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Liberalisation and privatisation of public services and strategic options for European trade unions

Author

Listed:
  • Thorsten Schulten

    (Researcher at the Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut (WSI) at the Hans Böckler Foundation in Düsseldorf)

  • Torsten Brandt

    (Researcher at the Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut (WSI) at the Hans Böckler Foundation in Düsseldorf)

  • Christoph Hermann

    (Researcher at the Forschungs- und Beratungsstelle Arbeitswelt (FORBA) in Vienna)

Abstract

This article argues that liberalisation and privatisation of public services in Europe have had a significant impact on employment and working conditions. Our basic hypothesis is that companies affected by growing competitive pressures increase efforts to reduce labour costs. The consequences are, on the one hand, the reduction of public sector employment and, on the other, a transformation of the traditional public sector labour relations regime (LRR). While employees were previously treated as a relatively homogenous workforce, liberalisation and privatisation have fuelled divisions, fragmentation and individualisation. In some sectors and countries this has led not only to a substantial deterioration of employment and working conditions but also to the emergence of a two-tier workforce. From this perspective liberalisation and privatisation represent a considerable threat to workers and therefore the trade unions, which have at their disposal a number of strategies to respond to the new challenges, including fighting privatisation, demanding strong sector-wide regulations and campaigning to strengthen the public sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Thorsten Schulten & Torsten Brandt & Christoph Hermann, 2008. "Liberalisation and privatisation of public services and strategic options for European trade unions," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 14(2), pages 295-311, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:14:y:2008:i:2:p:295-311
    DOI: 10.1177/102425890801400209
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Helen Bewley, 2006. "Raising the Standard? The Regulation of Employment, and Public Sector Employment Policy," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 44(2), pages 351-372, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bettina Wagner & Anke Hassel, 2016. "Posting, subcontracting and low-wage employment in the German meat industry," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 22(2), pages 163-178, May.

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