UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Sunday 3 August 2014

Opposing Austerity - organising and action strategies

'UK trade unions have not developed adequate strategies to challenge the acceleration of neoliberal transformation of public services through outsourcing, private finance and privatisation,' writes Dexter Whitfield in a briefing for The Australian Workplace Innovation and Research Centre (WISeR). In a wide ranging analysis of both trade union and political responses to austerity in Europe and North America since 2008, Whitfield concludes that the labour movement has been found wanting and calls for the development of more participative democratic forms of decision making: 'Traditional industrial action, such as one-day strikes and large national demonstrations had an important role in strengthening solidarity and gaining support, but did not significantly change austerity policies'
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/wiser/docs/WISeR-ESSU_OpposingAusterity2014.pdf