The teacher’s union movement at the Federal University of Amapá: local conditions and national articulations in the construction of the 2012 strike

Abstract

It is analyzed the teacher’s union movement at the Federal University of Amapá (Unifap), highlighting the involvement with the construction of the national strike of the category, in 2012. The national context of the outbreak of the strike led by the National Union of Teachers of Higher Education Institutions (ANDES-SN) is considered, the mobilization process, the agenda of demands and the outcome of the movement. Historical aspects of Unifap stand out, with emphasis on the creation of the Unifap Teachers Union, in 1994, and its link to ANDES-SN, as Union Section, in 2002. Empirical information was obtained via an open questionnaire, answered by teachers who participated of the strike and acted as leaders of Sindufap in the period 2012-2020, to identify the involvement with the strike movement, local mobilization, articulation with the national struggle, the outcome and balance of the strike. It is identified that the precarious working conditions and the defense for the restructuring of the career were central elements in the adhesion to the strike movement, evidencing the articulation between the local demands and the national claim. Sindufap's involvement with the strike was active and mobilizing, making the movement an important space for political formation. Regarding the outcome, there is a negative evaluation in relation to meeting the strike agenda, but positive in its political balance. In short, the local experience of the 2012 strike was extraordinary: the assemblies and acts with great participation of the category, added to the union in the struggle with students and administrative technicians, electrified the category, in the hope that an effective change was on the horizon. collective force possible.