Journal Issues
The French System of Collective Bargaining
Collective bargaining in France was generalised by law in 1950, which established the industry as the main level for bargaining. In 1971, collective bargaining at the ‘inter-professional’ (cross-industry) level was also established. Finally, the ‘Auroux laws’ of 1982 imposed an annual obligation to bargain about wages and working time at the workplace or company level [...]
Social Dialogue between strong Social Partners: Vital for Democracy, Vital for Europe
In most EU member states, social dialogue between trade unions and employers is an essential feature of the democratic process. Trade unions and employers negotiate pay and working conditions, and, in some countries, they also have a say in social security arrangements or have key roles in other areas. They help government manage the economy, [...]
Collective Bargaining in the UK and EU
The system of industrial relations in the UK is traditionally characterised by voluntary relations between the social partners, with a minimal level of interference from the state. Since 1979 there has been a shift to increased legal restrictions on trade unions combined with legally established employment rights, mainly as a result of EU directives. Today [...]
European Collective Bargaining Coordination in the Metal and Electronic Industries during the Economic Crisis
Austerity measures from various European Governments in the midst of the deepest economic crisis of the last 80 years include drastic wage cuts for employees. Could this mark the end of coordinated collective bargaining of European Trade Unions? Prior to the introduction of European monetary union, from the mid 90s the European trade unions had [...]
The Economic Crisis, US Progressivism, and West European Socialism and Social Democracy
It occasionally is rewarding to think of ideal solutions to current crises rather than of outcomes dictated by evident and immediate constraints. It is rewarding because it invariably teaches us humility about our current political capacities – and because, even in that lesson, we may find new ways of looking at our situation. I designate [...]
The Polish System of Collective Bargaining
The Polish Labour Code (Chapter XI of Act of 26 June 1974) provides legal regulations for collective bargaining in Poland at two levels. The company agreements are negotiated between an employer or one or more regional trade union organisations at company level. The company level remains the predominant level of collective negotiations in Poland. According [...]
The current Crisis reveals both: The Importance and the Limitations of the transnational Coordination of Collective Bargaining Policies
The deepening of economic integration of the European Union, which gained further momentum with the introduction of European Monetary Union and the ‘eastern’ enlargement of the EU, has been a major driving force for European trade unions to intensify their efforts to coordinate collective bargaining policies across borders. The rationale for unions to embark on [...]
The Society of Freedom – Global Crisis Outlook
In the background of the current global economic crisis, there is a societal crisis on a par with the crisis of the 1930s. At that time, in an age of monopolised markets, the unregulated capitalism of the 19th century failed, paving the way for Nazism and the Second World War. After paying a heavy price [...]
New Politics, Old Dilemmas
The Progressive Dilemma: From Lloyd George to Blair, by David Marquand Orion Books, ISBN-13: 978-0753807064 This is an unusual book review in that it represents something of an appeal for a new edition to a long thumbed through publication. It has been a decade since David Marquand, academic and one-time politician, updated his classic: The [...]
A Lasting Impression from the Man who would be European King?
Just two years after his departure from Downing Street comes this early attempt to assess Tony Blair’s legacy as British prime minister. And it arrives at a time when Blair was being considered for the new role of President of the European Council; an ambition he was unable to realise. Such renewed interest surely focuses [...]
Good Capitalism… and what would need to change for that
The ongoing financial crisis points unmistakably to the glaring weaknesses of the present economic system. An event that seemed relatively manageable in economic terms – the real estate bubble in the United States – has brought the globalised economy to the brink of a new depression, reawakening memories of the world economic crisis of 1929. [...]
Can The State Still Be Saved?
After eleven years in government, the German Social Democratic Party are now having to cope with their greatest electoral defeat in the post-war period. On the day of the election there was a feeling almost of unbelief about what was happening, not just among party members but also among many supporters. How was it possible [...]
