Turner 2005

Turner, Lowell. 2005. "From Transformation to Revitalization". Work and Occupations. 32 (4): 383-399.

• two central arguments to revitalization literature
• contemporary circumstances provide openings for, and in some cases drive, innovative, proactive, promising union strategies to renew their influence
• these strategies matter
• union strategies can be both dependent and independent variable
• dependent on contemporary conditions
• independently able to create union revitalization (or not)
• revitalization theorists would argue that, in the long run, bargained or litigated reforms will wither without collective representation to keep everyone honest
• defining revitalization
• purpose of revitalization is to restructure for efficient or changing priorities (Behrens, Hamann, Hurd 2004)
• rank and file mobilization
• expansion or suppression of democratic participation
• improvements to servicing and organizing efforts
• innovative internal strategies are in most cases necessary to successful outward innovation (Fletcher and Hurd 2001)
• need bargaining power, political power, membership density, and an institutional vitality that measures union openness to substantive internal reform (Behrens, Hamann, Hurd 2004)
• “Labor movement revitalization, in other words, offers the promise not just of incremental reform, but of broader social justice as well” (387)
• revitalization literature brings unions, other social actors, in addition to employers and government, into center of analysis
• downside: most unions only pay lip service to innovative activism...
• unions need to frame campaigns as social movements, comprehensive efforts revitalize labor and broaden the expansion of democratic rights