Why Queer Workers Make Good Organisers

Bibliographic Data

ID2374444
AuthorsMichelle Esther O’brien (0000-0002-6363-9499, New York University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume35
Issue5
Pages819-836
Publication date2021-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueWork Employment and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0950-0170 • E-ISSN: 1469-8722
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0950017020940147
OpenAlexW3081860247
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited60

LGBTQ retail workers act as leaders in workplace organising efforts, and union organisers identify their contributions as strengthening campaigns. What explains this propensity of queer and trans workers to labour organising and the resulting successful outcomes? Prior literature has identified that other demographics of oppressed workers similarly show strong support for labour organising, and the campaigns they lead are more likely to be successful, but without detailing what mechanisms may explain this link. Through in-depth interviews with labour organisers and worker-leaders in NYC retail worker rights and unionisation campaigns, this article finds queer workers bring to organising efforts their (1) prior experiences of workplace harassment and marginalisation, (2) prior social movement activity, (3) indigenous social networks, (4) affective skills developed in queer countercultures and (5) their use of creative expression. These factors could similarly explain the workplace organising efficacy of other oppressed social groups

Demographics · Harassment · Indigenous · Political science · Public relations · Queer · Sociology · Gender Studies · Global trade, sustainability, and social impact · Labor Movements and Unions · Law · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy