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Strength in Networks: Employment Rights Organizations and the Problem of Co‐Ordination

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  • Charles Heckscher
  • Françoise Carré

Abstract

In recent decades, alternative organizations and movements —‘quasi‐unions’— have emerged to fill gaps in the US system of representation caused by union decline. We examine the record of quasi‐unions and find that although they have sometimes helped workers who lack other means of representation, they have significant limitations and are unlikely to replace unions as the primary means of representation. But networks, consisting of sets of diverse actors including unions and quasi‐unions, are more promising. They have already shown power in specific campaigns, but they have yet to do so for more sustained strategies. By looking at analogous cases, we identify institutional bases for sustained networks, including shared information platforms, behavioural norms, common mission and governance mechanisms that go well beyond what now exists in labour alliances and campaigns. There are substantial resistances to these network institutions because of the history of fragmentation and autonomy among both unions and quasi‐unions; yet we also identify positive potential for network formation.

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  • Charles Heckscher & Françoise Carré, 2006. "Strength in Networks: Employment Rights Organizations and the Problem of Co‐Ordination," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 44(4), pages 605-628, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:44:y:2006:i:4:p:605-628
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8543.2006.00516.x
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    Cited by:

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    2. Lisa Dorigatti & Wike M Been & Luigi Burroni & Maarten Keune & Trine P Larsen & Mikkel Mailand, 2023. "Playing alone? Interest representation in the videogame industry in Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(4), pages 1266-1288, November.
    3. Alex J. Wood, 2015. "Networks of injustice and worker mobilisation at Walmart," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(4), pages 259-274, July.
    4. Virginie Xhauflair & Benjamin Huybrechts & François Pichault, 2018. "How Can New Players Establish Themselves in Highly Institutionalized Labour Markets? A Belgian Case Study in the Area of Project†Based Work," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 56(2), pages 370-394, June.
    5. Christine A. Riordan & Alexander M. Kowalski, 2021. "From Bread and Roses to #MeToo: Multiplicity, Distance, and the Changing Dynamics of Conflict in IR Theory," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 74(3), pages 580-606, May.
    6. Ian Fitzgerald & Jane Hardy, 2010. "‘Thinking Outside the Box’? Trade Union Organizing Strategies and Polish Migrant Workers in the United Kingdom," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 48(1), pages 131-150, March.
    7. Blanco, Cristina Faraco & Kraußlach, Mariannne & Lange, Miguel Montero & Pfeffer-Hoffmann, Christian, 2015. "Die Auswirkungen der Wirtschaftskrise auf die innereuropäische Arbeitsmigration am Beispiel der neuen spanischen Migration nach Deutschland," Working Paper Forschungsförderung 002, Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Düsseldorf.
    8. David WEIL, 2008. "A strategic approach to labour inspection," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 147(4), pages 349-375, December.
    9. Andrea Bellini & Marco Betti & Alberto Gherardini & Francesco Lauria, 2023. "Collectivising services: a path to trade union renewal in Europe," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 29(4), pages 457-473, November.
    10. Şafak Tartanoğlu, 2015. "Beyond informality: effectiveness of a new actor for representing call centre workers in Turkey," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(5-6), pages 381-397, November.
    11. Verna Alcalde‐González & Ana Gálvez‐Mozo & Alan Valenzuela‐Bustos, 2024. "Social movement unionism in Spain's feminized precarious service sector: Criticism, cooperation and competition," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 62(1), pages 154-173, March.
    12. Edmund Heery & Brian Abbott & Stephen Williams, 2012. "The Involvement of Civil Society Organizations in British Industrial Relations: Extent, Origins and Significance," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 50(1), pages 47-72, March.
    13. Richard Saundry & Mark Stuart & Valerie Antcliff, 2012. "Social Capital and Union Revitalization: A Study of Worker Networks in the UK Audio-Visual Industries," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 50(2), pages 263-286, June.
    14. Bas A. S. Koene & François Pichault, 2021. "Embedded Fixers, Pragmatic Experimenters, Dedicated Activists: Evaluating Third‐Party Labour Market Actors’ Initiatives for Skilled Project‐Based Workers in the Gig Economy," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 59(2), pages 444-473, June.
    15. Güneş Ertan & Michael D. Siciliano & Erin C. McGrath & Molly McGrath, 2021. "Social Networks and Strike Participation: A Dynamic Analysis of the Hollywood Writers Strike," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 59(4), pages 1108-1130, December.
    16. Eleanor Kirk, 2018. "The ‘Problem’ with the Employment Tribunal System: Reform, Rhetoric and Realities for the Clients of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 32(6), pages 975-991, December.
    17. Jelle Visser, 2024. "Will they rise again? Four scenarios for the future of trade unions," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 45(3), pages 629-652, August.

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