Organizers' Roles Transformed? Australian Union Organizers and Changing Union Strategy

Abstract

A survey of organizers in 13 Australian unions indicates that, while progress appears to have been made towards more 'organizing' approaches to their work, much remains to be done. Few resources are devoted to 'growth' and organizers still spend a relatively large amount of their time on grievance resolution and a relatively small amount of their time on developing delegate infrastructure. They encounter a variety of obstacles. However, there are some advantages in recruiting former community or student activists. A key role is shown for union leadership in assisting organizers to undertake their demanding work in a changing context.