The Role of Employee Voice in Promoting Social and Organisational Justice: Insights from Argentina

Abstract

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Social justice has had different nuances through times, geographies, and ideologies. Argentina has a long trajectory in the search for social justice. Its unionisation level is leading in South America, with 40% of workers affiliated with a union, followed by Brazil and Chile with 20%, and Mexico and Colombia with less than 10% (Tomada et al., 2018). Success or failure in struggles to pursue social and organisational justice has different evaluations, and its objective assessment is challenging. For some, Argentina has only achieved a “crumb” granted by the “bosses”. For others, the price of these social conquests is very high. They raise the “Argentine cost” and prevent national products from being competitive in the international market, which justifies the current high unemployment rate. The chapter presents a detailed revision of literature enriched by leaders’ opinions, trade union magazines, and specialised journalists. We make a historical review of the union’s origins, its ideological evolution, and trade union violence. Trade union organisations and labour laws are analysed. We consider the union’s social actions related to health, tourism, and education. Finally, the current state of the activity and its possible future development is presented.