Trade unions (ism), social movements and the community: connections and politics

The subjects of social movements and community/non-workplace forms of activism have entered the current discussion about work and employment in recent years although to some extent they have always been relevant. The concepts of trade union ‘renewal’ or ‘revitalization’ have been coupled with, and integrated to, these ‘external’ dimensions within labour relations. It is argued that trade unions need to link to, or appear like, social movements whilst also engaging more clearly in the spaces of local communities if they are to advance and have a positive impact on the increasingly fragmenting and changing labour market and spheres of work. This has become a significant feature of debates in the sociology of work and labour relations. In addition, certain forms of worker organizations are judged to be moving towards new identities and activities linked, or similar, to social movements. The problem we face though is how do these different dimensions in terms of the social and the industrial interact, and to what ends? The political and ideological aspects of these new forms and alliances are important in understanding how a new form of social mobilization is being configured within labour relations.