scholarly journals ‘Women take care and men take charge’: The case of leadership and gender in the Public and Commercial Services Union

2020 ◽  
pp. 0143831X2094368
Author(s):  
Julie Prowse ◽  
Peter Prowse ◽  
Robert Perrett
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Union Leader ◽  
The Public ◽  
Union Leadership ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Union Leaders ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Survey Responses

This article presents the findings of a case study that aimed to understand the specific leadership styles that are valued by women and men lay representatives in the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and to determine the gendered implications for increasing women’s leadership and representation in trade unions. Survey responses from PCS lay representatives (reps) show the majority of women and men agreed that the leadership style they value, and that makes a good union leader, is post-heroic (communal) leadership. This approach is associated with leadership characteristics such as being helpful, sensitive and kind and are generally practised by women. This contrasts with male union leaders who are associated with a traditional, heroic (agentic) leadership style characterised by confidence, self-reliance and decisiveness. Although some differences exist that highlight gender issues, both women and men lay reps have positive attitudes towards increasing women’s representation and participation in union leadership.

A Case Study of a Hospital Workplace Culture of Injustice for Women Physicians

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-36
Author(s):  
Darrell Norman Burrell ◽  
Anton Shufutinsky ◽  
Shanta Bland ◽  
Cherise M. Cole ◽  
Jorja B Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ◽  
Female Physicians ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Survey Responses

Decades after the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued regulations surrounding sexual harassment, hospital medical centers still struggle to identify and implement policies and practices to proactively address and mitigate occurrences of sexual harassment and gender inequality. An organizational development intervention occurred in which all the female physicians completed a climate survey developed to evaluate the hospital's toxic corporate culture around equity and diversity. Survey responses highlight significant issues of concern around diversity and inclusion from the perspective of women in toxic workplace hospital settings, especially for female physicians.

Revitalizing Union Representation through Labor Education Initiatives: A Close Examination of Two Trade Unions in Quebec

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Laroche ◽  
Mélanie Dufour-Poirier
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
National Union ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
Informal Labor ◽  
Labor Education ◽  
Union Leaders ◽  
And Training

This article aims to explain whether and to what extent formal and informal labor education and training initiatives help increase union participation among young members. Between 2009 and 2014, twenty-two interviews were conducted with ten national union leaders and twelve young leaders in two trade union organizations operating in the public and private sectors in Quebec. To complement these data, fifty-three focus group discussions were held, involving more than four hundred thirty young members (under the age of thirty). Our results reveal the presence of three areas of tension associated with the internal functioning of these unions. They also point out some factors that may boost the participation of young workers, internally.

scholarly journals The depletion of narrative resources in the Kenyan trade union movement.

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 704-713
Author(s):  
Collins Ogutu Miruka
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Trade Union Movement ◽  
Labour Movement ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Union Movement ◽  
Union Leadership ◽  
Union Leaders ◽  
Labour Legislation ◽  
Depth Interviews

We discuss in this study the problems of mobilization and effectiveness faced by Kenyan trade unions. In a country with high levels of unemployment and weak labour legislation, it is imperative that the labour movement devise ways of remaining relevant and effective. We combine in-depth interviews with a qualitative assessment of secondary documents on trade unions in Kenya. We do this by looking at topics addressed, characterizations of unions as well as major actors such as union leaders, workers, and political leaders. We argue that labour leaders need to enrich their vocabularies of persuasion in order to neutralize the current discourses around trade unionism in Kenya. Such an approach would enable the union leadership to acquire new repertoires of action to enhance their capacity to mobilize.

scholarly journals Rethinking Strategy for Gender Equality in Trade Unions

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Indrasari Tjandraningsih
Keyword(s):  
Women Workers ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Union Leaders ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Trade Union Organization

<p class="p1">The non-strategic role and position of women workers in trade union organization, even in the women-dominated sector, is hardly changed even though the number of women members of trade unions is increasing. Various programs have been carried out to increase the strategic role of women in trade union organizations but so far have not shown significant results. Based on interviews with officers of gender equality programs for trade unions, union leaders and women and men members and literature studies this paper offers an idea of the need for a non-exclusive approach and actively and proportionally involving men in awareness-raising and gender equality programs for trade unions. This idea is based on the fact that in trade unions gender-related program is always left to or only involves women. The strategy in the gender equality awareness and improvement program that only involves women causes the program’s effectiveness to be low because half of the causes of the problem is not involved.</p>

scholarly journals Lloyd George and the Development of the British Government's Strikebreaking Organization

1975 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Desmarais
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Labor Disputes ◽  
Strike Activity ◽  
Public Records ◽  
The Public ◽  
Union Leaders ◽  
Post War

With the release of the Cabinet Papers for the Lloyd George post-war coahtion government and the opening of the Lloyd George papers in the Beaverbrook Library, the basis for a reinterpretation of the man and his era was made possible. And, indeed, several studies have been published already, most notably, by Americans. The thrust of these new works is to make a more sympathetic character of Lloyd George. Thus, Susan Armitage tells us, had he only not been so busy at peace conferences, Lloyd George would have seen to it that the labor disputes of the post-war years were less disruptive, that the grievances of the trade unions were given due consideration, and that more of the promises of the post-war Reconstruction Committee were realized. In the latter, she follows the lead of Paul Johnson, who was one of the first to plow the murky waters of the Public Records Office's offerings. Pointing a heavily accusing finger at Austen Chamberlain and the Treasury for withholding their blessing on “homes fit for heroes” and other Reconstruction plans, Johnson asks whether “an honest effprt” might have “headed off the militant strike activity” that denied Lloyd George's reconstruction plans the means of success. Thus Lloyd George appears as the victim of circumstances beyond his control – a paragon of pragmatic rationality who is opposed by reactionary Cabinet Ministers and bedevilled by stubborn trade-union leaders who refuse to understand why the promised paradise is not forthcoming.

The Role of the Trade Union Leader in India

1974 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ramaswamy
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
South India ◽  
Union Leader ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Textile Workers ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Political Interests ◽  
Union Leaders

Key offices in most trade unions in India are held by "outsiders" who do not belong to the trade or industry from which the members are drawn. The outsiders have marked political loyalties, with the result that almost every trade union in the country owes explicit allegiance to a political party. The partisan leanings of the outsiders have often been taken to mean that their primary role as union leaders is to seize on every available opportunity for making political gain. This paper, based on an intensive study of a textile workers' union in South India, contends that the outsiders, notwithstanding their partisan leanings, may be vitally involved in furthering their members' job-related interests. The purely trade union activities of the outsiders are divided into three broad categories. The nature of the grievance, the power wielded by the outsiders in its settlement, the pressures they can bring on the management, and the role they play differ significantly among these three categories. But in none of these is any attempt made by the outsiders to bring in their political interests. Imparting an ideological color to industrial disputes is neither necessary nor useful. While the outsiders do use their union base to further their political interests, they keep trade unionism and politics as discrete spheres of activity.

scholarly journals Alberta’s 2002 Teacher Strike: The Political Economy of Labor Relations in Education

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Bob Barnetson
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Labor Relations ◽  
The State ◽  
The Political ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Canadian Province ◽  
The Public ◽  
Worker Resistance

In 2002, approximately two thirds of school teachers in the Canadian province of Alberta went on strike. Drawing on media, government and union documents, this case study reveals some contours of the political economy of labor relations in education that are normally hidden from view. Among these features are that the state can react to worker resistance by legally pressuring trade unions and justifying this action as in the public interest. This justification seeks to divide the working class and pit segments of it against each other. The state may also seek to limit discussion and settlements to monetary matters to avoid constraining its ability to manage the workplace or the educational system. This analysis provides a basis for developing a broader theory of the political economy of labor relations in education. It also provides trade unionists in education with information useful in formulating a strike strategy.

scholarly journals Young women in Morocco: Perceptions about participation in the public sphere and gender equality

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Eva Zafra Aparici ◽  
Cristina Garcia-Moreno ◽  
Egbe Manfred Egbe
Keyword(s):  
Public Sphere ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Arab Spring ◽  
Civic Society ◽  
The Public ◽  
Moroccan Women ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Arab Spring

From a qualitative research in the cities of Fez and Meknes, this article analyses young women’s participation in the public sphere in Morocco. Specifically, we have had as reference the changes that have occurred since the so-called Arab Spring of 2011 where youths and feminism played an obvious role. Findings show that nine years after the Arab Spring, there has been no substantial improvements in the lives of Moroccan women in terms of gender equality. However, it is striking that they are very much present in participating in the public sphere from ‘grassroots’ (civic society, trade unions, etc.) levels where they find resources and spaces to get-together, create opportunities and make further progress in the fight for their rights.

Unorthodox public leadership: the case study of an atypical approach to crisis in Iceland

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arelia E. Gudmundsdottir ◽  
Svala Gudmundsdottir
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Political Behaviour ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Leadership ◽  
Public Managers ◽  
System Leaders

PurposeThis paper aims to present the case of Jón Gnarr's leadership as he served as a mayor of Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The authors’ view is that his leadership style illustrates a case study of how a “new” leadership style can emerge in times of crisis. Iceland was significantly affected by the financial crisis in 2008, which led to political and economic crises, which were fuelled by the public's anger and lack of trust. In 2010, Jón Gnarr and his new party, the Best Party, were unexpectedly elected. Before he became known as an unorthodox leader, he worked as a comedian. However, he influenced the discourse in politics in the country and raised trust in the system again while empowering the public managers and simplifying the system while downsizing it. This paper explores and sheds light on the leadership abilities that crises can birth.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses qualitative methods. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted, and the interviewees included Jón Gnarr, three key political leaders who were in office at that time and three executive-level leaders from the city administration.FindingsEvidence suggests that Jón Gnarr and his political party became a part of the political arena due to extreme social and economic factors, which might indicate the factors that can give rise to an unorthodox leader. At the same time, the research portrays the image of a leader that closely matches the theories of authentic leadership, and his leadership style at the time made a lasting impact. When Gnarr stepped into the role of mayor of Reykjavík, he used novel tactics. His political discourse was different; his manner with the public as well as within the system was different. When he became mayor, he demonstrated trust, respect and care as his underlying values. His unorthodox political behaviour appears to have empowered public officials. Thus, gradually, he inspired his followers to change their own communication style. He also addressed traditional political issues such as downsizing, mergers and financial undertakings.Research limitations/implicationsIts limitation is that it is difficult to generalize based on one case.Practical implicationsThe case can shed a light on how unorthodox leadership style can unlock the potential of empowering and trust in a traditional political system. Leaders who dare to be different can raise awareness of those who work within the system as well as the public.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the understanding of authentic and unconventional leadership as an efficient vehicle in unusual circumstances in a public leadership position.

The Construction of Paradox and the Teacher Union's Role in Complex Change

1997 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 480-505
Author(s):  
Wendy L. Poole
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Unions ◽  
Teacher Union ◽  
Apparent Paradox ◽  
Complex Change ◽  
Union Leadership ◽  
Union Leaders ◽  
The Relationship

This article presents a case study that focuses on the construction of the teacher union paradox as a factor contributing to productive collaboration between union and management. Teacher union leaders face an apparent paradox between the dual interests of teacher unions—teachers’ self-interests and teachers’ educational interests. Teacher union members and leaders act upon their particular constructions of the relationship between these dual interests. The cast study demonstrates how union members and leaders constructed the dualities differently and how these constructions influenced their behavior. Examining teacher union leadership through the perspective of paradox construction may result in new ways of understanding union behavior and union-management relationships.

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