Is Another Unionism Possible? S olidarity U nionism in the I ndustrial W orkers of the W orld in the U . S . and C anada

Abstract

The article attempts to answer the question “Is another unionism possible?” by an examination of the theory and practice ofSolidarityUnionism developing in theIndustrialWorkers of theWorld (IWW) in theU.S. andCanada. In the study,SolidarityUnionism is considered as a variety of unionism with distinct and definable characteristics that set it apart from mainstream trade union models. Taking the model ofSolidarityUnionism in theIWWas a case study, the work outlines the historical‐theoretical development of the model through the work of, among others,StaughtonLynd. The distinct and definable characteristics are elaborated and discussed and put into historical context. The research findings, gathered through interviews withIWW SolidarityUnion organizers from theU.S. andCanada and a documentary/textual analysis of contemporaryIWWliterature, both official and unofficial, are organized under topic headings. These topics cover whatSolidarityUnionismlookslike andfeelslike; how it sustains participation and democratic involvement and the possibility of mainstreaming the model. The article concludes with a consideration of the prospects forSolidarityUnionism and the possibility of theSolidarityUnion model, or elements of it, being adopted by the broader trade union movement inNorthAmerica and beyond.

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