“We Can’t Just Wrap Ourselves in the Flag:” Labour Nationalism, Global Solidarity, and the 2016 Fight to Save gm Oshawa

Journal of Labor and Society ◽

10.1163/24714607-bja10040 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-28

Author(s):

Chris Fairweather

Keyword(s):

Collective Action ◽

General Motors ◽

Common Response ◽

Action Frame ◽

Global Solidarity ◽

At Home

Abstract Global labour studies scholarship has increasingly recognized the importance of building global solidarity of workers and their unions in response to globalization. Despite this, the labour movement’s embrace of global solidarity as a response to globalization has been incomplete, and at times contradictory. The more common response to globalization has been labour nationalism, which has commanded far less attention in the literature. This paper considers labour nationalism from the perspective of emerging theories of global solidarity, offering a 2016 rank-and-file-driven campaign to save a General Motors plant in Ontario as a case study in labour nationalism. Although nationalism continues to be a relatively effective mobilizing device, Unifor Local 222 has had very little success ‘keeping good jobs in Canada.’ Instead, the union has entrenched a collective action frame that makes space for more xenophobic and racist expressions of nationalism and undermines the prospects of building solidarity abroad and, paradoxically, at home.

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Understanding the Outcomes of Climate Change Campaigns in the Australian Environmental Movement

Case Studies in the Environment ◽

10.1525/cse.2018.001651 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Robyn Gulliver ◽

Kelly S. Fielding ◽

Winnifred Louis

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Collective Action ◽

Environmental Advocacy ◽

Personal Support ◽

Governmental Organizations ◽

Collective Response ◽

Non Governmental Organizations ◽

Advocacy Network ◽

Australian Climate

Climate change is a global problem requiring a collective response. Grassroots advocacy has been an important element in propelling this collective response, often through the mechanism of campaigns. However, it is not clear whether the climate change campaigns organized by the environmental advocacy groups are successful in achieving their goals, nor the degree to which other benefits may accrue to groups who run them. To investigate this further, we report a case study of the Australian climate change advocacy sector. Three methods were used to gather data to inform this case study: content analysis of climate change organizations’ websites, analysis of website text relating to campaign outcomes, and interviews with climate change campaigners. Findings demonstrate that climate change advocacy is diverse and achieving substantial successes such as the development of climate change-related legislation and divestment commitments from a range of organizations. The data also highlights additional benefits of campaigning such as gaining access to political power and increasing groups’ financial and volunteer resources. The successful outcomes of campaigns were influenced by the ability of groups to sustain strong personal support networks, use skills and resources available across the wider environmental advocacy network, and form consensus around shared strategic values. Communicating the successes of climate change advocacy could help mobilize collective action to address climate change. As such, this case study of the Australian climate change movement is relevant for both academics focusing on social movements and collective action and advocacy-focused practitioners, philanthropists, and non-governmental organizations.

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