Gender conscientization, social movement unionism, and labor revitalization: a perspective from Mexico

Abstract

Since the 1980s, rates of unionization have been declining in Mexico, as they have in many Anglo- and Latin American countries, contributing to the marginalization of a once powerful political actor. It has been argued that labor revitalization in Mexico will require institutional reforms to the Federal Labor Law. This article suggests that important lessons for labor revitalization in Mexico can also be taken from discussions of social movement and citizenship movement unionism. Drawing on evidence from the decades long collaboration of union women with civil society organizations, I show that raising union women's gender consciousness can help to democratize union agendas and build alliances within civil society that can help broaden the struggle for institutional reforms.