Geary, JohnJohnGearyGamwell, SophieSophieGamwell2019-03-252019-03-252017 the A2019-04-01Work, Employment and Society0950-0170http://hdl.handle.net/10197/9666New models of union organizing have become an important instrument of union growth and renewal. We examine the transfer of US-developed organizing practices to Ireland. We enquire whether the practical experiences of SIPTU can be considered successful. In particular, we focus on the question: in what way is the architecture of union organizing shaped by the material conditions that affect workers' power? We look at three campaigns across three low-wage sectors (hotels, red meat processing and contract cleaning). The campaigns share a number of common properties, but differ in respect of the power resources available to employees and the shape of their outcomes. Using a most similar systems comparative research design, we identify a variety of causes which help explain the success and shape of the different organizing campaigns. Finally, we make a number of arguments in respect of how our findings link to debates about the future of trade unionism.enGeary, J., Gamwell, S., An American Solution to an Irish Problem: A Consideration of the Material Conditions that Shape the Architecture of Union Organizing, Work, Employment and Society (33.2) pp. 191-207. Copyright © 2017 the Authors. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017016686024IrelandLow-wage vulnerable workersPower resourcesSIPTUUnion organizingUnion renewalJournal Article33219120710.1177/09500170166860242019-03-15https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/