Unions as agents for institutionalisation of labour-centred social sustainability in tourism

This research positions unions as critical agents for achieving labour-centred social sustainability in tourism work. Amidst evolving Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) regulations, social sustainability has gained academic attention. While there is a growing recognition that labour conditions within tourism require improvements to sustain the industry and support the workforce within it, labour-centred social sustainability and the role of unions have received limited consideration to date, despite their important role in protecting decent work and workers’ rights. Based on semi-structured interviews with global union leaders and affiliates, and underpinned by Institutional Theory, this paper proposes a framework that shows how unions shift from a traditional union paradigm towards social-sustainability-oriented unionism. During this process, labour unions engage and intervene at various levels in tourism, mobilising normative claims, shaping regulatory structures and reframing cognitive-cultural understandings. This research argues that unions should be equal and strategic partners of tourism stakeholders to implement robust labour-centred social sustainability practices and policies to achieve improved tourism labour conditions, improved business outcomes and wider social sustainability. As ESG regulations come into force and severe labour shortages continue, the paper offers timely insight and guidance on how to improve mandatory social sustainability efforts and attract and retain talent.