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Crisis and trade union challenges in Portugal and Spain: between general strikes and social pacts

Author

Listed:
  • Maria da Paz Campos Lima

    (Dinâmia-CET, Lisbon University Institute, pazmlima@gmail.com)

  • Antonio Martín Artiles

    (Department of Sociology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB))

Abstract

This article examines the responses of trade union confederations to the impact of the international crisis of 2007—2010 in Portugal and in Spain. Both countries had socialist governments in power and were in particularly vulnerable positions when the crisis struck. During this period trade union confederations negotiated social pacts and called general strikes. Drawing from the literature on social pacts, general strikes and on the identities and strategic actions of trade unions, the article explores the dynamics of government policies and trade union responses and their implications for the relationship between social pacts and general strikes.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria da Paz Campos Lima & Antonio Martín Artiles, 2011. "Crisis and trade union challenges in Portugal and Spain: between general strikes and social pacts," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 17(3), pages 387-402, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:17:y:2011:i:3:p:387-402
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258911410806
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard Hyman, 2007. "How can trade unions act strategically?," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 13(2), pages 193-210, May.
    2. Rosa Nonell & Ramón Alós-Moner & Antonio Martin Artiles & Joaquin Molins, 2006. "The governability of collective bargaining. The case of Spain," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 12(3), pages 349-367, August.
    3. Hyman, Richard, 2007. "How can trade unions act strategically?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 39803, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Avdagic, Sabina & Rhodes, Martin & Visser, Jelle, 2005. "The Emergence and Evolution of Social Pacts: A Provisional Framework for Comparative Analysis," European Governance Papers (EUROGOV) 1, CONNEX and EUROGOV networks.
    5. Richard Hyman & Rebecca Gumbrell-McCormick, 2010. "Trade unions, politics and parties: is a new configuration possible?," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 16(3), pages 315-331, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Torsten Müller & Hans-Wolfgang Platzer, 2020. "The European Trade Union Federations within the European polity: ETUFs and international trade union activity," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 26(3), pages 289-305, August.
    2. Steffen Lehndorff, 2015. "Acting in different worlds. Challenges to transnational trade union cooperation in the eurozone crisis," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 21(2), pages 157-170, May.
    3. Alan Stoleroff, 2016. "The Portuguese labour movement and industrial democracy: from workplace revolution to a precarious quest for economic justice," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 22(1), pages 101-119, February.
    4. Sofía Pérez de Guzmán & Beltrán Roca & Iban Diaz-Parra, 2016. "Political exchange, crisis of representation and trade union strategies in a time of austerity," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 22(4), pages 461-474, November.
    5. Maria da Paz Campos Lima & Antonio Martín Artiles, 2013. "Youth voice(s) in EU countries and social movements in southern Europe," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 19(3), pages 345-364, August.

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