Solidarity at Work: Concepts, Levels and Challenges

Abstract

Solidarity is not a unified phenomenon with unchanging qualities; it partakes of moral, political and performative elements that are underpinned and reinforced by a shared work context, an organisational infrastructure and an institutional frame which together create distinctive path dependencies in solidarity across different forms of capitalism. Neo-liberalism has challenged these path dependencies by changing the material conditions and the ideological terrain, by heightening the diversity of the workforce, by restructuring the institutional context. However, this is not the end of solidarity and the article addresses the question of what sort of solidarities are now emerging and how.

Solidarities In and Through Work in an Age of Extremes

“…These different types of solidarity are underpinned by collective action and solidarity at three levels: the workplace and the community; the organisational level including trade unions; and the institutional level. Morgan and Pulignano (2019) consider this framework in light of its application to the current transnational era to argue that solidarity is a contested concept which depends on particular contexts.…”

“…The flip side to being part of such a collective is, as Morgan and Pulignano (2019; this issue) point out, that it can be exclusionary, especially where unions were traditionally male dominated or even actively excluded women, for example. Yet work and employment is changing and with it the types of work that may be undertaken, the way in which work is organised and, with it, the forms of solidarity that are required and possible.…”

“…Despite the importance of multiple forms of solidarity, that are not reducible to organised labour and trade union practice, solidarity is a form of identification which depends on individuals knowing, engaging with and, potentially, supporting other individuals around them. As Morgan and Pulignano (2019; this issue) point out, such alignment or non-alignment reflects the social capital (Putnam, 2001) that individuals may draw on in bonding with similar individuals within their group or in bridging and networking across groups. Essential and fundamental to both processes is that they are reciprocal and mutually reliant on each other, which distinguishes solidarity from charity.…”

“…The articles included in this special issue are testament to the range of ways available to consider solidarity. In our first article, Morgan and Pulignano (2019) consider solidarity as a contested concept which requires re-examination and theorisation for the transnational era. In this conceptual piece, a clear distinction is made to differentiate three sets of resources used by actors to explain and enact solidarity.…”

“…Morgan and Pulignano (2019) consider this framework in light of its application to the current transnational era to argue that solidarity is a contested concept which depends on particular contexts. An understanding of these concepts is essential, especially when considering the pitfalls and potentialities of solidarity.…”