The article analyses the trajectory of the Chilean labour movement during the new democratic period, specifically the action of the United Workers Central (CUT). We argue that the unions faced a complex scenario because of the characteristics of the transitional democratic process, marked by the dictatorial heritage with a structural position of weakness as an effect of the neoliberal model. In response, CUT went from a position of cooperation with a democratic confrontation because of dissatisfaction with the results of incomplete democracy governments, becoming a reference opposition to neoliberalism.