Countering the hegemony of neoliberalism in the workplace: A freirean analysis of the contribution of union-led learning to enhanced worker participation in the UK

BENNETT, Anthony (2020). Countering the hegemony of neoliberalism in the workplace: A freirean analysis of the contribution of union-led learning to enhanced worker participation in the UK. Journal of Participation and Employee Ownership.

[img]
Preview
PDF
AJWBennett 150820b.pdf - Accepted Version
Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.

Download (341kB) | Preview
Official URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110...
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1108/JPEO-10-2019-0026

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically assess the degree to which current union learning strategy and practice in the UK can become a catalyst for greater activism and participation by their members in the workplace and beyond. To this end, the paper seeks to draw on the rich heritage of pedagogic theory and practice in adult education writing to bring a fresh perspective to a key aspect of industrial relations. Findings Utilising the radical perspective of Paulo Freire, the article critically analyses the key elements of current union learning strategies in the UK. The paper concludes that union pedagogy strategy not just often raises members' awareness, as Freire would advocate, of their ‘subordinate’ position in society, but potentially also genuinely equips them with the skills, knowledge and understanding to challenge that position through subsequent union activism and, therefore, greater participation in decision-making in the workplace. Union facilitated learning, it is argued, can also develop the skills and knowledge necessary to increase members’ job security. Design Through a meta-analysis of the current literature on the role of union learning representatives, learning centres and the context of that learning, the paper seeks to enhance our understanding of how such initiatives in addition to upskilling workers also lead to members’ greater enlightenment with respect to the asymmetric power relations within the workplace and society. Using a conceptual model devised by the author from Freirean theory, this potentially increased awareness of their position in the organisation and society leading to greater levels of subsequent activism and participation by these learners is then critically assessed. Originality To the author’s knowledge, this is the first time that a Freirean analysis has been applied to this key element of contemporary trade union strategy and practice. In particular, the study seeks to also go beyond most studies of union pedagogic approaches and focus also on the learner’s journey and how this may imbue a propensity to become more active in the union and, therefore, the workplace

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1108/JPEO-10-2019-0026
SWORD Depositor: Symplectic Elements
Depositing User: Symplectic Elements
Date Deposited: 26 Aug 2020 14:17
Last Modified: 17 Mar 2021 23:15
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27078

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics