Brazil’s “new unionism,” which emerged in the late 1970s, declared itself class-oriented, autonomous, and independent of the state. It proposed to take the lead in defense of eliminating the exploitation of labor by capital and of the real possibility of constructing of a socialist society. Identifying with the most dynamic sector of the working class, it expanded the participation of organized workers in the struggle for their demands. Over time, however, with changes in the political conjuncture and the introduction of neoliberal economic policies, the movement became more institutionalized—retreating from confrontation, devoting increasing attention to electoral politics, and giving more emphasis to hierarchical and bureaucratized leadership. Despite its many achievements, it proved incapable of putting down roots within companies or reducing social inequalities. Overemphasizing the idea of a complete break with the past may have prevented it from giving appropriate attention to the difficulties historically confronted by the labor movement in Brazil.