The issues of changes on labor relations resulting from ongoing economic, technological and social changes have raised a growing interest by social analysts in recent decades. The debate is strong and the diversity of works published points to complex and conflicting developments. This article starts by presenting the most important terms in that debate. Afterwards, it attempts to cover the main trends in the Portuguese labor system. Therefore, issues such as the labor conflictuality expressed in strikes, union membership, and collective negotiation in its structure and contexts are analyzed. Finally, the modernization process in businesses is examined in order to show how unions, through negotiation, act upon businesses' technical and organizational processes of restructuring and change as well as the problems they face when defending their jobs.
Labor relations; collective negotiation; technical and organizational change; employment