Exploring the history from past to present, danish labour union impact

Workz case: Exploring the history from past to present, danish labour union impact

What was once historically bolstered by a strong union presence has now seen trends that raise concerns about the future of their rights and protections. Labour unions in Denmark are experiencing a decline in membership due to various number of reasons (i.e., stricter tax deductions, etc.), and it is important that its rich history is showcased and preserved for future generations.

Educating people about the history of labour movements and their role in securing working rights and protections is crucial. To address this, we developed a learning tool that focuses on this history to tackle contemporary challenges, aiming to educate union representatives on effectively communicating goals, such as fair wages, job stability, and equal pay for minorities.

This process draws inspiration from Marshall Ganz’s approach to public narrative (Ganz, 2009), a leadership-development practice by him to motivate others to join leaders in an action on behalf of a shared focus. His exercise is profound as it focuses on including your vision and experience but taking the time to listen to and reflect. As in the eye of Ganz, improving labour conditions requires promoting diverse conversations across different demographics and fostering dialogue between older and younger generations to create a more inclusive and reflective experience.

Designing the learning tool 

Our team designed the learning tool with FH, the umbrella organisation for many unions in Denmark, and Arbejdermuseet (Workers Museum). Since the unions under FH run the courses themselves, we designed the tools to be accessible, easy to facilitate, and playful.

The design process prioritised interaction and collaboration, creating an environment that encourages active group participation. The main feature is a timeline, a large mat, that effectively conveys history, covering historical themes from the beginning of labour unions to the present day.

Alongside the timeline, the team also designed cards. The cards help facilitate discussions and provide a unique learning experience as participants move through the timeline. On the cards are a few lines about the events, keeping it brief so participants are not overwhelmed with too much information.

If participants want to learn more information, they can scan a QR code and get access to a website that gives further details. Built by The Pack, the website provides an online narrative for participants to reflect on labour unions’ histories and their impact on current unions.

Sustaining the history for future generations

The goal was for participants to enjoy the learning experience, understand their current situation better, and learn something new. The deep engagement and passion throughout the process from our client also indicates the success of this initiative. We are hopeful that this game will sustain this rich history for future generations to come, ensuring its legacy continues to inspire and educate.