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Abstract

Neoliberal policies have radically altered the global economy. This is particularly evident in São Paulo, Brazil, which has undergone the rapid privatization of resources and services since the 1990s, as well as a major shift from an industrial to a service economy. How do new labor unions responding to a new service -based economy differ from those that have traditionally focused on an industrialized work force? How are labor unions in the global south meeting the challenge of unionizing under neoliberal policies? Finally, how do labor unions build solidarity for collective action among a new and demographically diverse working class? In this article we examine how São Paulo's newest telemarketing labor union, Sintratel, creatively employs a Brazilian version of social movement unionism to thrive in a post-neoliberal society. Moreover, we address the difficulties for collectively organizing young workers with a strong sense of individualism and competitiveness who endeavor to succeed in Brazil‟s emerging economy.

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