Contesting Inequality and Worker Mobilisation: Australia 1851-1880

Contesting Inequality and Worker Mobilisation: Australia 1851-1880 offers a fresh perspective on how and why workers organize, examining the factors that drive worker resistance and the types of organizations formed. It explores the relationship between formal and informal organization, the effects of mobilization on economic inequality, hours of work, and democracy, and is relevant to researchers, academics, and students in social mobilisation, social and economic history, industrial relations, labor regulation, labor history, and employment relations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 340 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Contesting Inequality and Worker Mobilisation: Australia 1851-1880 offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of worker organization and the factors that shape it. In their 2018 work, "Origins of Worker Mobilisation," the authors delve into the early stages of worker organization, attributing the emergence of resistance to factors such as workplace inequality, labor regulatory subordination, and the power dynamics at play. This new volume, published in 2020, examines worker mobilization in the period from 1851 to 1880, drawing data from a unique relational database that records every instance of organization. It goes beyond merely documenting the types of organizations formed and assesses the underlying issues and objectives that drove mobilizations. The book explores the interplay between formal and informal organizations, examining their respective influences on reshaping working conditions and the lives of working communities. It also connects the study of worker mobilization to historical and contemporary contexts, examining mobilizations across different categories of labor.

One of the key findings of the book is the significant impact of mobilization on economic inequality, hours of work, and the development of democracy. The authors argue that worker mobilizations played a crucial role in advocating for better working conditions, such as the eight-hour day and the introduction of the weekend. These victories not only improved the well-being of workers but also had broader societal implications, contributing to the growth of democratic institutions and social justice.

This book will appeal to researchers, academics, and students in a wide range of fields, including social mobilisation, social and economic history, industrial relations, labor regulation, labor history, and employment relations. Its comprehensive analysis and rich data provide valuable insights into the complex processes of worker organization and the ongoing struggle for social and economic equality. By examining the experiences of workers in Australia during a pivotal period, this book offers valuable lessons for contemporary labor movements and advocates seeking to build stronger and more inclusive societies.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367537258