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Why do unions find fighting workplace racism difficult?

Author

Listed:
  • Steve Jefferys

    (Professor of European Employment Studies, Working Lives Research Institute, London Metropolitan University)

Abstract

Trade unions are committed to anti-racism. However, with the growth of job insecurity in the increasingly inegalitarian but global economies that are sucking in new generations of international migrants, racism and xenophobia have re-emerged as major threats to European social cohesion. This article examines the problems unions have in fighting racism within the workplace. It documents different ways in which these problems present themselves, and suggests that they offer trade unions two structural-ideological challenges: the need to defend broader, societal trade union objectives, alongside bread and butter ones; and the need to strengthen the legitimacy of trade union activists acting within ‘representative democratic’ rather than ‘delegate democratic’ traditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Steve Jefferys, 2007. "Why do unions find fighting workplace racism difficult?," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 13(3), pages 377-395, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:13:y:2007:i:3:p:377-395
    DOI: 10.1177/102425890701300305
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Steve Jefferys, 2015. "The context to challenging discrimination against ethnic minorities and migrant workers at work," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 21(1), pages 9-22, February.
    2. Nouria Ouali & Steve Jefferys, 2015. "Hard times for trade union anti-racism workplace strategies," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 21(1), pages 99-113, February.
    3. Antonio Martín Artiles & Oscar Molina, 2011. "Crisis, economic uncertainty and union members' attitudes towards immigration in Europe," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 17(4), pages 453-469, November.
    4. Gill Kirton & Cécile Guillaume, 2024. "Towards ‘Racialising’ the Union Agenda on the Front Lines of Healthcare Professions," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(2), pages 358-376, April.

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