Pannini, Elisa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8258-5986 (2025) Chapter 10. Organising marginalised workers: Unions’ contribution to democracy and progressive politics. In: Mattoni, Alice, (ed.) Handbook of Progressive Politics. Political Science and Public Policy 2025 . Edward Elgar Publishing, Northampton, Massachusetts, US, pp. 159-174. ISBN 978-1800880634; 978-1800880641 (doi:10.4337/9781800880641.00018)

PDF (Accepted Book Chapter) 50103 PANNINI_Chapter_10_Organising_Marginalised_Workers_Unions_Contribution_To_Democracy_And_Progressive_Politics_(AAM BOOK CHAPTER)_2025.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 21 March 2026. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (306kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Trade unions have a history of supporting progressive politics and contributing to fostering democracy in society. This chapter discusses their role as progressive forces, despite the challenges of adapting to changing labour markets and finding new ways to represent an evolving workforce. Unions can greatly contribute towards ‘substantive’ forms of democracy by helping to improve the conditions of marginalised workers in their jobs and within society, admitting them to additional levels of power and supporting their claims to access fundamental rights. By analysing the different phases of a campaign by unionised outsourced cleaners, the chapter discusses the influence of each stage of workers' mobilisation in regards to different aspects of democracy; this encourages a reflection on unions’ potential, their contribution to progressive politics, and the importance of the more substantive meaning of democracy.

Item Type:	Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Unions, marginalised workers, organising, industrial democracy
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JC Political theory
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Greenwich Business School Greenwich Business School > School of Management and Marketing
Last Modified:	25 Mar 2025 12:06
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/50103

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads