Brasil em obras, peões em luta, sindicatos surpreendidos

This article examines the revolts and strikes which took place in March 2011 at construction sites associated with the Federal Government’s Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento (PAC – Growth Acceleration Programme), which had a major impact accross Brazil. It focuses on conflicts and negotiations involving workers, trade unions, companies, the government, the justice system and the Labour Ministry, amongst other actors, during the construction of the Jirau and Santo Antônio hydroelectric plants in the north of the country. It aims to identify the positions of these actors and, from a sociological perspective, offer some reflections on the potential and limitations of trade union action. What issues have these events raised for trade unionism, both in terms of its relationship with its own rank and file and with the current government project