Working Class Associational Power and Labour Reforms in Asymmetrical Contexts: The Cases of Chile and Costa Rica

Abstract

This article analyzes the processes of labor reform in Chile (2014-2016) and Costa Rica (2010-2016). Labor norms in each country are different, but converge in imposing serious limitations to organize unions, bargain collectively and strike practices, resulting in a marked unilateralism by employers in determining working conditions. This article argues that these processes would not allow substantive progress in the working class associational power, due to the strong instrumental power of business elites, which historically and except very short joints, allowed to veto any possibility of advancement of the power of association of workers. To explain these processes and results, the analysis of political games are used as reform processes, in high-level asymmetrical contexts of power between the actors trying to influence the process.