Motivação para o engajamento sindical : estudo de uma organização de agricultores familiares no nordeste paraense

Abstract

This research deals with the motivations for engagement in the Union of Rural Workers (STTR), in the Municipality of Concórdia do Pará. Collective action represents one of the most important ways to make social and political claims prevail and is often carried out through organizations. Social organizations, therefore, become privileged instruments of contestation and political confrontation and, especially, unions have historically played a central role in defending the interests of workers. Rural unionism, however, is currently in a more delicate situation, due to a series of transformations that put its attractiveness in check, making it difficult for partners to engage and remain. Therefore, understanding why to become a member of a union is a matter of extreme relevance, not only academic, but also practical. To carry out this analysis, a qualitative approach was used, with data collection taking place in two communities (Galho and Igarapé João), and a settlement (Nova Inácia), as well as at the union headquarters. The research was divided into two stages, with five forays into the field. Secondary data were collected (from the Concordia Agriculture Department and the STTR headquarters), the literature on the researched topic was consulted and 23 interviews were conducted (with 18 family farmers and five union leaders). The survey results showed that the Concord STTR has a significant share of affiliated farmers, most of whom approve the current union board. Nevertheless, I found that most of the members are not up to date with the union contribution, with some claiming that they stopped contributing after the approval of the temporary law 871/2019 which ended the need to issue union declarations so that workers can apply for retirement. This service was one of the main reasons for STTR membership and its cancellation weakened the organization. This fact points to the need for unions to reinvent themselves and establish partnerships with other organizations, such as farmers' associations.