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Workforce adjustment strategies and concession bargaining in times of crisis: A qualitative approach based on French case studies

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  • Noélie Delahaie
  • Coralie Perez

Abstract

Although the scale of the current crisis undoubtedly implies heavy repercussions on employment and work, this paper draws on the experience of French firms that implemented various workforce adjustments during the 2008 crisis. We focus on how adjustments were negotiated and the bargaining leeway for employee representatives. On the basis of 14 case studies, we seek to determine whether the crisis has led to concession bargaining and, if so, assess the characteristics of the bargaining. Mobilizing the power resources approach, we identify three types of concession bargaining based on their reciprocal and reversible features and question how actors were able to mobilize resources (institutional, associational and structural) at the workplace level. Our analysis shows that times of crisis are conducive to concession bargaining, the counterparts of which are not always identifiable for employees. Ultimately, it raises the need to identify new resources that unions could mobilize to defend jobs in the face of the COVID‐19 crisis.

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  • Noélie Delahaie & Coralie Perez, 2021. "Workforce adjustment strategies and concession bargaining in times of crisis: A qualitative approach based on French case studies," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(5), pages 406-422, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:52:y:2021:i:5:p:406-422
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicolas Castel & Noélie Delahaie & Héloïse Petit & Nathaniel London, 2015. "The Interrelationship of Collective Bargaining at Industry and Company-Levels in Wage Determination," Travail et Emploi, La DARES, vol. 0(5), pages 31-63.
    2. Maé Geymond & Coralie Perez & Corinne Perraudin & Nadine Thevenot & Julie Valentin & Francois-Xavier Devetter, 2019. "Entreprise éclatée et périmètre de la représentation collective," Post-Print hal-03895478, HAL.
    3. Valentina Paolucci & Paul Marginson, 2020. "Collective bargaining towards mutual flexibility and security goals in large internationalised companies—why do institutions (still) matter?," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(4), pages 329-350, July.
    4. repec:eme:ijmpps:v:34:y:2013:i:1:p:232-251 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Coralie Perez (coord.) & Nadine Thévenot (coord.) & Nathalie Berta & Delphine Brochard & Noélie Delahaie & Sophie Jallais & Corinne Perraudin & Catherine Sauviat & Julie Valentin, 2014. "Modes d'ajustement à la crise : des relations professionnelles sous tensions," Documents de travail du Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne 14076, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1), Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne.
    6. Stefan Zagelmeyer, 2013. "Tackling the crisis through concession bargaining: evidence from five German companies," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 34(3), pages 232-251, June.
    7. Thomas Amossé & Alex Bryson & John Forth & Héloïse Petit (ed.), 2016. "Comparative Workplace Employment Relations," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-137-57419-0, December.
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    1. Minjie Cai & Sian Moore & Chris Ball & Matt Flynn & Ken Mulkearn, 2022. "The role of union health and safety representatives during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A case study of the UK food processing, distribution, and retail sectors," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(4), pages 390-407, July.

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