TY - JOUR T1 - The Essence Of Trade Unions: Understanding Identity, Ideology And Purpose JF - Work, Employment & Society Y1 - 2015 A1 - Hodder, Andy A1 - Paul Edwards KW - industrial and labor relations KW - trade unionism KW - union organizing KW - unionism KW - work and labor AB -

Academics have long investigated trade union behavior through the complex interaction of identity, ideology and purpose. At the same time, there have been increasing calls to gain a deeper understanding of the purpose of strategies but the two bodies of literature seldom overlap. The article proposes a framework to help understand the essence of trade unions and to situate strategies (such as organizing) in this broader context and bridge the gap between the literature on union purpose and identity and on strategies for renewal. It is argued that the essence of unions framework can assist with the analysis of both historical and contemporary trade unionism and allows both clarification and consideration of the range of concepts and terms already in use in the industrial relations literature.

VL - April 2015 L2 - eng ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Young And Unionised In The UK? Insights From The Public Sector JF - Employee Relations Y1 - 2015 A1 - Hodder, Andy KW - industrial relations KW - public sector KW - trade union membership KW - trade unionism KW - union responses KW - young workers AB -

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between trade unions and young workers in the UK using the Young Members’ Network of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union as a case study. Findings are based on semi-structured interviews with 20 full-time officials and 39 lay officials of all ages, the collection and analysis of primary documents and observations at a range of union meetings. It is argued that PCS has developed a strong network of young activists and is leading the way in terms of engaging with and representing young workers. However, its success in the future may be limited due to changes to the external environment in which the union is trying to organize. The research highlights the role of an under researched area of trade union membership. To provide additional insights, further research is needed into the practice of other unions. This paper provides significant qualitative analysis into this issue which complements the existing quantitative research in this area.

VL - 37 L2 - eng CP - 3 ER - TY - BOOK T1 - Young Workers and Trade Unions: A Global View Y1 - 2015 A1 - Hodder, Andy A1 - Lefteris Kretsos KW - austerity policies KW - precariousness KW - trade union revitalization KW - trade unions KW - young workers AB -

In most cases young workers all over the world carry out low-paid, low-status and insecure work. As their position in the labour market becomes increasingly precarious, one may expect them to join unions to get more protection. Nevertheless most young workers remain disengaged from trade union activity and trade unions are struggling with the loss of members and an increasing ageing effect. Young Workers and Trade Unions provides an understanding of the processes in which unions engage with young people and the views and opinions young people hold relating to collective representation. One of the key strengths of the collection is the selection of specific national cases of high relevance to contemporary debates of precariousness, trade union revitalization strategies and austerity policies.

PB - Palgrave Macmillan CY - New York L2 - eng ER - TY - BOOK T1 - Young Workers and Trade Unions: A Global View Y1 - 2015 A1 - Hodder, Andy A1 - Lefteris Kretsos KW - labor unions KW - organizing KW - precarious work KW - precariousness KW - young workers AB -

In most cases young workers all over the world carry out low-paid, low-status and insecure work. As their position in the labour market becomes increasingly precarious, one may expect them to join unions to get more protection. Nevertheless most young workers remain disengaged from trade union activity and trade unions are struggling with the loss of members and an increasing ageing effect. Young Workers and Trade Unions provides an understanding of the processes in which unions engage with young people and the views and opinions young people hold relating to collective representation. One of the key strengths of the collection is the selection of specific national cases of high relevance to contemporary debates of precariousness, trade union revitalization strategies and austerity policies.

PB - Palgrave Macmillan CY - London L2 - eng ER -