Campbell (2019) Zero hours work arrangements in New Zealand

Campbell, Iain. 2019. “Zero Hours Work Arrangements in New Zealand: Union Action, Public Controversy and Two Regulatory Initiatives.” Pp. 91-110 in Zero Hours and On-Call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries, edited by Michelle O’Sullivan et al. Berlin: Springer Press.

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the intriguing story of a campaign in New Zealand against zero hours contracts, which began with trade union action in the fast food industry and spread quickly to the national parliament, where legislation aimed at prohibiting zero hours contracts was unanimously passed in 2016. It outlines the socio-economic context, pointing to the legacy of radical neoliberal reforms in the 1990s, which removed working-time protection for many employees and led to a proliferation of casualised work practices, including zero hours work arrangements. It reviews evidence concerning the extent and profile of zero hours work arrangements, the negative impacts on precariousness or insecurity and the causes of growth. The chapter suggests that the recent regulatory initiatives, centred on a principle of guaranteed minimum hours, fall short of abolition of zero hours work arrangements, but they nevertheless represent a valuable step forward for New Zealand workers and they offer important lessons for similar campaigns in other countries.

Keywords

Zero hours Casual On-demand Permanent Collective bargaining Fast food Legislation 

Campbell, Macdonald and Charlesworth (2019) On-demand work in Australia

Campbell, Iain, Fiona Macdonald and Sara Charlesworth. 2019. “On-demand Work in Australia.” Pp. 67-90 in Zero Hours and On-Call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries, edited by Michelle O’Sullivan et al. Berlin: Springer Press.

Abstract

This chapter examines on-demand (or ‘on-call’) work in Australia, understood as work arrangements in which the worker agrees to be available for work and is called into work as and when she/he is needed by the employer. We focus on the two main types of on-demand work: (a) zero hours work arrangements; and (b) minimum-hour work arrangements. Both are highly precarious forms of work, linked to negative consequences for workers. On-demand work has been neglected in much employment relations research in Australia, but it embraces a substantial minority of the workforce and constitutes a significant challenge for research and policy. The chapter outlines the emergence of on-demand work within regulatory gaps associated with casual work and permanent part-time work. It summarizes what is known about on-demand work and on-demand workers, drawing both on secondary labour force statistics and on case-study evidence in selected industries and enterprises. It concludes by noting the surprising lack of effective regulatory responses and by suggesting principles for future reform.

Keywords

Casual On-demand Part-time Labour regulation Fair work commission Regulatory responses 

Dave Bleakney and Aziz Choudryon (2019) in Canadian Dimension

Bleakney, Dave and Aziz Choudry. 2019. “Lessons in Labour Struggle: From the Margins to the Centre.” Canadian Dimension 52(4): 28-32.

Injustice at Unist’ot’en

Volume 52, Issue 4: Winter 2019

Micah Uetricht and Barry Eidlin (2019) “U.S. Union Revitalization and the Missing ‘Militant Minority’” (Labor Studies Journal)

Micah Uetricht and Barry Eidlin. 2019. “U.S. Union Revitalization and the Missing ‘Militant Minority.’” Labor Studies Journal 44(1):36-59.

U.S. Union Revitalization and the Missing “Militant Minority”

Micah Uetricht, Barry Eidlin

First Published March 4, 2019 Research Article 

https://doi.org/10.1177/0160449X19828470

Abstract

Debates on U.S. union decline and revival usually focus on policy, technical, or political fixes. Missing are discussions of bringing workers together to act collectively at work. This has historically been the job of a “militant minority,” workplace activists (often leftists) who brought militancy and dynamism to unions, dedication and personal sacrifice in organizing, who linked workplace and community struggles, who were involved in unions’ day-to-day activities, and who connected rank and filers to leadership. This layer is largely missing today, making labor revitalization difficult. In explaining who the “militant minority” was, how it worked, and why it disappeared, we can find clues for rebuilding it.

Keywords militant minority, socialism, communism, labor movement, strikes

Elizabeth Humphrys (2019) “Halcyon Days?" in The Far Left in Australia since 1945 (ed. by Piccini, Smith and Worley)

Elizabeth Humphrys. 2019. “Halcyon Days? The Amalgamated Metal Workers’ Union and the Accord.” Ch. 13 in The Far Left in Australia since 1945, edited by Jon Piccini, Evan Smith and Matthew Worley. London: Routledge: London.

The far left in Australia had significant effects on post-war politics, culture and society. The Communist Party of Australia (CPA) ended World War II with some 20,000 members, and despite the harsh and vitriolic Cold War climate of the 1950s, seeded or provided impetus for the re-emergence of other movements. Radicals subscribing to ideologies beyond the Soviet orbit – Maoists, Trotskyists, anarchists and others – also created parties and organisations and led movements. All of these different far left parties and movements changed and shifted during time, responding to one political crisis or another, but they remained steadfastly devoted to a better world.

This collection, bringing together 14 chapters from leading and emerging figures in the Australian and international historical profession, for the first time charts some of these significant moments and interventions, revealing the Australian far left’s often forgotten contribution to the nation’s history.

Ernesto Noronha, Premilla D’Cruz and Muneeb Ul Lateef Banday (2018) Navigating Embeddedness (Journal of Business Ethics)

Ernesto Noronha, Premilla D’Cruz and Muneeb Ul Lateef Banday. 2018. “Navigating Embeddedness: Experiences of Indian IT Suppliers and Employees in the Netherlands.” Journal of Business Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-4071-3 

21.11.2018 | Original Paper

Navigating Embeddedness: Experiences of Indian IT Suppliers and Employees in the Netherlands

Zeitschrift:

 

Journal of Business Ethics

Autoren:

 

Ernesto Noronha, Premilla D’Cruz, Muneeb Ul Lateef Banday

» Jetzt Zugang zum Volltext erhalten

Abstract

In this article, we shift the usual analytical attention of the GPN framework from lead firms to suppliers in the network and from production to IT services. Our focus is on how Indian IT suppliers embed in the Netherlands along the threefold characterization of societal, territorial and network embeddedness. We argue that Indian IT suppliers attempt to display societal embeddedness when they move to The Netherlands. Our findings reveal that the endeavour by Indian IT suppliers to territorially dis-embed from the Dutch context is reinforced by their peripheral position in the network and their ability to offshore work in a bid to contain costs, in addition to the influence of client domination. Therefore, territorial embeddedness is considered to be secondary to societal embeddedness which is intertwined with client interest while neglecting the interest of other network members. Nonetheless, the inter-firm relationship is complex, given the tension between societal, territorial and network embeddedness. While preferring Indian IT suppliers because of their low pricing, Dutch clients also insist on compliance with the institutional context of the Netherlands especially when it comes to Dutch employees. This results in hybridization which means that Indian IT suppliers find ways to adhere to the institutional framework for Dutch nationals while simultaneously insulating Indian employees from the same. Consequently, a highly unfair segmented internal labour market develops, with Dutch nationals being treated more favourably as compared to Indian nationals. Nonetheless, to address these violations, Indian employees prefer individual strategies of resilience and rework rather than a collectivization response.

Ernesto Noronha, Saikat Chakraborty and Premilla D’Cruz (2018) Doing Dignity Work (Journal of Business Ethics)

Ernesto Noronha, Saikat Chakraborty and Premilla D’Cruz. 2018. “‘Doing Dignity Work’: Indian Security Guards’ Interface with Precariousness.” Journal of Business Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-3996-x

22-08-2018 | Original Paper

‘Doing Dignity Work’: Indian Security Guards’ Interface with Precariousness

Journal:

 

Journal of Business Ethics

Authors:

 

Ernesto Noronha, Saikat Chakraborty, Premilla D’Cruz

» Get access to the full-text

Abstract

Increasing global competition has intensified the use of informal sector workforce worldwide. This phenomenon is true with regard to India, where 92% of the workers hold precarious jobs. Our study examines the dynamics of workplace dignity in the context of Indian security guards deployed as contract labour by private suppliers, recognising that security guards’ jobs were marked by easy access, low status, disrespect and precariousness. The experiences of guards serving bank ATMs were compared with those working in large reputed organisations. The former reported loss of dignity though their inherent self-worth remained partially intact, whereas the latter reclaimed dignity despite the precarious working conditions and the absence of unions. Guards from large reputed organisations evolved strategies by which they took advantage of the client’s  vulnerabilities, developed ‘thick’ relationships at work and immersed themselves in 'doing dignity work' to ensure that they are not disposable. ‘Doing dignity work’ was a visible device which involved actions that met or went beyond the norms laid down by the client and was used by security guards to limit the extent of their precariousness. Since the opportunity to reclaim dignity was facilitated by large reputed clients’ adherence to legal regulations, we see implications of the study for the moral economy.