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Understanding union power: resources and capabilities for renewing union capacity

Author

Listed:
  • Christian Lévesque

    (Professor, HEC Montréal and Co-Director, Interuniversity Research Centre on Globalization and Work (CRIMT) Email: Christian.Levesque@hec.ca)

  • Gregor Murray

    (Professor, École de relations industrielles, Université de Montréal, Canada Research Chair on Globalization and Work, Director, Interuniversity Research Centre on Globalization and Work (CRIMT) Email: Gregor.Murray@umontreal.ca)

Abstract

Power is at the core of current debates over the future of trade unionism. This article provides a framework to assess the power resources and strategic capabilities central to union capacity building. We identify four key power resources: internal solidarity; network embeddedness; narrative resources that frame understandings and union actions; and infrastructural resources (material, human, processes, policies and programmes). Resources alone are not enough; unions must also be capable of using them. We identify four strategic capabilities: intermediating between contending interests to foster collaborative action and to activate networks; framing; articulating actions over time and space; and learning. Much experimentation and research on the interactions between these resources and capabilities in particular contexts is required to advance our understanding of the renewal of union power.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Lévesque & Gregor Murray, 2010. "Understanding union power: resources and capabilities for renewing union capacity," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 16(3), pages 333-350, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:16:y:2010:i:3:p:333-350
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258910373867
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    References listed on IDEAS

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