Weaving collective action into the flexibility of cultural work. Recent labor struggles and conquests in Argentine audiovisual production

Abstract

The article explores the potential of collective action within cultural sectors and its relationship with the flexibilisation and individualisation of work. It focuses on the Argentine audiovisual sector, analysing three key areas: the impact of trade union action on cultural public policies during the pandemic, the mobilisation of professional groups to improve working conditions on streaming platforms, and feminist activism advocating for a union allowance for pregnant workers in the film industry. Employing a qualitative approach, the article emphasises the role of trade unions and their connections with other forms of collective organisation in these mobilisation processes. These cases demonstrate how, even within a flexible and fragmented sectoral context in the cultural field, collective action –and trade union action in particular– are central to advancing labour rights and improving workers' conditions.