Monday, March 21, 2011
[IWS] INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN EUROPE 2010 [3 March 2011]
IWS Documented News Service
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Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
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European Commission
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN EUROPE 2010 [3 March 2011]
http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=6566&langId=en
[full-text, 232 pages]
CONTENTS
Foreword by the Commissioner............................................................................................................ 3
Executive summary............................................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 1: Variations and trends in European industrial relations
in the 21st century’s first decade......................................................................................... 17
1.1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................................. 17
1.2. Trade unions................................................................................................................................................................ 18
1.3. Employers’ associations.............................................................................................................................................. 29
1.4. Collective bargaining.................................................................................................................................................. 34
1.5. Employee representation in the enterprise................................................................................................................ 42
1.6. Industrial conflict........................................................................................................................................................ 46
1.7. State and government intervention........................................................................................................................... 48
1.8. Conclusion................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Chapter 2: The crisis: challenges and social partner perspectives..................................................... 55
2.1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................................. 55
2.2. Economic and employment dimensions of the crisis............................................................................................... 55
2.3. Perspectives of the social partners on public policy responses to the crisis.......................................................... 66
2.4. Conclusion................................................................................................................................................................... 79
Chapter 3: Negotiating the crisis: social partner responses............................................................... 85
3.1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................................. 85
3.2. Cross-sector level......................................................................................................................................................... 86
3.3. Sector and company levels.......................................................................................................................................... 97
3.4. Conclusion................................................................................................................................................................. 116
Chapter 4: Wage flexibilisation and the minimum wage................................................................. 127
4.1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................................... 127
4.2. The level of collective wage bargaining: a trend towards decentralisation?......................................................... 129
4.3. Variable pay systems.................................................................................................................................................. 134
4.4. The minimum wage................................................................................................................................................... 139
4.5. Conclusions................................................................................................................................................................ 143
Chapter 5: Industrial relations and the transition to a low-carbon economy................................. 149
5.1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 149
5.2. Policies for a low-carbon economy and their employment consequences........................................................... 149
5.3. The roles of social partners in labour market governance — the analytical framework.................................... 152
5.4. Social partners’ activities related to the transition to a low-carbon economy at national level......................... 153
5.5. European social partners’ activities related to the transition to a low-carbon economy.................................... 161
5.6. Conclusions................................................................................................................................................................ 168
Chapter 6: European social dialogue developments 2008–10.......................................................... 173
6.1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................................... 173
6.2. The crisis and European social dialogue.................................................................................................................. 174
6.3. Other themes in European social dialogue.............................................................................................................. 184
6.4. Conclusion................................................................................................................................................................. 197
Chapter 7: Review of European legislation 2008–10........................................................................ 205
7.1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................................... 205
7.2. Labour law.................................................................................................................................................................. 206
7.3. Health and safety of workers.................................................................................................................................... 214
7.4. Equality rights in employment................................................................................................................................. 218
7.5. Conclusion: future perspectives............................................................................................................................... 219
Press Release 3 March 2011
Europe's social dialogue vital to overcoming crisis says new report
Dialogue between workers' and employers' representatives and between governments has been crucial in helping to shape Europe's response to the crisis. The involvement of workers and employers (the social partners) in negotiation and consultation has helped companies and workers adapt to change and their contribution has, in particular, helped to minimise job losses in Europe according to a new report published today by the European Commission. Strong social dialogue led to responses such as the introduction or extension of short-time working schemes in a number of EU countries and sectors. The social partners are also playing an important role in the successful implementation of the EU's 'Europe 2020' strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
[Thanks to Paul Marginson, Director, Industrial Relations Research Unit Warwick Business School University of Warwick, who was chief editor and contributor for this report]
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This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.
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Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
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