The future of unions and worker representation : the digital picket line / Anthony Forsyth.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Forsyth, Anthony, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Labor unions--Law and legislation.

Labor unions.

Labor unions--Organizing.

Employees--Effect of technological innovations on.

Employees.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (311 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Distribution:

[London, England] : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2022

Place of Publication:

Oxford [England] ; New York : Hart Publishing, 2022.

Summary:

"This book charts the path to revitalisation for trade unions in Australia, the USA, the UK, and Italy. It examines the examples of innovation and digital campaigning that are enabling unions to build new forms of worker power - and overcome decades of declining membership wrought by neoliberalism, globalisation, and hostility from employers and the state. The study evaluates the responses of unions in each country to falling membership levels since the 1980s. It considers the US 'organising model' and its adoption in Australia and the UK, comparing this with the strategies of Italian unions which have been more deliberately focused on precarious and migrant workers. The increasing reliance of US unions on community alliances, as seen in the 'Fight for $15' and similar campaigns, is scrutinised along with new union prototypes like Hospo Voice in Australia, the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain and SI Cobas in Italy. The book includes an in-depth analysis of union responses to the gig economy in the four countries, and the emergence of self-organised worker collectives to combat this exploitative business model. The vital role played by unions in defending the interests of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is also examined. As well as highlighting the most successful union initiatives to meet the challenges of the past 30 years, the book assesses the strengths and deficiencies of the legal framework for union representation in the four nations. It identifies the labour law reforms needed to rebuild collectivism, but argues that more is needed than favourable laws. This cross-national study provides a rich basis for identifying the combination of reforms, strategies and linkages required to ensure that unions can remain relevant for a new generation of digitally-active workers"

Contents:

Introduction

A snapshot of union decline in the four countries

The legal framework for unions and worker representation in the four countries

Unions in the USA : from the organising model to alt-labour

Australian unions : from the accord to 'change the rules'

Australian unions : innovations, amalgamations and organising beyond the workplace

The UK : from 'new unionism' to indy and digital unions

Italian unions : fighting for the marginalised

Unions and the gig economy : advocacy, campaigning, mobilising

Unions and the gig economy : misclassification test cases and collective bargaining

What is the future of unions and worker representation? What changes are needed in labour laws?

The COVID-19 pandemic : the undeniable case for unions.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Print version: Forsyth, Anthony The Future of Unions and Worker Representation

ISBN:

9781509925001

1509925007

9781509924998

150992499X

9781509924981

1509924981

OCLC:

1284920541