new unionism›› is work in progress

Hololog
(ho'lo·lôg), n.,v.,
Networked dialogue between a writer, members of a defined network, agents provocateurs, dead people with fixed ideas, random bastards - half of whom are made up - and pretty much anybody else who wants a go.

Relational organizing
Relational organizing is an approach which sits equally well with trade unionists, community activists, and faith-based networkers. What these enthusiasts describe seems to be a variant on the organizing model, but with a much heavier emphasis on relationships within the group, rather than just interactions between the group and the employer. As one organizer who has used the approach with spectacular results said: "This is about us, not them". If you're a union organizer make time to read this; it may change everything. You'll find it in the Organizing folder above, or click here

Young unionism
All those workshops and sub-committees... all those caucuses... all those motions of support... Why is it that young people are still not flocking to join unions?? Network member Jodie Schluter leads this second hololog as we look at the issue of unionisation through the eyes of young people, including those working successfully in the field (not to mention a few left-field gonks). here

Reframing the debate
This hololog looks at how conservatives came to dominate public discourse over the last 30 years. Network member Eduardo Gonzalez guides us through some shared comment and a couple of games as we discuss how "reframing the debate" would help the union movement reclaim centre stage. here

Factions
Here you have it - a hololog in the making. We're currently looking at where factions in unionism come from, and what can be done about them. Help us crash-test a model we are developing (by way of a straw poll). Anything else you'd care to say? Say it here

Work in Progress
The New Unionism network's Work in Progress is available for download in MS-Word format here. We also have a Newswire (both are HTML format emails). You can subscribe to both of these publications for free, along with several other useful bulletins, from our resources page.

Towards networks

In this paper on union structural forms, network founding member Professor Charles Heckscher (possibly the father of New Unionism?) looks at three quite different phenomena: the labour movement, labour organizations and labour networks. His discussion suggests a new way forward for workers. Looking at developments over the past few years (with global alliances developing in target industries and other forms of transnational collaboration taking shape), history seems to be proving Heckscher right once again.
download

The missing millions
optimist

This highly influential paper from the TUC in the United Kingdom (2001) brings together a series of strands and considers a new strategic approach for the UK union movement. It is well worth reading for anyone who wants to understand the thinking behind New Unionism.
download
So how did it pan out? Did the strategy work? Our discussion of the subsequent results of the UK project can be found here.

Masters & servants
hall-jones

Why do we defer from 9-to-5? The master-servant relationship still haunts workplaces and industrial relations; a feudal hangover passed down through English common law. Network member Peter Hall-Jones argues that it's high time we exorcised the old ghoul. more

If you have an article you would like to add to the library, please send it to us at librarian@newunionism.net. Please confirm that we have permission to make it openly available.

		Parecon and union revitalisation Network member Mark Evans discusses the historical roots of the crisis of identity in unionism, and considers the potential value of an approach based on "participatory economics", or ParEcon—an alternative developed by radical economists Michael Albert and Robin Hahnel. download»

	agreements
	case studies
	internationalism
	member contributions
	organizing
	working life
	workplace democracy

Hololog (ho'lo·lôg), n.,v., Networked dialogue between a writer, members of a defined network, agents provocateurs, dead people with fixed ideas, random bastards - half of whom are made up - and pretty much anybody else who wants a go. Relational organizing Relational organizing is an approach which sits equally well with trade unionists, community activists, and faith-based networkers. What these enthusiasts describe seems to be a variant on the organizing model, but with a much heavier emphasis on relationships within the group, rather than just interactions between the group and the employer. As one organizer who has used the approach with spectacular results said: "This is about us, not them". If you're a union organizer make time to read this; it may change everything. You'll find it in the Organizing folder above, or click here Young unionism All those workshops and sub-committees... all those caucuses... all those motions of support... Why is it that young people are still not flocking to join unions?? Network member Jodie Schluter leads this second hololog as we look at the issue of unionisation through the eyes of young people, including those working successfully in the field (not to mention a few left-field gonks). here Reframing the debate This hololog looks at how conservatives came to dominate public discourse over the last 30 years. Network member Eduardo Gonzalez guides us through some shared comment and a couple of games as we discuss how "reframing the debate" would help the union movement reclaim centre stage. here Factions Here you have it - a hololog in the making. We're currently looking at where factions in unionism come from, and what can be done about them. Help us crash-test a model we are developing (by way of a straw poll). Anything else you'd care to say? Say it here Work in Progress The New Unionism network's Work in Progress is available for download in MS-Word format here. We also have a Newswire (both are HTML format emails). You can subscribe to both of these publications for free, along with several other useful bulletins, from our resources page.			The new unionism Network member Conor Cradden discusses the historical and theoretical basis for workplace democracy and the new unionism. Part three of his paper will look at economic democracy. download Workplace democracy An informal coalition of UK unions and thinktanks has produced an important new thinkpiece on workplace democracy. If this agenda is new to you, then here's a great introduction. download Towards networks In this paper on union structural forms, network founding member Professor Charles Heckscher (possibly the father of New Unionism?) looks at three quite different phenomena: the labour movement, labour organizations and labour networks. His discussion suggests a new way forward for workers. Looking at developments over the past few years (with global alliances developing in target industries and other forms of transnational collaboration taking shape), history seems to be proving Heckscher right once again. download The missing millions This highly influential paper from the TUC in the United Kingdom (2001) brings together a series of strands and considers a new strategic approach for the UK union movement. It is well worth reading for anyone who wants to understand the thinking behind New Unionism. download So how did it pan out? Did the strategy work? Our discussion of the subsequent results of the UK project can be found here. Masters & servants Why do we defer from 9-to-5? The master-servant relationship still haunts workplaces and industrial relations; a feudal hangover passed down through English common law. Network member Peter Hall-Jones argues that it's high time we exorcised the old ghoul. more
If you have an article you would like to add to the library, please send it to us at librarian@newunionism.net. Please confirm that we have permission to make it openly available.