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I’ve Got Your Back: Danger, Volunteering and Solidarity in Lifeboat Crews

Author

Listed:
  • Michelle O’Toole

    (University of Edinburgh Business School, UK)

  • Thomas Calvard

    (University of Edinburgh Business School, UK)

Abstract

This article considers solidarity as a dynamic interrelationship between intersubjective and structural processes that underpin webs of meaning in dangerous work conditions. Conceptual links are developed to integrate previously unconnected aspects of work and relationships between danger, volunteering, edgework and solidarity – revealing how a distinct form of solidarity is engendered and experienced. Drawing on 43 in-depth interviews with Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) workers operating in the UK and Ireland (12 paid and 31 volunteers), the analysis illuminates experiences of solidarity in a dangerous working environment. Findings reveal that solidarity is constituted by the interplay between volunteering work practices, shared experiences of rescues, and the meaningful purpose of safeguarding human life. This empirical study provides a basis for theorising distinct conditions relating to solidarity as differentiated from previous work on the concept. Further implications are discussed for contexts where various forms of danger and solidarity might be experienced.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle O’Toole & Thomas Calvard, 2020. "I’ve Got Your Back: Danger, Volunteering and Solidarity in Lifeboat Crews," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 34(1), pages 73-90, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:34:y:2020:i:1:p:73-90
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017019862962
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carol Wolkowitz, 2002. "The Social Relations of body Work," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 16(3), pages 497-510, September.
    2. Silke Roth, 2015. "Aid work as edgework - voluntary risk-taking and security in humanitarian assistance, development and human rights work," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 139-155, February.
    3. Martina Cioni & Marco Savioli, 2016. "Safety at the workplace: accidents and illnesses," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 30(5), pages 858-875, October.
    4. Stephen R. Barley & Gideon Kunda, 2001. "Bringing Work Back In," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 12(1), pages 76-95, February.
    5. Phil Taylor & Chris Warhurst & Paul Thompson & Dora Scholarios, 2009. "On the front line," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 23(1), pages 7-11, March.
    6. Barbara Barabaschi, 2015. "Intergenerational Solidarity in the Workplace," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(4), pages 21582440156, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ruth Reaney & Niall Cullinane, 2024. "Inter-Union Solidarity and Strategic Group Identity: Insights from Works Councils in the French Car Industry," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(2), pages 377-398, April.

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