III‑ The Confederations ‑ General
•1950s confederations closely tied to political parties ‑ little autonomy
•Unaffiliated (autonomous) unions important in several sectors and grew in 1980s
•3 major confederations trying to reorganize their affiliates into about 20 industrial federations each
•Long history of ideological schism but 1980s and 1990s considerable cooperation among the confederations
Unaffiliated (autonomous) unions important in several sectors and grew in 1980s
   Many craft unions unaffiliated
   Still majority of unionists in unions affiliated to one of the three major confederations

3 major confederations trying to reorganize their affiliates into about 20 industrial federations each
   All organize white and blue collar, private and public sector and the retired
   These confederations have won overwhelming majority of RSU elections