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It takes two to tango. Management and European company agreements

Author

Listed:
  • Hans-Wolfgang Platzer

    (Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Germany)

  • Stefan Rüb

    (Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Germany)

Abstract

European negotiations are a relatively new and dynamic phenomenon of company-level industrial relations. Research thus far has mainly focused on the employee and trade union side. This contribution deals with the role of management. Based on case study research, it analyses management’s motivations and negotiation strategies in initiating and implementing European company-level agreements. The research shows that only in very few cases is the employee side able to force central management to the European negotiation table by organizing effective transnationally coordinated collective action or protests. As a rule, negotiations at European company level are only possible if management itself has a manifest interest in regulating certain issues at European level. In these cases, management’s interest in negotiations opens up room for manoeuvre for the employee side as regards not only the content of the agreement, but also the negotiation process itself and its participants.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans-Wolfgang Platzer & Stefan Rüb, 2014. "It takes two to tango. Management and European company agreements," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 20(2), pages 255-270, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:20:y:2014:i:2:p:255-270
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258914526104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Isabel da Costa & Udo Rehfeldt, 2007. "European Works Councils and transnational bargaining about restructuring in the auto industry," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 13(2), pages 313-316, May.
    2. Ian Greer & Marco Hauptmeier, 2012. "Identity Work: Sustaining Transnational Collective Action at General Motors Europe," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(2), pages 275-299, April.
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