Argentine trade union movement: revitalization and protagonism from Kirchner to Macri

Abstract

By definition, this paper aims to indicate the form of organization and the structure of Argentine trade unionism, addressing its institution and actors and the revitalization experienced in this sector of the country in the last two decades. We will highlight the reorganization and the protagonism experienced since 2002 with the coming to power of a progressive government – initially with the interim government of Eduardo Duhalde and then with the figures of Néstor and Cristina Kirchner– and the deepening of political action by Argentine trade unionism. With the turn to the right at the end of 2015, from the assumption of Mauricio Macri as president, a phase of severe economic adjustments begins to contain the acute economic crisis experienced in the country. The labor market is affected and thus begins a new phase of exchange and protagonism between government and union forces.