Even before the 2008 crisis, the Greek trade union system was already characterized by low density and weak links to other societal actors. The unsuccessful union response to the austerity policies imposed on Greece reflected the extent of the weakness of the institutional labour organisations. This article provides some insights into the changes the workers’ movement has been undergoing in this challenging environment. The focus is on three levels of analysis: First, the inability of the established union elites to propose structural reforms for the unions, which would have strengthened their negotiating capacity in a post-tripartit setting. Second, the rank-and-file efforts to connect with the anti-austerity mobilisation and introduce labour-related claims in the movements’ agenda. And finally, hybrid experiments developed at the local level, aimed at building up solidarity structures for the suffering population.
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