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European collective agreements at company level and the relationship between EWCs and trade unions — lessons from the metal sector

Author

Listed:
  • Torsten Müller

    (European and Global Industrial Relations Research Group at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, torstenxmueller@t-online.de, torstenxmueller@t-online.de)

  • Hans-Wolfgang Platzer

    (European and Global Industrial Relations Research Group at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Hans.W.Platzer@sk.hs-fulda.de)

  • Stefan Rüb

    (European and Global Industrial Relations Research Group at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, stefan-rueb@arcor.de)

Abstract

The conclusion of framework agreements at European company level is a relatively new phenomenon which has gained momentum over the past decade, as an increasing number of European Works Councils (EWCs) moved beyond the information and consultation function foreseen in the EWC Directive. This new negotiating role of EWCs confronts trade unions with the twofold challenge to prevent syndicalist tendencies and to secure the primacy of trade unions as collective bargaining actors. Focusing on developments in the metalworking sector, this article examines the content and the implementation of the European Metalworkers’ Federation’s mandating procedure as the so far most far-reaching attempt by trade unions to maintain or regain control over negotiating activities at European company level. Based on an analysis of the negotiating process in four companies the article concludes that the application of the mandating procedure is heavily shaped by customs and practices of company-level and cross-company industrial relations in the company’s home country and that the application of the mandating procedure can be expected to be more successful the more trade unions foster close cooperation among those actors responsible for negotiating policy and thus encourage an understanding among both lay and full-time officials of the necessity of such a procedure.

Suggested Citation

  • Torsten Müller & Hans-Wolfgang Platzer & Stefan Rüb, 2011. "European collective agreements at company level and the relationship between EWCs and trade unions — lessons from the metal sector," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 17(2), pages 217-228, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:17:y:2011:i:2:p:217-228
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258911401448
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Romuald Jagodzinski, 2007. "Involving European Works Councils in Transnational Negotiations – a Positive Functional Advance in their Operation or Trespassing?," Industrielle Beziehungen - Zeitschrift fuer Arbeit, Organisation und Management - The German Journal of Industrial Relations, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 14(4), pages 316-333.
    2. Volker Telljohann & Isabel Da Costa & Torsten Müller & Udo Rehfeldt & Reingard Zimmer, 2009. "European and international framework agreements: new tools of transnational industrial relations," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 15(3-4), pages 505-525, August.
    3. Isabel da Costa & Volker Telljohann & Torsten Müller & Udo Rehfeldt & Reingard Zimmer, 2009. "European and International Framework Agreements : New Tools of Transnational Industrial Relations," Post-Print halshs-00787955, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marc‐Antonin Hennebert & Isabelle Roberge‐Maltais & Urwana Coiquaud, 2023. "The effectiveness of international framework agreements as a tool for the protection of workers' rights: A metasynthesis," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(3), pages 242-260, May.

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