Queen Mary University’s Giorgos Gouzoulis Honored with Russo & Linkon Award

This prestigious accolade recognises Gouzoulis’ outstanding contribution through his article titled What Do Indebted Employees Do? Financialisation and the Decline of Industrial Action, published in the Industrial Relations Journal on January 2, 2023.

Gouzoulis’ research investigates the link between workers’ increasing debts and their reluctance to participate in strikes, highlighting significant implications for labour movements worldwide. Spanning four decades, his analysis demonstrates how neoliberal economic policies and the erosion of social safety nets have exacerbated household indebtedness, influencing workers’ decisions across diverse economies including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

In his award-winning article, Gouzoulis argues that financial pressures compel workers to prioritise job security and debt repayment over collective action, thereby reducing a historically powerful tool for demanding fair treatment and better working conditions. His work also critiques how economic uncertainties constrain workers’ ability to challenge injustices in the workplace.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Russo & Linkon Award from the WCSA,” said Gouzoulis. “This recognition underscores the urgency of addressing the systemic challenges faced by working-class communities in today’s globalised economy.”

The judging panel said: “Giorgos Gouzoulis’ research illuminates the stark reality of modern labour dynamics, revealing how escalating household indebtedness has undermined workers’ traditional leverage in demanding societal change through strikes. His analysis spans diverse economies, illustrating the universal impact of financialisation on labour rights and the urgent need to strengthen social safety nets to revive a robust, progressive labour movement.”