Abstract
The vast majority of studies dealing with trade unions and young workers explain the low unionisation rate of this membership category by focussing on what — supposedly — is the intrinsically low propensity or reduced opportunities of young workers to become unionised. This is a phenomenon to which unions could respond by, for instance, launching campaigns targeted at students and offering a sample experience of union membership, focussing on ‘like-for-like’-recruitment, and stepping up their efforts at greenfield organising. Yet the pressures for union revitalisation are not dependent upon environmental factors alone; internal dynamics within the unions themselves can also stimulate innovation (Heery, 2005). Until recently, research seeking to explain the wide underrepresentation of young workers in unions has paid less attention to such endogenous, union-related reasons. This chapter, which is exploratory in nature, contributes to this alternative approach by asking, as its central question, to what extent unions promote ‘deliberative vitality’ (Lévesque and Murray, 2010) aimed at their young members. This deliberative vitality — defined here as the integration and participation of young members in union life and the internal union structures — is crucial to unions. Together with cohesive (intergenerational) collective identities, it underpins one of the power resources available to unions, namely internal solidarity, which is a prerequisite for effectively influencing the regulation of work.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bielski Boris, M., Grabelsky, J., Margolies, K. and Reynolds, D. (2013) ‘Next up: the promise of AFL–CIO-affiliated young worker groups’, Working USA, 16: 227–252.
Brown Johnson, N. and Jarley, P. (2005) ‘Unions as social capital: the impact of trade union youth programmes on young workers’ political and community engagement’, Transfer, 11: 605–616.
Byford, I. (2009) ‘Union renewal and young people: some positive indications from British supermarkets’, in G. Gall (ed.) The Future of Union Organising. Building for Tomorrow, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan: 223–238.
Cockburn, C. (1996) ‘Strategies for gender democracy: strengthening the representation of trade union women in the European Social Dialogue’, European Journal of Women’s Studies, 3: 7–26.
Crick, C. (2013) Our Time is Now. Young People and Unions: Lessons From Overseas, London: Unite the Union.
Cultiaux, J. and Vendramin, P. (2011) Militer au quotidien. Regard prospectif sur le travail syndical de terrain, Louvain-la-Neuve: Presses universitaires de Louvain. da Paz Campos Lima, M. and Martín Artiles, A. (2013) ‘Youth voice(s) in EU countries and social movements in southern Europe’, Transfer, 19: 345–363.
Esders, L., Bailey, J. and McDonald, P. (2011) ‘Declining youth membership. The views of union officials’, in R. Price, P. McDonald, J. Bailey and B. Pini (eds) Young people and work, Farnham: Ashgate: 263–281.
Geelan, T. (2013) ‘Responses of trade union confederations to the employment crisis’, Transfer, 19: 399–413.
Gumbrell-McCormick, R. and Hyman, R. (2013) Trade Unions in Western Europe: Hard Times, Hard Choices, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Heery, E. (2005) ‘Sources of change in trade unions’, Work, Employment and Society, 19: 91–106.
Hodder, A. (2014) ‘Organising young workers in the Public and Commercial Services Union’, Industrial Relations Journal, 45: 153–168.
Kelly, J. and Frege, C. (eds) (2004) Varieties of Unionism: Comparative Strategies for Union Renewal, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Laroche, M. and Dufour-Poirier, M. (2013) ‘Revitalizing union action: the impact of youth committees in a public sector labour federation in Québec’, Just Labour, 20: 1–11.
Ledwith, S. (2012) ‘Gender politics in trade unions. The representation of women between exclusion and inclusion’, Transfer, 18: 185–199.
Lévesque, C. and Murray, G. (2010) ‘Understanding union power: resources and capabilities for renewing union capacity’, Transfer, 16: 333–350.
Marino, S. (2010) ‘Trade union inclusion of migrant and ethnic minority workers. Comparing Italy and the Netherlands’, European Journal of Industrial Relations, 18: 5–20.
McKay, H. and Kirton, G. (2013) ‘A woman’s place — women’s separate organizing in unions’, in G. Kirton and G. Healy (eds), Gender and Leadership in Unions, London: Routledge: 203–228.
Parker, J. and Douglas, J. (2010) ‘Can women’s structures help New Zealand and UK trade unions’ revival?’ Journal of Industrial Relations, 52: 439–458.
Peetz, D. (2010) ‘Are individualistic attitudes killing collectivism’, Transfer, 16: 383–398.
Price, R., McDonald, P., Bailey, J. and Pini, B. (2011) ‘A majority experience: young people’s encounters with the labour market’, in R. Price, P. McDonald, J. Bailey and B. Pini (eds) Young People and Work, Farnham: Ashgate: 1–17.
Simms, M. (2011) Helping Young Workers During the Crisis: Contributions by Social Partners and Public Authorities, Dublin: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Vandaele, K. (2012) ‘Youth representatives’ opinions on recruiting and representing young workers. A twofold unsatisfied demand?’ European Journal of Industrial Relations, 18: 203–218.
Vandaele, K. (2013) ‘Union responses to young workers since the Great Recession in Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden: are youth structures re-orienting the union agenda?’ Transfer, 20: 381–397.
Visser, J. (2009) ‘The quality of industrial relations and the Lisbon Strategy’, in European Commission, Industrial Relations in Europe 2008, Luxembourg: Publications Office: 44–72.
Waddington, J. (2014) ‘Trade union membership retention in Europe: the challenge of difficult times’, doi: 0959680114538708, first published on 20 June.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2015 Kurt Vandaele
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Vandaele, K. (2015). Trade Unions’ ‘Deliberative Vitality’ towards Young Workers: Survey Evidence across Europe. In: Hodder, A., Kretsos, L. (eds) Young Workers and Trade Unions. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137429537_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137429537_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-68255-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-42953-7
eBook Packages: Palgrave Business & Management CollectionBusiness and Management (R0)