Reconfiguration of Labor Relations and Union Action in Uruguayan Context

The aim of the presentation is to reflect from the Labor Sociology perspective about changes in labor and, more specifically, in the Uruguayan labor relations system, in the context of alternation of left-wing and right-wing governments in Uruguay. From a configurational methodology, it is proposed to identify those aspects that define the current labor relations system, emphasizing on which were the strategies or actions that the unions carried out in order to face the new challenges of this change of scenario. A relevant theoretical sustenance for this purpose is the revitalization theory as the power sources one.

Among the most outstanding aspects that can be taken from the analysis of this period, is the revitalization of the union movement, which renovated its strength, recovering its role of the leadership and channeler of several demands existing on society. Secondly, it is observed how, when changing the labor context, because of the turn of the government, the unions have rebuilt the value of labor. Not only from a monetary perspective and/or instrumental, but especially moral one, which has also led to orientate fights morally motivated by different groups.

Based on this idea, the presentation rebuilds the demands of the unions, understood as demands of reciprocal appreciation (moral) between labor actors. A novelty is how the unions conne connect with different ethics (bio-ethic, environmentalist, feminist, economic, spatial and labor) as frames of reference of their action and social changes proposal. In this context, is approached their posture about issues like climate change, labor time, caregiving economy, environment, among others that are the axis of the union debate nowadays.