We are pleased to announce the publication of “Experimenting for Union Renewal: Challenges, Illustrations and Lessons”, written by Gregor Murray (Université de Montréal) and Mélanie Laroche (Université de Montréal).
Trade unions across the globe face a range of disruptions that are destabilising traditional structures, practices and strategies. This book sets out a novel approach centred on experimentation in response to these disruptions. Drawing on in-depth analysis of cases of union innovation in a broad selection of countries and industries, a stellar cast of researchers report on and draw lessons from these renewal initiatives. Aggregating these experiments enables us to identify a number of rich, cross-disciplinary findings to support such initiatives.
Initial chapters set out the approach and provide an overview of the eighteen case studies. Subsequent sections group the cases thematically: contending with neoliberalism, the fissured gig economy, value chain initiatives between South and North, an expanding trade union agenda, pursuing innovations in union repertoires and methods, and developing new forms of inclusion and solidarity. The case studies cover a wide geographical spread, from emerging economies in Africa, Asia and Latin America, to cases in Europe, North America and Australia. To ensure accessibility for both trade unionists and researchers, and to facilitate cross-case comparisons, the case studies use a common template.
The final chapter draws out practical lessons in relation to the strategic capabilities required to engage in experimentation, the diversification and enlargement of union strategic repertoires, and the conditions of success for such experimentation. These cases of experimentation indicate that the fundamentals of union purpose and the promotion of better work remain as important as ever, but they are under challenge. The lens of experimentation offers a practical approach, exploring multiple dimensions of worker and union creativity and resilience with a view to stimulating, monitoring and further developing the processes of renewal under way.
The digital version (PDF) of this book is available free of charge on the ETUI’s website.
