Check it out here.

Labor-Community Unity: Author Looks At Coalition Building Efforts- 09/02/10

See the article in the National Times on 1 September 2010 (Sydney Morning Herald Website).

The news that a group of independents that will decide the government highlights new political opportunities for the power of community-based coalitions of community organisations, religious organisations and unions.

Observers of social movements, such as Sidney Tarrow in Power in Movement, have argued since the 1990s that political opportunities – or ”cleavages in the political decision making of elites” – provide space for popular voices to shine. And, in doing so, these opportunities can inspire the development of expanded social action because these political spaces give social movement activists hope that change is possible.

Australia now has a political cleavage of this kind. A hung parliament will be very different from politics as usual where new policies are debated and endorsed in a closed process of cabinet and caucus. When one party has the power, they can ”talk of consultation” but there is often little pressure to genuinely consult other parties, let alone the community, on policies before they are announced.

If the independents are prepared to vet policies, and potentially challenge the policies of government then their role may provide an opportunity to open up policy debate to the wider community.

In Power in Coalition, I argue that political opportunities are a critical ingredient in the success of community-based coalitions. Coalition campaigns that are planned and run conscious of electoral timetables and legislative timetables, and that are timetabled to escalate at critical decision making times, tend to have greater success at achieving social change.

This means that we may see more, and more successful, community-based social action over the next term of government.

However, political opportunities are just a chance for influence, not a guarantee of social impact. These opportunities need to be harnessed by community-based movements, where clever, well-planned, well-built social action develops carefully, and strategically builds public and political support.

For instance, the book’s case study of the public education coalition and the Vinson Inquiry into Public Education was a good example of this. An 18-month inquiry that built slowly in the community through public hearings in schools around New South Wales, then releasing three major reports on its findings in the nine months before the 2003 state election. Then at six months out from the election, the public education alliance identified and discerned six key united demands to pursue during the election period. These demands were new policy ideas that had come from the community through the public hearings. This strategy of broad public awareness then targeted social action produced major policy reforms – including a $250 million policy for reducing the class sizes of young school children.

The hung parliament throws down the gauntlet to all those organisations and individuals who have a vision for a better Australia. It’s not just about speaking your mind, but it is time to get organised and build a powerful broad based community voice. No politician, however ”independent” can substitute for community-led solutions to challenges such as housing costs, gridlocked transport, work-family balance or community tension over cultural difference.

The ball is now in our court as to whether we can turn the opportunity of a hung parliament into social change.

Amanda Tattersall is the author of Power in Coalition and honorary associate in Work and Organisational Studies at the University of Sydney.

“UNIONS CANNOT WIN ON OUR OWN” SAYS AUSSIE ACTIVIST: “While coalitions are not an absolute solution to changing the dynamic of a hostile political environment – and an economy that only serves the interests of large corporations – they are paramount to strengthening the brawn and brains of unions,” said Australian labor activist and author Amanda Tattersall (r) at yesterday’s lunchtime discussion at the AFL-CIO. “Unions cannot win on our own – it is vital that we bring others to the movement around social change issues not isolated to collective bargaining.” Tattersall reflected on experiences based on campaigns in Australia, Canada and the United States and explored five key lessons to sustain an effective social movement, which are the focus of her new book, Power In Coalition: Strategies For Strong Unions And Social Change.

She is the founder and Director of the Sydney Alliance – a diverse coalition of unions, community organizations and religious organizations – and is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Unions New South Wales, the central labor council in Sydney representing 600,000 workers.

Sign up to Union City here.

Download the Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Natasha Lindor
Winger Marketing
natasha@wingermarketing.com
Phone: 312-494-0422

First Internationally Comparative Study of Coalitions Between Unions and Community Organizations Published

Amanda Tattersall’s book, “Power in Coalition: Strategies for Strong Unions and Social Change”, now available from Cornell University Press

NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2010 – Amanda Tattersall, an Australian organizer and labor scholar, provides a practical framework for what makes coalitions a key tool for union revitalization and social change in her new book, “Power in Coalition: Strategies for Strong Unions and Social Change”, published by Cornell University Press. As the first internationally comparative study of coalitions as a strategy for unions, community organizations and social change, this book contributes new, practical frameworks and insights that will help guide union and community organizers across the globe. It is now available for purchase online through Cornell University Press at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu and Amazon at www.amazon.com as well as several local U.S. book stores. Those in Australia and New Zealand can purchase the book through Allen & Unwin.

“This book arose out of my own experience in coalition building and community organizing,” says Tattersall. “We need strong and successful coalitions to empower the necessary community voice and response to issues such as climate change, health care, urban planning and transport. This book uncovers strategies for how coalitions can be an engine room for civic advocacy and social change, offering people real hope that working people can be powerful again.”

Three detailed case studies come from long term coalitions in three countries: public education in Sydney, living wages in Chicago and health care in Toronto. The lessons are grounded in real experience, creating practical strategies for challenging the political and economic climate.

Tattersall’s experience as both a community organizer and researcher translates into presenting strategies that will work well on the ground. Since writing the book, Tattersall has used its findings to organize, starting the Sydney Alliance, which now has 28 member organizations as partners. The Alliance is following the lessons documented in the book.

For more information, visit http://powerincoalition.com.

Availability
“Power in Coalition: Strategies for Strong Unions and Social Change,” which retails for $21.00 USD, is available at select U.S. retail locations as well as Allen & Unwin in Australia and New Zealand. It is also available for purchase online at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu and www.amazon.com.

###

About the Author

Amanda Tattersall is an Australian community organizer and a researcher with an international focus. She is currently the founder and director of the Sydney Alliance, a broad based coalition of unions, community organizations and religious organizations. In addition to having served as the president of the National Union of Students’ New South Wales (NSW) branch, Tattersall also founded Labor for Refugees and co-founded www.getup.org.au – an Australian web-based campaign organization with over 300,000 members. Having worked as a union organizer, Amanda is now an elected official: Deputy Assistant Secretary with Unions NSW, Sydney NSW’s central labor council representing 600,000 workers.

Tattersall completed a PhD on coalition unionism at the University of Sydney featuring case studies of coalitions from Sydney, Chicago and Toronto. She completed her research as a visiting fellow at Cornell University’s Industrial and Labor Relations School, living for two years in the United States and Canada.

Download the Press Release

In Australia, Power in Coalition launches in September 2010 published by Allen & Unwin. Launch details are:

Adelaide: Friday 17 September

Drinks from 6pm, and launch begins at 6:30 at Imprints Booksellers, 107 Hindley Street Adelaide. Sponsored by SA Unions. Speakers include Janet Giles, SA Unions & Associate Professor John Spoehr, Australian Institute for Social Research. RSVP: is essential due to limited space, email dkennedy@saunions.org.au

Perth: Monday 20 September

6pm to 7:30pm, 3rd Floor, State School Teacher’s Union of WA 150-152 Adelaide Terrace East Perth, sponsored by UnionsWA. RSVP: Shelley Watson at UnionsWA via unionsyes@unionswa.com.au or phone 08 9328 7877

Melbourne: Wednesday 22 September

Drinks from 6pm, launch at 6:30, New International Bookshop, Trades Hall, 54 Victoria St Carlton South RSVP:    ypancino@vthc.org.au or phone (03) 9659-3511

Sydney: Thursday 23 September

Drinks from 6pm, launch at 7pm. Trades Hall Auditorium, 377 Sussex St Sydney. Speakers include Jack Mundey, Mark Lennon Unions NSW, Niall Reid moderator Uniting Church. MCs Charles Firth & Bec De Unamuno. RSVP: cdelprat@unionsnsw.org.au or 9881 5999.

Brisbane: Monday 27 September

6pm start, 6:30 launch at Avid Reader, 193 Boundary St West End, sponsored by the Queensland Council of Unions. RSVP: events@avidreader.com.au or 38463422

Canberra: Wednesday 29 September

5:30pm for 6pm start, The Lounge Bar, Lvl 3 Uni Pub, 17 London Circuit Canberra. Politics in the pub event sponsored by The Australia Institute & UnionsACT

Amanda Tattersall is traveling to the US and Canada to launch Power in Coalition in August 2010. Launch details are:

Washington DC: Wed 25 August

Noon to 1:30, AFL-CIO Offices, Presidents Room First Floor, 815 16th St, NW Washington DC 2006

New York City: Fri 27 August

1pm, co-sponsored by Metro IAF & Civil Service Employees Association

Chicago: Wed 1 September

5:30pm – 7:30pm, sponsored by Grassroots Collaborative (celebrating their 10 year anniversary)

Grace Place, 637 South Dearborn Street, Chicago

Minnesota: Thursday 2 September

7 for 7:30pm, Common Good Bookstore, 165 Western Avenue North, Saint Paul, MN

Toronto: Tuesday 7 September

7 for 7:30, Paupers Pub, second floor lounge, corner of Bloor and Lippencott St (near Bathurst)

Vancouver: Thursday 9 September

7pm start, Room 7000, Harbour Centre Campus, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings

Seattle: Saturday 11 September

1pm. Elliott Bay Bookshop, 1521 Tenth Avenue, Seattle WA 98122

For more information email amandatattersall@gmail.com