Abstract

PEREIRA, Irina Bettencourt  and  FIGUEIREDO, Ana Isabel. Transitions and metamorphoses: Contribution for the debate about challenges of unionism within the context of globalisations. Economia Global e Gestão [online]. 2008, vol.13, n.2, pp.61-79. ISSN 0873-7444.

The trade unionism was strengthened during industrialization and Fordism, within “normal” employment relations, in contexts of economic expansion, proliferation of Keynesian policies and enhancement of human capital. However, the contexts have been changing: the employment relations have been transformed, the typical worker (factories) is no longer the main basis of formation of trade unions nor of the national structures of employment, the favourable contexts of social democracy and welfare state are in crisis, and the opening of economies to the global market changed the patterns of transnational competitiveness spreading many workers in individualization, vulnerability and higher unemployment. To survive in these contexts and play a prominent role in global governance, trade unions need a metamorphosis in their strategic objectives and instruments of action. It is intended here to reflect the union crisis, the emerging challenges and the “creative utopias” for union revitalization.

Keywords : Restructuring; Strategies; Unionism; Globalisations.

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