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Union collective action, social movement unionism and worker freedom in New Zealand

Authors
  • Jane PARKER (European Trade Union Institute (Brussels) and School of Management, Massey University (Auckland))
  • Ozan ALAKAVUKLAR (School of Governance, Utrecht University)

Abstract

Freedom of association can include the right of labour unions to take collective action in the interest of their members. In this regard, it is presumed that unions increase worker freedom. However, there is little literature on how worker freedom as self‐actualization is linked to union collective action involving coalition‐building with civil society. This article uses the notions of freedom according to Berlin (1969) and MacCallum (1967) to assess the meaning of such coalition‐building for worker freedom. It then employs a radical democratic perspective (Laclau and Mouffe 2001) of union engagement with the Just Transition in New Zealand to explore how unions enhance worker freedom.

Keywords: worker rights, trade unionism, collective action, Freedom, New Zealand, social movement

How to Cite:

PARKER, J. & ALAKAVUKLAR, O., (2023) “Union collective action, social movement unionism and worker freedom in New Zealand”, ILR Test Journal 162(1), 147–170. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/ilr.12356

Rights: © The authors 2022 Journal compilation © International Labour Organization 2023

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Published on
2023-03-02

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