Mulheres sindicalistas de Abril: ausências, insurgências e emergências

Abstract

This article aims to carry out a sociological reflection on women’s participation in the Portuguese unionism under the theoretical reference of the sociology of absences and emergencies. Our research object is the memories of female workers and union women who experienced the process of democratic transition in Portugal. Analyzing the paradoxical condition of work, not only as a space of economic exploitation but also of women’s insurgency, we present the possibilities of the emergence of women in Portuguese unionism and point out the gender inequalities on contemporary union activism. The empirical research was carried out by bibliographic review, documentary research, consultation of testimonials, and interviews. Finally, we present the key findings of applying the theoretical reference of the sociology of absences and emergencies in labor union studies, focusing on women’s activism.

Keywords

• gender issues
• Portugal
• trade union movement
• woman’s participation
• working women