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Economic crisis and municipal public service employment: comparing developments in seven EU Member States

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Leisink

    (Utrecht University School of Governance, the Netherlands)

  • Stephen Bach

    (Department of Management, King’s College, London, UK)

Abstract

This article examines the impact of austerity policies in seven EU Member States on municipal employment and the ways in which social dialogue can influence consequences for employees. It provides a comparative institutional framework, looking at municipal tasks and powers, and the social dialogue institutions available in the respective countries. In addition, the outcomes of austerity policies are compared with regard to wages, employment levels and the public service provision, as well as the influence of social dialogue institutions on these outcomes. Trade unions and workplace employee representatives face a dilemma, having to choose between concession bargaining and opposition to employer plans in order to preserve public sector employment. Between and within countries there seem to be significant differences in their success. Generally speaking, however, these are tough times for municipal workers, their representatives and citizens dependent on the services municipalities offer.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Leisink & Stephen Bach, 2014. "Economic crisis and municipal public service employment: comparing developments in seven EU Member States," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 20(3), pages 327-342, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:20:y:2014:i:3:p:327-342
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258914538351
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vera GLASSNER & Maarten KEUNE, 2012. "The crisis and social policy: The role of collective agreements," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 151(4), pages 351-375, December.
    2. László Neumann & Erzsébet Berki & Márk Edelényi, 2014. "Austerity and politically motivated changes – wage bargaining in Hungarian municipal services," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 20(3), pages 431-444, August.
    3. Linda M. Lobao & Lazarus Adua, 2011. "State rescaling and local governments' austerity policies across the USA, 2001--2008," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 4(3), pages 419-435.
    4. Gilles Jeannot, 2014. "Austerity and social dialogue in French local government," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 20(3), pages 373-386, August.
    5. Berndt Keller, 2014. "The continuation of early austerity measures: the special case of Germany," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 20(3), pages 387-402, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sabina Stan & Idar Helle & Roland Erne, 2015. "European collective action in times of crisis," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 21(2), pages 131-139, May.

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