Political congruence: a conceptual framework and historical case study

We introduce the concept of political congruence and apply it to the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU), during rearmament and war. Political congruence requires the alignment of union leaders, activists and members with a common political project. This is likely to bring strategic renewal, as was the case in the AEU. A platform of left reform developed as the influence of Communists on the shop floor and among activists developed. The union grew at an exceptional pace and opened membership and participation to women and young workers while adopting a more co-operative stance towards other unions in the industry.