Trade Unions, Mobilization and Affect – Re-thinking Labor Struggle from an Affect Theoretical Perspective

Drawing on the example of most recent labor disputes in the German hospital sector, this paper aims at conceptualizing processes of political mobilization from an affect theoretical perspective. Against the background of an emotional turn in the Social Movement Studies, the focus on emotions (e.g. Flam 2005, Flam/King 2005, Goodwin et al. 2001; 2007) and affect (Gould 2004; 2009) become essential for understanding political in/action. In this paper it will be asked if these insights can also make a contribution to the field of trade unions organizing and mobilizing against precarious working conditions. While in the Studies of Labor Revitalization the erosion of trade unions power in countries of the global North is discussed in the context of social transformation processes and the need for a renewed perspective is emphasized, the role of emotions and affect for understanding collective action and political mobilization, has so far been little considered in this debate. Referring to the emotional turn in the Social Movement Studies and by bringing this debate into dialogue with the Labor Revitalization Studies and further (queer)feminist theories of affect, it will be discussed if affect and emotion can be conceptualized as a resource in collective mobilization against precarious working conditions. The discussion of theoretical concepts will be enriched and exemplified by referring to most recent labor disputes of nursing staff in German hospitals.