Workers Can Win: A Guide to Organising at Work

by Ian Allinson, Colin Revolting (Illustrator)

The Covid, climate and cost of living crises all hang heavy in the air. It's more obvious than ever that we need radical social and political change. But in the vacuum left by defeated labour movements, where should we begin? For longtime workplace activist Ian Allinson, the answer is organising at work is essential to rebuild working-class power.

The premise is organising builds confidence, capacity and collective power - and with power we can win change. Workers Can Win  is an essential, practical guide for rank-and-file workers and union activists. Drawing on more than 20 years of organising experience, Allinson combines practical techniques with an analysis of the theory and politics of organising and unions.

The book offers insight into tried and tested methods for effective organising. It deals with tactics and strategies, and addresses some of the roots of conflict, common problems with unions and the resistance of management to worker organising. As a 101 guide to workplace organising with politically radical horizons, Workers Can Win  is destined to become an essential tool for workplace struggles in the years to come.

Genres: Labor, Politics, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 2022

Reviews

[Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fundamental guide for anyone who wants to organise at work in the UK. Really easy to read and not dogmatic at all. It teaches you all the basics of organising + the law you need to know. Pretty sick

[Arlian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best union organizing book I have found. I can't believe this isn't more well known.

I love this book because it skips all the proselytizing. Most of these books have all this lengthy nonsense about the billionaire class. Yeah, we probably get it. We're reading a book about how to form a union, after all. Why waste my time preaching to the choir???

I love that this books skips all that. The author is also clear that US-style business unions don't work, so it's not like he's pro business. He just doesn't waste your time.

I am not in the UK, so the entire chapter about law wasn't helpful to me. However, I am not in America and the country I am in doesn't have any books on this topic. This book seems to represent the global situation better than most of the US books I looked at.

Mad props to this author.

[Pickled · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't do ratings etc but will make an exception here. What makes this such a good guide is that Ian acknowledges that different workplace struggles are just that - different - and so he advocates an open-mindedness while insisting that a rank and file approach is most effective. Even if you're not a workplace militant or organiser, this book is worth a read, as an individual or a group, if only for some life lessons in how to be a decent and cooperative human being.

[Andrew Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent accessible discussion of union organising from the perspective of workplace reps and activists. Invaluable advice about how to work with and beyond union structures and how to outsmart your employer. Draws from a variety of campaigns in a style that avoids dogmatism and jargon. A great primer for those involved in the current struggles over profiteering, inflation and injustice.

[Steven R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for Trade Unionists in Britain. Full of practical advice and resources. Very good "how to" guide.

[Lucy Beasinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

hopeful