The last waltz: are Italian trade unions leaving the dance floor?

This chapter analyses the strategic choices of Italian trade unions during the period of 1990-2003. To this end it first takes into consideration the cooperative strategy displayed by trade unions during the first part of nineties and the changing contents of the tripartite alliances during the decade. It then focuses on the disruptive impact of the new centre- right government on inter unions cooperation and, moreover, on the internal cohesion of the union confederations which had to face increased difficulties in defining shared strategic choices in collective bargaining as explained by the analysis of the cases of bargaining rounds in the chemical and metalworking sectors.