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All together now? Renewal, revitalisation and the trade union equality representative
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Mamode, Joyce C. (2019) All together now? Renewal, revitalisation and the trade union equality representative. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3490114~S15
Abstract
Whilst academic interest in trade union modernisation has largely focused on the ‘organising turn’ and strategies to recruit new groups of members, less attention has been paid to initiatives seeking to modernise the way that trade unions represent their members at the workplace. This thesis explores this under-researched aspect of union modernisation through an evaluation of the trade union equality representative (ER). Based on a mixture of survey, interview and documentary data obtained from trade union officers, specialist staff and individual ERs from a broad range of British trade unions, this thesis examines how the role has contributed to trade union renewal, revitalisation and effectiveness outcomes. The findings confirm the existence of a sizable and diverse cadre of ERs, contributing both to the renewal of trade union workplace presence and to the revitalisation of union repertoires of practice in a way that places equality issues within the mainstream of workplace trade union concerns. Informal equality alliances between ERs and senior managers rather than more formal avenues for collective voice are identified as an important avenue through which ERs can influence employer’s equality practices. Facilitation-related activities relating to support and advice provided to individual union members are also identified as important factors contributing to the likelihood of successful influence. Informal communities of practices amongst ERs are highlighted as an important source of support they receive. Influence over sexual orientation equality practices is more likely if an ER identifies as LGBT and influence over race and religious belief equality more likely where an ER identifies as BME. Overall, the ER is found to be making a valuable contribution both to union modernisation and, to the cause of workplace equality justice, that could be further extended if the role were granted the statutory rights enjoyed by other trade union workplace representative roles.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HF Commerce |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Labor unions -- Great Britain, Diversity in the workplace -- Great Britain, Minority labor union members, Equality | ||||
Official Date: | December 2019 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Warwick Business School | ||||
Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Hoque, Kim, 1970- ; Dean, Deborah, 1963- | ||||
Format of File: | |||||
Extent: | 287 leaves : illustrations | ||||
Language: | eng |
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