The Early Mobilization of Women Union Leaders — A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

This article explores the initial reasons for union joining of women who became union leaders in the UK and the USA by drawing on concepts from mobilization theory and the literature on women and unions. The comparative study demonstrates similarities and differences in early mobilization influences on UK and US women with respect to family, ideology, instrumentality and injustice. Informed by the women and unions literature, the article critiques mobilization theorists for failing to problematize the term ‘injustice’ and underplaying the importance of ideology which are shown to be gendered and racialized and located in time and place.

The limitations of the theory and practice of mobilization in trade union organizing

“…We focus on sense of injustice, framing, and leadership, as these are the three areas that emerge most often in published empirical studies using Kelly's book. That is not to say that we dismiss historical context and ideology as important factors when assessing the empirical examples (e.g., Healy and Kirton 2013). Rather, we focus here on these three areas because they offer the richest material to evaluate.…”

“…As might be expected, injustice was central to many of the studies using mobilization theory to understand union activity (see for example: Healy and Kirton, 2013, Pearson, et al, 2010, Edwards, 2009, Gahan and Pekarek, 2013, but this was also where there was critique from authors who argue the notion of injustice needs to be better conceptualised. Healy and Kirton (2013) draw upon Kelly's work to understand the early mobilizing influences on women trade union leaders in the UK and USA.…”

“…That is not to say that we dismiss historical context and ideology as important factors when assessing the empirical examples (e.g. Healy and Kirton 2013). Rather, we focus here on these three areas because they offer the richest material to evaluate.…”

“…Buttigieg et al, 2008; Edwards, 2009; Gahan and Pekarek, 2013; Healy and Kirton, 2013; Pearson et al, 2010), but this was also where there was critique from authors who argue the notion of injustice needs to be better conceptualized. Healy and Kirton (2013) draw upon Kelly’s work to understand the early mobilizing influences on women trade union leaders in the UK and USA. In their research, they found that participation in unions is often based upon social identification with fellow workers, more so than with workplace injustice alone, and this arose from the ideological influences of feminism and political activism of their interviewees.…”

Gender differences in the union wage premium? A comparative case study

“…Unions in Britain have since been successful in negotiating improvements in workplace policies and practices that have been of particular benefit to primary carers, most of whom are women (Bryson and Forth, 2016; Budd and Mumford, 2004). However, Kirton’s research (Healy and Kirton, 2000, 2013; Kirton, 2006, 2015) suggests that the largely male-dominated unions are less responsive to women’s needs and that women face difficulties balancing union participation with other areas of life.…”