Portuguese Trade Unionism and Austerity: between the Strength of Protests and the Weakness of Alliances
In recent years, the adoption of austerity measures to overcome the sovereign debt crisis has highlighted the weakness of trade unions as institutions, but has also represented a test of the latter’s capacity to offer up resistance as a movement. It is a fact that trade unions have sought to react against austerity policies. However, trade unionism continues to soldier on “proudly” yet alone, internally divided and influenced by partisan tendencies, and little disposed to form alliances with other groups/movements that are also targeting the precariousness of the world of work. The first part of the article summarizes some of the austerity measures that have been adopted and presents the main Portuguese trade union confederations and socio-occupational actors as well as their discourses regarding the crisis. The second part identifies the key moments of trade union reaction and social protest against the austerity measures (highlighting both strikes and large social demonstrations). The third and last part points out some external and internal challenges currently facing trade unionism in Portugal. On the one hand, trade unions have to resist the external pressures caused by austerity policies; on the other hand, they need to adopt purposeful action “from within,” opening up to new audiences (precarious and non-unionized workers, also strongly affected by the crisis and austerity measures) and therefore to new forms of articulation of social protest. The creation of a trade union in the music, show business and audiovisual sector and the struggle in a call center in the health sector are, in this regard, two challenges to the autonomy and renewal of trade union practices, perhaps pointing the way to a “trade unionism of precarious workers,” heretofore non-existent.