2. Syed Imran Saqib & Matthew M C Allen & Miguel Martínez Lucio & Maria Allen, 2024. "Sustaining Solidarity through Social Media? Employee Social-Media Groups as an Emerging Platform for Collectivism in Pakistan," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(3), pages 636-656, June.
    3. Ruth Reaney & Niall Cullinane, 2024. "Inter-Union Solidarity and Strategic Group Identity: Insights from Works Councils in the French Car Industry," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(2), pages 377-398, April.
    4. Laura J Reeves & Emma Bell, 2025. "Bubbles of Belonging at Work: Redrawing Boundaries of Inclusion and Exclusion in UK Restaurants during Brexit," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 39(6), pages 1329-1350, December.
    5. Genevieve Coderre-LaPalme & Ian Greer & Lisa Schulte, 2023. "Welfare, Work and the Conditions of Social Solidarity: British Campaigns to Defend Healthcare and Social Security," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(2), pages 352-372, April.
    6. David Farrugia, 2026. "Lay Moralities of Young Workers and the Moral Economy of Service Labour," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 40(2), pages 295-313, April.
    7. Isabell Kathrin Stamm & Lena Schürmann & Katharina Scheidgen, 2024. "Market Dependence as a Boundary Construction for Work Solidarity with the Solo Self-employed," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(6), pages 1528-1548, December.

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