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‘Justice for Janitors’ goes Dutch: the limits and possibilities of unions’ adoption of organizing in a context of regulated social partnership

Author

Listed:
  • Heather Connolly

    (De Montfort University, UK)

  • Stefania Marino

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

  • Miguel Martinez Lucio

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

Abstract

Organizing has been adopted as a strategy for union renewal in the Netherlands, where the dominant repertoire has been consensus-based social dialogue. Certain Dutch unions have developed strategies inspired by the US ‘organizing model’ and have been relatively successful in recruiting and mobilizing under-represented workers. Despite some tensions emerging, the introduction of organizing resulted in the greater representation of workers in sectors such as cleaning, which has to an extent complemented social dialogue-based strategies. At the same time, the narrative and tactics of organizing have stimulated internal debate on union purpose and identity and indirectly contributed to a process of reform and democratization within parts of the union movement. The research demonstrates the pragmatic features of organizing as a strategy for union renewal in a context of regulated social partnership, but also points towards the potential for organizing to encourage shifts in the dominant sources of union legitimacy and power.

Suggested Citation

  • Heather Connolly & Stefania Marino & Miguel Martinez Lucio, 2017. "‘Justice for Janitors’ goes Dutch: the limits and possibilities of unions’ adoption of organizing in a context of regulated social partnership," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 31(2), pages 319-335, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:31:y:2017:i:2:p:319-335
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017016677943
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anke Hassel, 2007. "The Curse of Institutional Security - The Erosion of German Trade Unionism," Industrielle Beziehungen - Zeitschrift fuer Arbeit, Organisation und Management - The German Journal of Industrial Relations, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 14(2), pages 176-191.
    2. Maria Kranendonk & Paul Beer, 2016. "What Explains the Union Membership Gap between Migrants and Natives?," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(4), pages 846-869, December.
    3. repec:jes:wpaper:y:2013:v:5:p:227-235 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Miguel Martinez Lucio & Mark Stuart, 2009. "Organising and Union Modernisation: Narratives of Renewal in Britain," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Gregor Gall (ed.), Union Revitalisation in Advanced Economies, chapter 2, pages 17-37, Palgrave Macmillan.
    5. Razvan Hagima, 2013. "How The Financial Crisis Has Affected The Economic Indicators Of The Netherlands," CES Working Papers, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 5(2), pages 227-235.
    6. Bob Carter, 2006. "Trade union organizing and renewal," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 20(2), pages 415-426, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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