Work relations, trade union strategies and employment (1974-90)

Abstract

In this article, the author presents an analysis of some of the main aspects of the different periods in work relations and social employment policy in Portugal between 1974 and 1990. His aim is to show the basic changes in the political and economic situation with the overall employment policy, labour management strategies and workers' behaviour. He has based this article on the hypothesis that the type of work relations established depended on the political and economic crisis and on the characteristics of the trade union organizations. It is an attempt to organize sociological data to fill some gaps in our knowledge on the subject. It is a provisional attempt in that there is an obvious lack of complete, in-depth studies.