Abstract

Building on labor sociology, labor geography, and politics, this article explores how workers develop a socio-spatial strategy for creating unions under repressive labor regimes in neoliberal contexts. The study uses a comparative multi-case research design, drawing on 46 interviews with union leaders across 30 companies from all economic sectors in Chile-a quintessential example of extreme neoliberalism. The analysis reveals the clandestine and secret processes through which workers orchestrate the formation of unions in a strategy consisting of three tactical phases: initial coordination, withdrawal and institutionalization in external safe spaces, and surprise re-entry. The text contributes to theory-building on union spatial strategies and offers insights applicable across decentralized labor systems.