Unions’ Conceptualizations of Members’ Professional Interests and Influence in the Workplace

Abstract


 
 
 The role of unions as agents of professional knowledge is seldom addressed in studies on working life relations.This article investigates how unions with different degrees of professionalization con- ceptualize members’ interests and influence in the workplace. Two unions of professionals and one general union in the Norwegian public sector are compared. The data consist of union documents, speeches, and interviews with 12 workplace representatives. A ‘union logic’ and ‘professional association logic’ are developed and applied as analytical ideal types, and the unions’ conceptualizations and combinations of these institutional logics are analyzed. The article finds similarities and differences between the unions and interesting differences between the unions’ micro and macro levels. Further, a distinct hybrid logic is identified as a ‘union of professionals logic’, with professional influence and the agency of elected representatives as key aspects. Introducing perspectives from the study of professions, the article contributes to a reconceptualization of the study of unions within the Nordic model – and beyond.
 
 

‘Not my task’: Role perceptions in a green transition among shop stewards in the Norwegian petroleum industry

“…A question in this regard is how roles constituted within this conflict partnership can represent interests and values that transcend this structured antagonism. Bie-Drivdal (2019, 2020, 2021) has made the most overt attempt at documenting role perceptions among local shop stewards in Norway. Her research on employer-driven professional development in public sector unions has relevant implications for how environmental workplace concerns can be incorporated into the micro-model.…”