Union, non-union and asymmetric

forms of voiceMichael Walker

Doctoral student

University of Technology, Sydney

Introduction

Early stages of PhD looking at employee voice where there is fragmentation of the standard employment relationship

Alternate forms of voice Asymmetric relationship of parties Defining the concept

Some asymmetric combatants:

Battle of Agincourt Apaches vs Mexico and the United

States The use of atomic weapons against

Japan Al Qaeda

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exploit the stronger enemy’s immobility and inflexibility in terms of their tendency to rely on fixed positions, their organizational conservatism, and their desire to fight set-piece battles

US Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO), cited in Thornton, R (2007) Asymmetric Warfare: Threat and Response in the Twenty-First Century

Q: Can concepts from asymmetric armed conflict be used to describe industrial conflict?

1. Isolate your adversary by finding friends

2. Undermine constituency support for the hardline of the adversary's leadership

3. Reassure challenged group that there is no agenda to undermine them

(Kriesberg, 2007)

Case study:Take The Time campaignwww.takethetime.org.au

Petition and testimonial gathering:March - September

Petition presented to Parliament

Tactics 1 & 2:Undermining hardline element; Reassurance

Delegation to Treasurer Baird - September

Tactic 3: Win Allies

Forum at Wesley Mission – November

Gerard Dwyer – SDA NSW BranchAmanda Tattersall – Sydney Alliance (seated)

Mark Lennon - Unions NSW

Carol Williams – Coles Armidale Union Delegate

Rev Dr Keith Garner – Wesley Mission

Rev Dr Rick Dacey – Wesley Mission

Monique Perusco – Good Beginnings Australia

Dr Dan Woodman – University of Melbourne

Hon Rev Fred Nile MLC

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One must never drive one’s enemy to despair.It makes him strong.

~ Thomas a Becket in Jean Anouilh’s Becket