Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Beyond Work Intensification: the contradictions and ironies of the changing nature of ‘unskilled’ work in a context of austerity and organisational change

McBride, J.; Martinez Lucio, M.

Beyond Work Intensification: the contradictions and ironies of the changing nature of ‘unskilled’ work in a context of austerity and organisational change Thumbnail


Authors

M. Martinez Lucio



Abstract

This paper argues, through a study of cleaning workers, a need to reconsider the changing nature of unskilled work. In particular, how it has, ironically, become more complex and challenging in some cases due to economic and political developments. For example, in relation to questions of dirty work, stigma and issues of dignity, aspects of this literature recognises the difficulty of the work and its ‘distribution’. However, we argue a need to draw further attention to the ‘mechanics’, processes and complexities of this work and the way it is subject to significant contextual changes (e.g. the role of austerity) that create new complexities and challenges just as that work is being undermined and intensified. We use the voices of cleaning workers to reflect, in a rich detailed manner, the changes to their working environment and focus on the broader social perceptions of the work – from the public, employers and the workers themselves. Our analysis demonstrates a clear recognition of the complexity of that work through four dimensions - the changing spatial isolation of work; the growing context of violence due to the changing operational features of the job; the ongoing impact of state led austerity policies and limited resources, and the ongoing role of social stigma. We end the paper discussing how workers’ control emerges as an important issue in a curious manner within this changing context.

Citation

McBride, J., & Martinez Lucio, M. (2019). Beyond Work Intensification: the contradictions and ironies of the changing nature of ‘unskilled’ work in a context of austerity and organisational change. Capital & Class, 45(1), 145-164. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309816820924413

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 1, 2019
Online Publication Date Jun 5, 2020
Publication Date 2019
Deposit Date Nov 3, 2019
Publicly Available Date Nov 4, 2019
Journal Capital and Class
Print ISSN 0309-8168
Electronic ISSN 2041-0980
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 45
Issue 1
Pages 145-164
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0309816820924413
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1279056

Files

Accepted Journal Article (181 Kb)
PDF

Copyright Statement
McBride, J. and Martinez Lucio, M., Beyond Work Intensification: the contradictions and ironies of the changing nature of ‘unskilled’ work in a context of austerity and organisational change., Capital & Class (Vol. 45, issue 1) pp. 145-164. Copyright © 2020 (Copyright Holder). DOI: 10.1177/0309816820924413





You might also like



Downloadable Citations