Fusion or replacement? Labour and the ‘new’ social movements

Abstract

A neglected element of Rethinking Industrial Relations is its critique of post-modernism. This article argues that this is regrettable on three grounds. First, core claims that characterized the postmodern account of employment relations at the time that Kelly was writing continue to be made today; particula l ith ega d to the ha a te isti s of e so ial o e e ts a d thei apa it to epla e la ou as the ai d a i fo e ad a i g e plo ee i te ests. Se o d, Kell s iti ue of post-modernism remains relevant and his observations with regard to the multiple forms and modes of action of new social movements continue to have force. Third, Kelly suggested that rather than replacing labour, new social movements were natural allies of trade unions. His argument here anticipated much later work on union-community coalitions and the final purpose of the article is to update Kell s fusio thesis ide tif i g the a s i hi h la ou a d e so ial o e e ts work together.

Not so exceptional? Prosocial influences on union support among US workers

“…Workers who support unions, e.g., who vote for them, are indicating support not only for their own terms and conditions of employment but also for social justice and a better society. This underscores the potential of Kelly's 'fusion thesis,' whereby unions can form viable alliances with social movements, such as those supporting immigrant rights, women's rights, anti-racism, a living wage, environmentalism, and gender equity in order to effect social change (Heery, 2018;Kelly, 1998). Such coalitions provide an empowered 'united front for progressive social change [and] the union movement is then better positioned to recruit new members, extend its range of influence, and modernize its image and broaden its social purpose' (Kaufman, 2018: 592).…”

¿Aliados naturales? Sindicatos, movimientos sociales y tercer sector durante la crisis económica de 2008 en España

“…La tesis de la «fusión» de Kelly ha sido adoptada por numerosos investigadores. Varios trabajos han encontrado casos significativos de colaboración entre estas organizaciones, incluyendo la creación de alianzas; la integración de sindicatos en organizaciones de movimiento social; sindicatos que imitan a los movimientos; e incluso la absorción de organizaciones comunitarias dentro de las estructuras sindicales (Heery, 2018). Algunas experiencias de centros de trabajadores en Estados Unidos (Avedaño y Hiatt, 2012;Narro et al, 2015;Roca, CIRIEC-España, Revista de Economía Pública, Social y Cooperativa I.S.S.N.…”

Bricolage in labor organizing practices: Spanish and Italian migrant activists in Berlin

“…Despite these differences, after Kelly's work, many studies have supported his 'fusion' thesis. They have found interesting and enduring cross-movement collaboration cases involving coalition-building, affiliation with social movement organizations, union imitation of those movements, and union absorption of community groups (Heery, 2018).…”