This site accompanies Workers Can Win! A Guide to Organising at Work by Ian Allinson, with illustrations by Colin Revolting, published by Pluto Press (how to buy).
Drawing on more than 20 years of organising experience, the book combines practical techniques with an analysis of the theory and politics of organising and unions. It 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.
You can read more about the book or about this website, and read Chapter 1: Introduction. You can subscribe to updates related to the book by email or WhatsApp. Any changes to links included in the book are available via the Further Reading page.
There have been lots of events around the book throughout Britain. Check for any future events near you or get in touch to arrange one. I worked with others to run a 5-session online training course, based on the book, in May 2023 and we are updating the materials so that you could run it in your workplace or union branch. Make sure you subscribe to updates if you are interested. I’m also posting updates to the book here, in response to both changes in the terrain we organise on (e.g. legal changes) and to reader feedback. Please send in your comments, ideas and experiences applying the ideas in the book.
Latest posts
- The Employment Rights Act: what it means and where to go nextWe should use the positives in the new legislation, campaign for improvements, and focus on local action to build power.
- Detriment for taking industrial actionAn update following a Supreme Court ruling over detriment (disadvantage) short of dismissal for taking part in industrial action.
- GDPR – a barrier to organising?Ian Allinson and data protection lawyer Lois C explore how we can avoid GDPR being a barrier to effective organising.
- Resisting the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) ActIan Allinson discusses the potential impact of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act and how we can resist it.
- Review: Left Horizons“a really useful guide for new and budding trade union activists. It addresses the gap left by the official trade unions and their education departments.”
- What is the potential for rank-and-file organisation today?The strike wave means more workers actively engaging with their unions. Many are frustrated by their leaders calling insufficient action to win, recommending rotten deals, or undermining democratic decisions. This is sparking a renewed interest in rank-and-file organisation, but there is confusion about what this means and what is possible. Ian Allinson explores the issues.
