Rank- and- File Union actism in Walmart Argentina

ABAL MEDINA, PAULA

Walmart: State Regulation, Labor Politics, and Global Solidarity.

University of Texas Press

Lugar: Austin; Año: 2017; p. 118 - 149

The article discusses the relationship between capital and labor, especially the unique way of transforming the workforce in actual work at Wal Mart since its installation process and development in Argentina. Based on the notions of employer and union activism device ordering the exposure of the empirical results of research in two major sections: ´banishment of otherness´ and ´union activism in the impossible place´. The first is entitled The banishment of otherness to define the overall strength line device entrepreneur, and develops the various elements that make up the device: unifying multiple abstract distinction; the mysterious client, an invisible control; culture of a permanent arrangement; barriers to entry and exit doors, a typology of the suspects; doors open to single circulation. The second section define the mode of politicization that emerges in this multinational, which aimed shielded against union activity, when a group of workers decide to run as stewards of a guest house in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province . From there suffer a layoff policy, stigmatization and persecution diverse. However, the resistance exerted by these workers activate senses and disruptive dissident general strength line device that expand into this market and others across the country. In section analyzes the process and become a politicization confrontation takes two directions: towards the company and towards the union that held multiple collusion with the company. Also achieved the significant impact this process becoming national newspapers cover. The uniqueness and effectiveness of the device entrepreneur problematize considering the historical time marked, first, by the neoliberal debacle and pops and social upheavals occurring in 2001 and then transformed for normality is constructed during the Kirchner government processes that produce especially until 2008 and marked a steep decline in unemployment and an intensification of labor unrest. The empirical corpus first part mainly concentrated between 2000 and 2005 and the second part from late 2006 until 2009. From a predominantly qualitative approach the empirical corpus consists of direct observation records on premises and on the occasion of protests by workers, in depth interviews with workers, stewards and activists, key informant interviews, analysis of textbooks and other publications company, analysis of various documents prepared by delegates and activists working in the company.