Abstract
Unions formally hold the monopoly of workers’ representation to cope with redistributive conflicts; however, that role may be played by other social actors when unions systematically fail. In an illuminating analysis, the chapter argues that to facilitate expression and resolution of distributive conflicts within the labour world, the conflict of representation has to be resolved alongside the fundamental dimension of conflict in capitalist societies—redistribution of wealth. The chapter addresses the extreme situation in Mexico for which the representation of workers’ interests is effectively blocked, as official unions tend to represent the interests of their leaders, governments or employers. Different case studies show alternative paths followed by Mexican workers and civil organizations to replace traditional unions through independent means of organization that overcome state institutional barriers.
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Bensusán, G., Subiñas, M. (2017). Conflicts of Representation and Redistribution in the Mexican Labour World. In: Zaremberg, G., Guarneros-Meza, V., Gurza Lavalle, A. (eds) Intermediation and Representation in Latin America. Studies of the Americas. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51538-0_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51538-0_7
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