The Prospects for Workplace Trade Unionism: Evaluating Fairbrother's Union Renewal Thesis

Abstract

Peter Fairbrother has extensively developed the thesis of ‘union renewal’, which seeks to show that the challenges posed to contemporary trade unionism can be met by changes in the form of unionism. This critique, while welcoming the general thrust of the thesis, questions its validity and application as a result of its failure to consider a number of areas and issues. TRADE UNIONISM IN BRITAIN is universally recognised as experiencing deep-seated and long-standing difficulties. However considerable disagreement exists amongst trade unionists, the left and academics over what can be done to remedy this malaise. Fairbrother (1989, 1990, 1994a, 1994b, 1996a, 1996b, 1998) has made a significant contribution to the under-considered question of what conditions and processes are necessary for workplace trade unionism to regain its former influence and avoid a number of deficiencies characteristic of its behaviour in more influential periods. In making a critical but constructive and fraternal assessment of Fairbrother's work, it essential to start by stressing the common points of agreement.