The meaning and making of union delegate networks

David Peetz, Georgina Murray, Olav Muurlink and Maggie May
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Olav Muurlink: Central Queensland University, Australia
Maggie May: Griffith University, Australia

The Economic and Labour Relations Review, 2015, vol. 26, issue 4, 596-613

Abstract: Networks are a subject of growing research interest. Yet union networks, particularly networks of delegates, and ways to build them, are still poorly understood. This is a study of the meaning that workplace union delegates assign to networks of support. It explores the characteristics of effective delegate and union networks and influences upon them. Effective networks are a combination of strong and weak ties, such that delegates sometimes do not recognise they are part of a network. Our three-stage research methodology involved delegate focus groups, a paper-based self-completion questionnaire of recently trained delegates (N = 473) and a follow-up telephone survey (N = 145). It found that organisers were key to creation of internal workplace networks (although they did not necessarily establish them) and in providing a bridge for delegates with external networks. They were the key support person for many delegates. Networks took a variety of forms. Only a minority were formalised. A majority were mainly internal to the workplace. Social media were rarely used, with little intention of using them more, and were, we suspect, underutilised.

Keywords: Informal networks; networks; network-building; social capital; social media; trade unions; union delegates; union networks; union organisers; weak ties; workplace relations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J51 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:ecolab:v:26:y:2015:i:4:p:596-613

DOI: 10.1177/1035304615614717

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