The Ideological Dimensions of Activism — Excavating Class?

Abstract

This chapter returns to the ideological dimension of trade union activism introduced in Chapter 2. Subsequent chapters explored the motivations of a range of activists, rooting them within workplace and thus class relationships defined in terms of gender, race, ethnicity and sexuality. We now turn to the nature of consciousness produced by these relationships drawing upon an older literature on trade union consciousness to conceptualise the values of contemporary activists, many taking on new union roles, in a changed context. This chapter investigates how far their trade unionism goes beyond instrumentality and a commitment to collectivism to embrace class identity and/or consciousness. In this it asks how far activists perceive trade unions as embracing political and social goals as well as economic objectives and how far these extend to the reform or transformation of the current social order — of particular interest in a time of capitalist crisis. Finally the chapter explores the political values of the activists asking whether they retain the traditional allegiance of trade unionists to the Labour Party or how far this has become strained leading to alignments with political alternatives. I conclude by speculating upon the role of the trades unions in mediating prevailing ideologies and constituting social identities.

I’m much more conscious of political things now than I would have been. I didn’t previously see that politics was any sort of part of my interest, but actually it is part of my job and my role within the union. I’m much more politically aware… it’s through courses, but also because I’m just thinking more about how do you actually effect change, so if this is unfair how can you actually make a difference? And it seems to me that there are some people who have more power to change things than others. And that automatically leads to a political view or a need to have political input of some sort.

Elizabeth, Equality Rep