ABSTRACT
Even before the 2008 crisis, the Greek trade union system was characterized by low density and weak links with other societal actors. The unsuccessful union response to the austerity policies imposed on Greece after 2010 reflected the extent of the institutional labour organizations’ weakness. This chapter provides insights into the changes the workers’ movement is undergoing in this challenging environment. The focus is on three levels of analysis: first, the inability of traditional union elites to propose structural reforms for the unions themselves in order to strengthen their negotiating capacity. Second, the rank-and-file efforts to connect with the anti-austerity mobilization and introduce labour-related claims in the movements’ agenda. Third, hybrid experiments developing at the local level, aiming at constructing solidarity structures for the suffering population. The concluding point is that scholarly investigation on trade union mobilization and activity needs to take into account phenomena which, until recently, were not considered relevant to labour research.
