DIFFERENT WAYS OF FIGHTING:

THE LABOR MOVEMENT IN THE ENGENHO DE DENTRO WORKERS UNION

Abstract

This article aims to present the ways whereby the labor movement manifested itself in the early twentieth century in Rio de Janeiro. For this analysis, the Engenho de Dentro Workers Union (“União Operária do Engenho de Dentro”) will be taken as an example of how some workers used moderate mechanisms to solve their problems. While the strikes were an important weapon for this, the search for legislative support and, hence, the legal guarantee of certain basic rights has made it possible for part of the arising Brazilian working class to soften their terrible working conditions.