British trade unions and the academics

The case of Unionlearn

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3832181
AutoresJohn Mcilroy (Middlesex University), Richard Croucher (0000-0002-9617-734X, Middlesex University)
Ano2013
Volume37
Fascículo2
Páginas263-284
Data de publicação2013-06-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCapital & Class (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0309-8168 • E-ISSN: 2041-0980
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0309816813487134
OpenAlexW2163132383
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas10
Referências citadas31

Unionlearn and union learning representatives were developed by the British TUC to match workers with education and training opportunities, strengthen the economy, foster market inclusion and facilitate social mobility. Their contribution to union revitalisation was emphasised. This article questions whether, with unions confronting global crisis, this is a necessary initiative. It stemmed from TUC failure to achieve policy goals, institutional needs, consequent acceptance of a lesser role, and the availability of state finance. Claims by academics that it provides influence over state policy and contributes to revitalisation remain inadequately evidenced. Union resurgence is not immanent. The way forward is through adversarial grassroots organising and socialist education, not through retooling capital, improving members' marketability and partnership with a hostile state

Economic growth · Economics · General partnership · Grassroots · Labour economics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Social Partnership · Social science · Sociology · Trade union · Employment and Welfare Studies · Labor Movements and Unions · Law · Political and Economic history of UK and US · Public Administration