Trade union perceptions of the labour - nature relationship

This paper is based on research with environmentally engaged trade unionists in India. It follows their trajectories into the union and explores environmental engagements. A short presentation of history Indian unionism, aims to understand its ‘multi-unionism’. Analysing three exemplary life-histories unionists, motivations engage unions relationships workers poor people, models perceiving labour-nature relationship are offered: container model, nature as a mediator survival, nature-labour alliance. I show that way which perceive shaped by practices influences policies. Furthermore, who seek alliances other social movements equal terms, develop more comprehensive perception thereby development wide-ranging conclude suggesting conditions enabling could become possible if along value chain collaborate learn from each about working natures they transform.