AN ANALYSIS OF THREE LABOR UNIONS’ OUTREACH TO BRAZILIAN IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN BOSTON

This article seeks to shed light on the conditions under which labor unions can include immigrants in their ranks as a means to regain their strength. It does so by focusing on the example of Brazilian immigrants in Boston and compares the approaches of three union locals in Boston toward organizing Brazilian workers, the Painters, the Teamsters, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. While previous studies argue that ethnicity and social networks can account for immigrants’ receptivity to unions, this article highlights strategic choice on the part of union officials as an important factor in facilitating unionization of Brazilian workers.