Trade union power is a central theme of this book: Australian unions have had it and lost it; the current union‐hostile industrial relations environment threatens to further erode union power; union members want and need their unions to get power back. Crosby's book is conscious of, and responsive to, recent events: in 2004 the Howard government's senate victory allowed the unobstructed passage of further deregulatory, anti‐union legislation. WorkChoices is viewed by Crosby as a form of “re‐regulation … in the employers’ interest” making for “the most hostile environment in the western world” (p. ix). The survival of unions has been at stake for some time due to declining levels of density; after workchoices, union vulnerability is exacerbated and their power diminished. The pressing question underlying Power at Work is this: how can the unions regain their power and rebuild the Australian union movement? The answer unfolds through Crosby's impassioned voice, calling for an ambitious and comprehensive programme of change for unions. Crosby's programme is based on the “organising model” of unionism, which aims to increase the organisational capacity of unions and their social and political leverage by encouraging the engagement and participation of members in union processes and activity. This is a timely book which will be of interest to trade unions for reflection, debate and inspiration to initiate change; to academics for ideas and directions for new research areas; to union members and anyone interested in trade unions and social change.
Power at Work is structured in five sections. The first part – Making sense of our situation – describes and analyses declining union density from various perspectives. It includes a summary of the negative effects of low density; the key factors contributing to decline, and historical issues that have shaped the evolution of uniquely Australian unions. In this section, Crosby reminds the unions that across their histories, they have achieved regeneration using similar grassroots organising techniques as advocated by the organising approach, and have overcome the “overwhelming … concentration of force against [them]” (p. 36).
Part two – Reform experiences – introduces and analyses several examples of union reform. Anecdotal material is presented from Australia, New Zealand, and the US and includes the positive organising experiences of the LHMU (South Australia), MUA, TWU (NSW); Finsec (NZ), and the SEIU (US). These cases form the basis for an exploration of unionism as a unique form of organisation, and for the identification of successful union strategies for membership growth. Crosby distinguishes between the motives and values of unions and those of commercial organisations, arguing that unions are “extraordinary social organisations” that “inspire quite irrational levels of dedication and commitment from many of their members and from the people who work for them” (p. 75). In this section, Crosby articulates one of the central premises of this text: as unions’ principal role is that of “securing specific and general benefits for workers” (p. 81), they have a fundamental obligation to obtain the necessary power to enable them to discharge their function. While there is no new contribution made in these early parts of the book, it is well‐informed, based as it is on the works of David Peetz, Rae Cooper, and Ray Markey, and provides a crucial rationale for subsequent sections.
The next two sections borrow from David Weil's model of strategic choice, which identifies two key dimensions of organisational power: “organisational capacity” and “strategic leverage” (p. 99). Part three – Rebuilding organisational capacity – sets out the steps for developing the internal organisational processes leading to the construction of a union with an organising culture. This is the longest section of Power at Work, and in my view, the most valuable since it provides details of successful organising techniques which can guide unions seeking change. It looks at the benefits of Member Service Centres (union call centres) which shield organisers from the unremitting flow of member grievances, and “streamline” member interaction with unions, saving valuable organising time. This section also advances the “splitting” of the organiser workforce: it highlights the distinct tasks of organising existing and new members including the controversial technique of “house‐calling”; it discusses the changing role of the industrial officer, the key importance of union education, the future role of National offices, and issues relating to increasing union revenue in order to finance change and renewal. Controversially, it exhorts unions to reconsider further amalgamations and other forms of union alliances in order to gain the necessary industry power to match that of “aggressive” employers (p. 197). Crosby is aware that this proposal may grate: “as they read this, trade union officials around the country will groan” (p. 200).
Part four – Building strategic leverage – is certain to be equally challenging. This section looks at developing a strategy towards employers. It includes persuading employers to favour unions through recognition agreements; reviving collaborative pacts with employers including the closed shop; establishing union‐community relationships to pressure employers, and supporting and building influence with the ALP.
Part five, the final section of the book – Driving comprehensive change – examines the crucial role of leadership in unions. It identifies some of the problems related to poor leaders and identifies the coordinates of effective leadership. The last chapter conducts an examination of the low – and need for greater‐participation of women in union leadership roles. This chapter is not informed by any of the excellent material published on this matter and unfortunately comes across as superficial.
I found sections four and five of the book problematic. Crosby's agenda (outlined in part three) to shift unions to an organising culture is detailed and complex. As his agenda deepens and widens to encompass union education and activism in local communities and the international environment, employer re‐education and pacts, further union amalgamations, the re‐introduction of “closed shops”, and guaranteeing election success for the ALP, it becomes overwhelming. While Crosby acknowledges the “size of the ask” he makes (and it may indeed be the size of the task ahead for labour), the magnitude of this activity appears to dilute the importance of developing an organising culture in unions. I also felt disturbed by instances of an unexamined ideological stance. This is most conspicuous in Crosby's discussion on “managing the employer relationship”. In proposing cooperation agreements, Crosby does not acknowledge the problems in concepts such as unbounded economic growth, nor the complexities inherent in current employer strategies involving de‐industrialisation and the increasing exploitation and use of the informal sector. Moreover, in view of its cursory nature, the chapter on women in leadership is poorly located, being tacked‐on at the end. While this is quite possibly an editorial weakness, it underscores that the cursory treatment of women in unions is an ongoing problem.
Power at Work has some undeniable strengths. Firstly, Crosby's account of union capacity building is fascinating reading, based on evidence collected by the author within his work with unions such as the Queensland Public Sector Union, the CPSU (Sydney), LHMU, SDA, PMU, and CFMEU. Michael Crosby's history as union Secretary, union activist and strategist, Director of Trade Union Training Australia and the ACTU Organising Centre (1995‐2005) gives him authority and credibility. Secondly, the tone of this text is captivating: Crosby's voice is impassioned and optimistic, carrying a strong narrative, and conveys his absolute and unstinting admiration for unions and their members, as well as his personal skills as a leader, trainer, and activist. Finally, while some of Crosby's ideas are not beyond critique, his is an inspired vision with the power to challenge our views and raise debate.
