Influence of covid-19 on revitalization strategies in two chilean unions

A longitudinal case study

Abstract

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has affected employment relationships around the world. Trade union organizations have had to adapt to the changes, developing new revitalization strategies or perfecting the ones they already had. This article analyzes the change in such strategies in two Chilean unions in the food industry, before and during the pandemic, using a qualitative methodology of case study comparison. The results suggest that the pandemic had an organizing effect, where unions had to extend their reach beyond the workplace through digital platforms to continue representing workers and continue advancing towards the renewal of their repertoires of action. Consequently, the notion of a well-coordinated union among members originated, which, in turn, boosted union membership.