A1 Journal article (refereed)
Working towards a green job? : Autoworkers, climate change and the role of collective identity in union renewal (2022)

Allan, K., & Robinson, J. (2022). Working towards a green job? : Autoworkers, climate change and the role of collective identity in union renewal. Journal of Industrial Relations, 64(4), 585-607. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221856221088153

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Allan, Kori; Robinson, Joanna

Journal or series: Journal of Industrial Relations

ISSN: 0022-1856

eISSN: 1472-9296

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 29/03/2022

Volume: 64

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 585-607

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00221856221088153

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

This article examines the important, yet under-examined, issue of green workforce development and industrial relations and the role of unions and workers in shaping a transition to a green economy. Based on interviews with labour leaders and rank-and-file workers in the auto manufacturing sector in Ontario, Canada, this article interrogates how environmentalism and climate change potentially construct a sense of purpose among heterogenous union members, particularly in the context of decreasing union power, de-industrialization and neoliberalism. In order to understand how climate change can shape union purpose, we investigate how a diverse range of union members – beyond leaders – understand climate change and the appropriate strategies to address it and how this sustains or hinders collective identity within the union. We argue that understanding internal differences in collective identities is key for unions to start to rebuild power resources. Our research demonstrates that future union success and solidarity among workers might be dependent on the ability of unions to recognize and negotiate multiple collective identities. By incorporating innovations into the union, a more flexible and multi-dimensional collective identity regarding labour environmentalism could be built and sustained.

Keywords: automobile industry; ecological modernisation; green economy; employees; federations of trade unions; group identity; solidarity; human agency

Free keywords: labour unions; climate change; collective identity; green jobs; ecological modernization; union solidarity

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1