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Economic Integration and State Responses: Change in European Industrial Relations since Maastricht

Author

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  • Guglielmo Meardi

Abstract

The article analyses industrial relations change in the six largest EU countries since 1992 in relation to increased internationalization pressures. Based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, it distinguishes between associational and state governance, and detects that despite a predominant, but not universal, trend of weakening trade unions and collective bargaining, no overall liberalization has occurred in the political regulation of employment (employment policies, welfare state, labour law, state support to collective bargaining, public sector). Rather than converging towards neoliberalism, industrial relations emerge as more politically contingent and dependent on multiple forms of power, which are affected by internationalization in different ways.

Suggested Citation

  • Guglielmo Meardi, 2018. "Economic Integration and State Responses: Change in European Industrial Relations since Maastricht," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 56(3), pages 631-655, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:56:y:2018:i:3:p:631-655
    DOI: 10.1111/bjir.12307
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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