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Triggering employee voice under the European Information and Consultation Directive: A non-union case study

Author

Listed:
  • Niall Cullinane

    (Queen’s University Belfast, UK)

  • Eugene Hickland

    (National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland)

  • Tony Dundon

    (National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland)

  • Tony Dobbins

    (Bangor University, UK)

  • Jimmy Donaghey

    (University of Warwick, UK)

Abstract

The transposition of the 2002/14/EC Directive, establishing a general framework for information and consultation (I&C), has proven contentious in largely voluntarist systems of employment regulation. Receiving particular criticism is the employee ‘opt-in’ mechanism as a means to access I&C rights. For non-union employees in particular, the ability and potential to negotiate rights for I&C is widely seen to be problematic. This article uniquely examines the opt-in mechanism in the context of non-unionism, considering how non-union employers respond to non-union employees invoking their legislative rights to I&C. Drawing upon a case study conducted over four years in a large non-union multinational, the evidence shows how the opt-in and negotiation process function to the advantage of the employer rather than the intended regulatory impact to advance employee rights.

Suggested Citation

  • Niall Cullinane & Eugene Hickland & Tony Dundon & Tony Dobbins & Jimmy Donaghey, 2017. "Triggering employee voice under the European Information and Consultation Directive: A non-union case study," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 38(4), pages 629-655, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:38:y:2017:i:4:p:629-655
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X15584085
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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