Fatally Divided: : An analysis of the role micro-political divisions played in the unions’ loss of the 1986-87 News International dispute.

Edward Blissett, 'Fatally Divided: An analysis of the role micro-political divisions played in the unions’ loss of the 1986-87 News International dispute', paper presented at the British Universities Industrial Relations Conference, Leeds, UK, 29 June - 1 July, 2016.On 5 February 1987 the SOGAT National Executive Committee (NEC) voted 23 to 9 to end its dispute with News International Limited. One day later the NGA National Council, followed suit and ended their industrial action. These decisions brought to a close one of the most bitter and acrimonious industrial disputes of the twentieth century, which had lasted over a year and seen the dismissal of over 5,500 union members. There has been a wide variety of explanations as to why the unions’ action was unsuccessful. Many authors have asserted that the dispute was unwinnable, whatever tactics the unions had deployed (Melvern, 1986; Gennard, 1990; Gennard and Bain, 1995; Dean, 2007). This, they argued, was owing to the combination of technological advancements and the hostile political and institutional environment in which the unions were operating (Melvern, 1986; Gennard, 1990; Gennard and Bain, 1995; Dean, 2007). Other scholars (Richardson, 2003; Cockburn, 1991; Bain, 1998; Cohen, 1990) have taken a different view, focusing on tactical errors and divisions within and between the printing unions, which adversely affected their chances of success. However, these authors disagree over the reasons for inter and intra-union disunity and policy blunders. Richardson (2003) and Bain (1998) assert that long running political, occupational and geographical conflicts created serious rifts within SOGAT and between the print unions. Cockburn differs (1991), asserting instead that gender segregation and misogyny caused disunity within the print unions, which undermined the dispute. Cohen (1990) disagrees, insisting that the defeat can be broadly attributed to the leaderships of SOGAT and the NGA failing to continue with secondary industrial action, following the sequestration, or threat of sequestration, of their assets. Within all of these analyses the role played by micro–political factors, such as personal friendships, enmities and loyalties are occasionally noted (Bain, 1998; Richardson, 2003), but are not credited with significantly contributing to the loss of the dispute. This paper challenges these explanations for the unions’ lack of success and puts forward an alternative hypothesis. It asserts that micro-political factors were the central reason why the unions were unsuccessful in the 1986/87 News International dispute. Specifically, that the long term dysfunctional relationship that existed between the News International senior lay activists and the SOGAT General Secretary, Brenda Dean, played a major part in the unions’ defeat. Additionally it contends that personal enmity that existed between Brenda Dean and NGA General Secretary, Tony Dubbins, contributed significantly to the unions’ loss of the dispute. Finally the paper asserts that Dean’s deep personal loathing of Robert Maxwell, and her considerable regard for Rupert Murdoch, significantly affected how she dealt with News International before and during the dispute.Peer reviewedDownloa

Algae Sympoiesis in Performance: Rendering-with Nonhuman Ecologies

This article explores an approach to human-nonhuman artistic creation with algae organisms and is structured in four parts. The first part considers ‘rendering’ as a tool for developing an approach to performance making and analysis that departs from the binary opposition of western thinking regarding algae organisms. I draw on Derrida’s (1981) concept of the ‘pharmakon’ to consider the implications for how discourse marks different algae species according to their use-value for humans as either ‘poison’ or ‘remedy’. The second part considers how encounters with cyanobacteria algae, in the form of lichen, demonstrate a mode of relation whereby algae become a form of ‘render’ for bodies and environments. In this section, I draw on an artistic case study by The Harrissons (1971) to illustrate principles of what I regard are examples of ‘algae rendering’. The third part is an analysis of how performance experiments develop the concept of ‘rendering-with algae’ and aim to diffuse binary oppositions through embodied inquiry. The fourth part considers how these encounters, experiments and analysis generate new thinking about human-algae relations through Haraway’s (2016) term ‘sympoiesis’ and the potential of ‘algae rendering’ to transform ecologies of climate change on a wider scale.This article explores an ecodramaturgical approach to performance-making and research with algae. The first part considers the notion of ‘algae rendering’ as a methodological tool for theorising algae ecological relations which highlights links between representations of algae and their material effects. The second part considers how my embodied encounters with cyanobacteria algae, in the form of lichen, inspire new modes of working with algae in creative practice that explore how algae agencies ‘render’ bodies and environments. I also draw on an artistic case study by The Harrissons (1971) to illustrate principles of what I consider examples of ‘algae rendering’ in artistic practice. The third part considers my approach to making-with algae in a series performance experiments that develop the concept of ‘rendering-with algae’ in practice. This work attempts to depart from anthropocentric binaries that mark different algae species according to their use-value for humans as either ‘healthy’ or ‘harmful’ and investigates embodied ways of working with algae as co-creators, inspired by material ecological relations. The fourth part considers how these performance encounters, experiments and analysis together compose an ecodramaturgical framework that generates new thinking about algae-human relationships in performance and in wider ecologies. Drawing on Donna Haraway’s (2016) concept of ‘sympoiesis’, I develop the term ‘algae sympoiesis’ to describe my embodied ecodramaturgical approach to rendering-with algae in this research. The concept of algae sympoiesis explores how humans and algae shape matter and meaning together in performance and seeks to invite new ways of thinking about how broader algae-human material ecologies are performative of environmental change

British trade unionism in the 1980s reassessed. Are recurring assumptions about union membership and strikes flawed?

© 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1080/0023656X.2023.2229252This article questions the hypothesis, put forward by several historians and IR academics, that the 1980s decline in British union membership and strike frequency, was driven by major industrial defeats, a cultural shift away from collectivism, and the adverse effects of the Conservative Government’s anti-union legislation. In contrast, this paper argues that international economic developments, most notably the globalisation of manufacturing production, along with the British Conservative Government’s economic policies, which resulted in mass unemployment in heavily unionised areas of the economy, were the principal reasons for the declines in union membership and strike frequency during the 1980s. In support of this theory, my article draws upon extensive contemporaneous research, which I conducted when I worked in the Industrial Relations Research Unit at the University of Warwick in the late 1980s. This research illustrates how strike frequency and union membership fell in the early and mid-1980s, before membership stabilized, and the frequency of strikes relative to the number of unionised workplaces increased, during the short-lived economic upturn of the late 1980s.Peer reviewe

Indicators of sustainability in Mediterranean olive value chains: Building knowledge for the transition to sustainable food systems Thesis conducted within the frame of the SNF-funded project “Deliberative diets: Connecting producers and consumers to value the sustainability of Swiss food system scenarios”

Abstract The olive value chain is a cornerstone of the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental landscape of the Mediterranean region. The industry is a major source of employment and income in rural communities. In recent years, the sector has undergone significant shifts towards mechanized highly intensive cropping and irrigated systems. While there is an increase in profitability, the adverse effects on the environment and the socio-economic aspects of life have been noticeable, bringing into sharp focus issues of sustainability. Numerous studies have been conducted over the last decade to assess the sustainability of varying aspects of the value chain. The challenge is that there is no established mark, critical control point, or limit beyond which olive systems are deemed to be ‘unsustainable’ or a set of indicators that fully characterize the state of sustainability. This is largely due to the context-specific nature of sustainability and ongoing debates as to its meaning. This is further hampered by high heterogeneity in the sector. To identify a set of criteria and indicators that adequately addressed sustainability, satisfying both scientific rigor and value chain actors, a two-pronged bottom-up and top-down approach was used. A systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted in the region to identify indicators used in sustainability assessments along the value chain. Second, these indicators were compared to key sustainability criteria identified by farmers in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, based on separate research results from the Deliberative Diets project, using the Photovoice method. The literature review isolated 74 papers with 46% focusing solely on the environmental dimension of sustainability. The social and economic dimensions were largely neglected with 1% and 9%, respectively. Around 91% of studies were focused on the agricultural phase of the value chain. In contrast, the Photovoice action research revealed a predominant focus on social issues at the farm level with 41% of the criteria falling in the social dimension whereas only 20% and 9% addressed environmental and economic issues. A reconciliation of the criteria and indicator data sets provided a holistic view of sustainability issues and transformative pathways in the region. Keywords: sustainability assessment, indicators, sustainability criteria, Mediterranean, oliv

A wholistic motor design philosophy for electric motorcycles in motorsport

Electric vehicles combine several systems together which strive to make a performant vehicle. Improving vehicle performance is aided by modelling each subsystem not separately, but together as a whole. This work develops software for modelling the entire electro-mechanical system, able to inform the design of individual components. An electric motorcycle is chosen as a the platform for the development of such a model. Verification of the model is demonstrated by calibration to recorded data and application to a race event, demonstrating the accuracy of the modelling technique. The model guided the subsequent design of an electric motor tailored to the system, through a better understanding of the entire vehicle interaction. Applying this method to a racing motorcycle demonstrates the utility of broad system modelling in detailed component design, by guiding the determination of optimal speed and torque rating for the motor. This process demonstrated that the trend of designing increasingly high speed motors to reduce their size is not always the best approach when considering the system as a whole. The work concludes with a demonstration of the motor performance in the application, including winning a race against a mixed grid of petrol and electric motorcycles

Effects of sucrose detection threshold and weight status on intake of fruit and vegetables in children

Past research on the relationship between taste sensitivity and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in children has focused on sensitivity to bitter taste. The effects of sensitivity to sweet taste on intake of FV have never been investigated. Furthermore, the effects of children's weight on intake of FV are inconclusive. This study measured the effects of Sucrose Detection Threshold (SDT) and weight status on intake of FV in children. The participants of this study were 99 children between 5–9 years old. Parents reported their own and their children's 24 hour intake of FV and completed a measure of children's sensory sensitivity. Children completed the triangle test with suprathreshold concentrations of sucrose ranging between 0.2% and 1.6%, in 0.2% increments. Two MANCOVAs showed that, controlling for parental intake and children's sensory sensitivity, there was a main effect of SDT on intake of fruit (p < 0.05), which was exclusive to non-astringent fruit (p < 0.05), and cruciferous vegetables (p < 0.01). Weight status had no effect on intake of FV. Mechanisms behind the effects of SDT are discussed in the context of past research on bitter taste sensitivity

Past exposure to fruit and vegetable variety moderates the link between fungiform papillae density and current variety of FV consumed by children

Higher fungiform papillae density (FPD) has been associated with lower taste sensitivity thresholds and greater perceived taste intensity along with consumption of fewer fruit and vegetables (FV). Children exposed to greater variety of FV tend to habitually consume more FV, however, it is unknown whether exposure effects are attenuated by individual differences in FPD or whether these effects vary according to sensory properties of FV. This study examined the links between children's FPD, current variety of FV consumed, and past experiences with variety of fruit and vegetables. FPD counts were obtained from 61 children between 5 and 9 years old, in schools from affluent areas of Birmingham (UK). Parents completed food frequency questionnaires indicating the variety of FV consumed by children in the last 7 days. Parents also indicated the number of different FV types the children had tasted in their lifetime. FV were subdivided to reflect differences in their sensory properties. The results showed that children with higher FPD who in their lifetime had tasted a greater variety of FV ate a larger variety of FV compared to children with higher FPD, but with lower past exposure. When examining effects within specific subcategories of fruits and vegetables, this pattern held for non-astringent fruit and showed a trend for non-bitter vegetables. Children with lower FPD consumed similar variety of FV irrespective of past experiences with variety of FV. The results suggest that when strong or irritant sensory food properties are not a barrier to intake, higher FPD in the presence of supportive home food environment may be beneficial for FV intake. Individual phenotypic differences may affect responsiveness to environmental factors in children's intake of FV

Multiple measures of impulsivity, eating behaviours and adiposity in 7-11-year-olds

Previous research suggests that the relationship between the multiple aspects of children’s impulsivity, eating behaviour and adiposity may depend on measures used. Fifty 7-11-year-olds (28 female, 22 male) completed four impulsivity tasks (Go/No-Go, Door Opening, Circle Drawing, Delay Discounting), consumed a snack, reported on their eating, and were weighed and measured. Parents completed measures of child impulsivity and eating behaviour. Impulsivity and adiposity were positively correlated. Lower rates of delay discounting were associated with lower snack intake. Ability to inhibit a pre-potent response was related to dietary restraint and snack intake. Findings suggest a complex, multifaceted relationship between impulsivity, eating and adiposity, which are measure and respondent dependent

An exploration of the relationship between leadership styles and school culture in a small rural southeast Missouri school district

Dr. Paul Watkins, Dissertation Supervisor.includes vitaPrincipals who understand and nurture positive school culture often experience academic and career success. This dissertation focuses on leadership styles and their relationship to school culture in a small rural school district in Southeast Missouri. The study answers the following questions: 1. What are the critical functions of effective leaders as perceived by both teachers and leaders? 2. As perceived by leaders and teachers, what impact does the leader have on the culture of the school? This study focused on a small rural school district in Southeast Missouri. The district has a K-12 enrollment of 330 students. There are 18 teachers and one building principal in the elementary school. The junior high and high school share 19 teachers. Data for this qualitative case study was collected using semi-structured interviews. Four teachers from each building were interviewed. The building principals from both buildings were also interviewed. The results of this study show that there is a significant relationship between the leadership style of the principals and the culture of each building. The findings indicate that the elementary principal is primarily an authentic leader. According to the data, her authenticity has led to a positive school culture. The staff also stated that the personal relationships sometimes interfere with student discipline. The junior high/high school principal is primarily a transactional leader. His focus was managing the school as a business. His staff attributed his business mentality to positive changes within the school and culture and success in achieving goals. While they appreciated his attention to professionalism, they would like to get to know their administrator on a personal level.Dr. Paul Watkins, Dissertation Supervisor.|Includes vita.Includes bibliographical references (pages 71-77)

Parental monitoring may protect impulsive children from overeating:Monitoring intake in impulsive children

Background: Research has highlighted links between impulsivity and weight inchildren and adults. Nevertheless, little is known about the nature of this link in veryyoung children or about the underlying mechanism by which impulsivity leads togreater adiposity.Objective: The present study aimed to explore relationships between impulsivity,weight and eating behaviour in a sample of 95 2 to 4-year-olds. Method: Parent–child dyads visited the laboratory and consumed a meal afterwhich parents completed measures of child impulsivity, eating behaviour andparental feeding, whilst children completed impulsivity tasks measuring theimpulsivity facet delay of gratification (Snack Delay task), motor impulsivity (LineWalking task) and inhibitory control (Tower task). Results: Pearson’s correlations showed that girls with greater motor impulsivitywere heavier. Additionally, monitoring moderated the relationship betweenimpulsivity and food approach behaviour, indicating that monitoring may protectmore impulsive children from displaying problematic eating behaviours. Conclusions: The motor impulsivity facet appears particularly relevant to childweight; parents can modulate the impact of impulsivity on child eating behaviourthrough their feeding style