Hermes Augusto Costa

From Europe as a model to Europe as austerity: the impact of the crisis on Portuguese trade unions1

Twenty five years after Portuguese EU accession, the labour market in general and the trade unions in particular are faced with severely regressive social measures that undermine past expectations of progress towards the achievement of the Social Europe project in Portugal. Thus, on the one hand, this article identifies some of the ambitions and possibilities earlier opened up for the Portuguese labour market, as well as trade union attitudes to European integration. It is argued, on the other hand, that, in the context of the economic crisis and the austerity measures to which Portugal is subjected, the sense of Portugal’s backwardness in relation to the ‘European project’ has become more acute. The article accordingly focuses on and examines some of the austerity measures and certain controversial issues associated with them. In a final section, the impact of austerity on labour relations and the reactions of social partners, in particular the trade unions, are analysed.

European Companies without European Works Councils: Evidence from Portugal

■ This article analyses the impact of the European Works Councils (EWCs) Directive in Portuguese multinationals. Though seven Portuguese companies are covered by the provisions of the Directive, only one EWC exists. Some of the main obstacles to the establishment of EWCs in Portugal are identified. The experience of the Banco Espírito Santo Group, where the only Portuguese EWC currently exists, is discussed.

Labour Relations and Social Movements in the 21st Century

Perhaps labour relations and social movements are today – more than ever before – two fields of decisive importance in contemporary sociology. In spite of being issues that can be treated autonomously, in a context of intense and ever-worsening austerity measures in many societies it makes sense, in fact, to think of them as interconnected. Besides, it is difficult to talk of a global crisis in capitalism, of an unemployment crisis, of a crisis in models of collective bargaining, and so on, without talking of the response strategies of societys citizens. So, for this purpose, we need to consider the “old” trade union organisations as well as the “new” ones, and to pay attention to the social networks which are emerging worldwide in the struggle for the right to employment and a dignified future. New groups, languages, proposals and rebels are emerging and, in many countries of the West, the overall society seems to be moving and asking for new agendas and political repertoires. The panorama of a deep economic crisis which in the last few decades has hit Europe and its Welfare state in particular has had an unprecedented impact on employment and social policies. The neoliberal model and the effects of deregulated and global finance not only question the “European social model” but push sectors of the labour force – with the youngest and well-qualified being prominent – into unemployment or precarious jobs.

Portuguese Trade Unions and European IntegrationLessons from a Dual Vision

Following the same course adopted towards the national issues, the positioning of the two main Portuguese trade union confederations (CGTP and UGT) vis-a-vis European integration also seems to lead to the adoption of distinct positions between them. Taking the “European challenge” as a backdrop, this paper attempts to systematize some of the most recent positions of the CGTP and UGT concerning European integration, taking into consideration not only the contributions to a Europeanization of union structures, but also the institutional evolution of the European Union.

European works councils between formal requirements and good practices: the potential for further development based on evidence from Portugal1

The formal texts of agreements establishing European works councils (EWCs) set out the ‘starting conditions’ that regulate the activity of these transnational institutions. This article complements an analysis of the formal texts of agreements in 111 EWCs in the metallurgical, chemical and financial sectors with an assessment of the experience of Portuguese members of these EWCs. An analysis of topics in the 111 EWC agreements reveals several difficulties with the functioning of EWCs. Beyond the texts of EWC agreements, the diversity of workers’ representatives’ experiences is crucial to a better understanding of how EWCs function. The final section of the article highlights several good practices experienced by (Portuguese) workers’ representatives belonging to three EWC select committees in three multinationals: VW Group (metallurgical sector), Air Liquide Group (chemical sector) and Banco Espírito Santo Group (financial sector).

O sindicalismo, a política internacional e a CUT

This article focuses on the relationship between trade unionism and international politics, a subject scarcely studied by scholars of trade unionism. The first part refers to some obstacles felt by union organizations when they have to construct their international relations policy. The second part analyses the international relations policy of the Brazilian CUT, pointing out its stages and key features.

Saving jobs, protecting rights: the Autoeuropa Agreement

to the labour force as a result of factors such as company closures, relocation and the restructuring of production, company mergers, etc., any concrete examples of a reversal in this trend should be welcomed and encouraged. This is particularly true when such reversals occur in contexts where labour conflicts predominate, as is the case in Portugal. To prevent the dismissal of around 25% of the workforce at Autoeuropa (a joint-venture established in Palmela, Portugal, more than a decade ago, initially consisting of the Ford and Volkswagen, VW Groups and subsequently, from 1999 onwards, only the VW Group) that had at first appeared inevitable due to a fall in vehicle production (namely a drop in production of 50 000 vehicles between 2003 and 2005), the Autoeuropa management and the organisation representing the workers – the Comissão de Trabalhadores (the CTs or Workers Commission) – agreed in November 2003 to save 895 jobs, in exchange for a twoyear wage freeze.

Identidades sindicais europeias em tempos de globalização

Recuperando alguns exemplos da realidade sindical europeia, este texto propoe-se elaborar, em primeiro lugar, uma sintese de algumas transformacoes contemporâneas ocorridas no mundo laboral. Em segundo lugar, passa em revista alguns dos tracos caracteristicos da(s) crise(s) actuais do sindicalismo, tracos esses que tem dificultado a criacao de uma coesa identidade sindical europeia. Por fim, sao recuperados alguns temas em redor dos quais se poderao pensar futuros desafios alternativos e maximizar uma (re)afirmacao identitaria do trabalho.

Precariousness and call centre work: Operators’ perceptions in Portugal and Brazil

We present comparative research on operators’ perceptions of the work process in two telecommunications call centres, one in Portugal and the other in Brazil. We argue that, despite the different pace of economic performance in recent years in Portugal and Brazil, there is a common trend towards casualization. Despite differences between the two call centres, both case studies show a process that imposes standardized behaviour. By exploring the subjective perceptions of call centre operators, we contribute to the ‘pessimistic’ (but probably more realistic) strand of literature on call centre work.

Debating the future of work: a trail-blazing simulation of an ILO International Labour Conference at the University of Coimbra

The International Labour Organization (ILO) will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2019. At the 2015 International Labour Conference (ILC) – the statutory body that each year approves conventions, recommendations and resolutions related to working conditions and industrial relations – ILO Director-General Guy Ryder chose ‘The Future of Work’ (Ryder, 2015) as the major theme for the ILO’s centenary. This was to be based on four main themes/conversations ‘regarded as nonexclusive and indicative’ (p. 9): (i) work and society; (ii) decent jobs for all; (iii) the organisation of work and production; and (iv) the governance of work. Since then, and in accordance with the tripartite spirit of the ILO, numerous debates and reflections on these issues have been taking place at the global, regional and local levels.