We’re excited to announce that UWU will be hosting a free online seminar open to members and the general public. Prof Jane Holgate, (Professor of Work and Employment Relations, University of Leeds Business School) will discuss themes from her book, Arise and the important lessons for the future of trade unionism.
Register now
Seminar title: Arise! Power, strategy and union resurgence
Date and time: Monday 20 September, 6pm BST
Location: Online – joining instructions will be emailed to registered attendees by Friday 17 September
Availability: Registration is free and is open to UWU members and the general public.
NEW – Registered attendees will get an exclusive 30% discount code for Jane’s book which will be circulated with the event joining instructions by Friday 17 September.
Registration has now closed.
In Arise, Jane Holgate argues that unions must revisit their understanding of power in order to regain influence and confront capital. Drawing on two decades of research and organising experience, Holgate examines the structural inertia of today’s unions from a range of perspectives, from strategic choice, leadership and union democracy to politics, tactics and the agency afforded to rank-and-file members. Drawing on history and case studies of unions developing and using power effectively, this book offers strategies for moving beyond the pessimism that prevails in much of today’s union movement. By placing power analysis back at the heart of workers’ struggle, Holgate shows us that transformational change is not only possible, but within reach.
Reviews
“In examining the problems that we have to face to rebuild the movement, this analysis of power, who has it and how to build it, is a must-read for aspiring activists. An essential book for those who are committed to the idea that trade unionism is a vehicle through which we can organise to delivering transformative change for all workers.”
Wilf Sullivan, Race Equality Officer for the Trades Union Congress (TUC)
“Part history text, part employment relations research; Jane Holgate’s book critiques decades of union renewal strategies in the UK and questions assumptions from both the left and right over how to regain collective power rather than just recruit new members.”
Dave Smith is a blacklisted construction worker and co-author of ‘Blacklisted: The Secret War Between Big Business and Union Activists’
“A must-read – by a top-class scholar, union educator and activist, and written with exceptional clarity. Readers will come away with a deeper understanding of the world and with the tools to change it.”
John Kelly, Emeritus Professor of Industrial Relations at Birkbeck College University of London