Tarifverhandlungen – ein überflüssiges Ritual? Zur Innenansicht eines gesellschaftlichen Konfliktes

Collective bargaining negotiations, at least those of which the general public are aware, are often viewed as surviving but empty rituals. Behind the scenes, however, these rituals prove to be a network of pre-determined forms of behaviour which are observed by both parties to the collective bargaining and which ensure both behavioural safety and predictability. In addition, the external and internal communication and decision-making structures of collective bargaining configure the basis for the social and economic conflict between the protagonists of wage earners and capital. They are based on fixed legal, social and economic frameworks which cannot be ignored without consequences. The article describes central essential organisational and social processes of collective bargaining and analyses their importance in shaping the democratic development of public opinion and compromise. It becomes clear that what is often dismissively described as ‘collective bargaining ritual’ is in fact highly functional and in no way pointless for the cooperative structure of collective bargaining autonomy.