DOCSLIB.ORG

1973-2013 40 Years of History of the European Trade Union Confederation — Christophe Degryse with Pierre Tilly

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
1973-2013 40 Years of History of the European Trade Union Confederation — Christophe Degryse with Pierre Tilly 1973-2013 40 years of history of the European Trade Union Confederation — Christophe Degryse with Pierre Tilly 1973-2013 40 years of history of the European Trade Union Confederation — Christophe Degryse with Pierre Tilly Christophe Degryse: research and final text Pierre Tilly: research, specialist advice and preliminary draft Advisory committee: Emilio Gabaglio, Claudia Menne, John Monks, Józef Niemiec, Philippe Pochet, Bernadette Ségol, Kurt Vandaele Thanks and acknowledgements Special thanks are due to the following for their careful reading of the text and pertinent comments: Peter Coldrick, Emilio Gabaglio, Tom Jenkins, Jean Lapeyre, John Monks, Józef Niemiec, Philippe Pochet, Bernadette Ségol, Peter Seideneck and Kurt Vandaele. We are also particularly grateful to Stefan Clauwaert, Joël Decaillon, Aline Hoffmann and Juan Moreno for their helpful advice and contributions, as well as to Géraldine Hofmann, Antonio Moreira and Jacqueline Rotty for archive searches and retrieval of photos and illustrations. Thanks go finally to Tom Jenkins and Kathleen Llanwarne for their close reading of the final English version of this work which was translated from the French with exceptional care by Inter Alia UK Ltd. Any errors still remaining in the text are, of course, the responsibility of the authors. Publisher: © European Trade Union Institute, 2013 ISBN: 978-2-87452-304-5 Contents 05 Preface 07 Introduction 11 Chapter 1 The Beginnings. Bringing structure and unity to European trade unionism 25 Chapter 2 1973-2013: Forty years of trade union activism 65 Chapter 3 Behind the scenes at the ETUC 91 Chapter 4 The ETUC as actor in the European social dialogue 109 Chapter 5 The development of a trade union agenda for economic governance 129 Chapter 6 Economic freedoms v fundamental social rights 143 Chapter 7 Economic democracy: an inconclusive verdict 159 Chapter 8 The unification of Europe’s trade union movement 185 Chapter 9 Extending the solidarity 203 Conclusion 209 Appendices 209 Notes and bibliographical references 231 List of acronyms 237 List of boxes, graphs and tables 239 List of Euro-demonstrations and European Days of Action (1973-2013) 242 The European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) 243 Bibliography 249 Detailed table of contents 05 Preface This book offers the reader the opportunity to relive the now 40-year-long history of the European Trade Union Confederation. As I close the cover, I am fully convinced that the European trade union movement remains on the right track; I am less certain, however, that the European Union has not been diverted from its original aims. The excesses of casino capitalism and the major crisis that this crazy capitalism has engendered appear to be derailing the European project. Has not the European Union lost its bearings in recent years? In seeking to answer this question, we need to re-read the preamble to the 1957 Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community. This important text contains a number of pointers that remind us of what were the initial inten- tions of the heads of state or government when they embarked on this brand new European venture. The preamble states that ‘the essential purpose’ of the states forming the new Community was that of ‘constantly improving the living and work- ing conditions of their peoples’. This aim, as stated by the initial signatories, was to be pursued through the elimination of obstacles to trade ‘in order to guarantee a steady expansion, a balanced trade and fair competition’ and out of a concern on the part of the member states to ‘approximate their economic policies and ensure their harmonious development’ [our emphasis]. Every word is important in this original description of the plans to achieve European integration, a political project that finds its embodiment in the European Union of today. Viewed in these original terms, this is a Union that strives to improve the well-being of its peoples, within a framework of stability, unity and harmonious development. Such was the project that received support from the world of labour back in the mid-20th century and which the trade unions continue to support today. 06 Yet is this project truly the same one that is being carried forward today by the various European institutional actors? Has not an alternative project come to override all others, a project forged by the urge towards an ever mounting degree and consolidation of economic competitiveness? This new project sees deregula- tion, together with tax, wage and welfare competition, as the tools for building a Europe in which the promise is of ever greater profit margins for big business, unfettered economic freedom, and policy-making focussed predominantly on sim- plifying the regulatory ‘burden’ and reducing the ‘costs’ that prevent ever-rising profits. This new version of the European project, far from improving the living and working conditions of the European people and workforce is, in actual fact, oppressing large sections of the population. We hear, of course, the same old story: today’s profits will become tomorrow’s investments and will thus create the jobs of the future. The problem at the present time, however, is that although we do know where the profits are – generally in tax havens – we have yet to see the resulting investments and jobs. As this moment as I write, more than 26 million people in Europe are unemployed. When countries begin to regard fundamental rights as a flexible component of the economy, aimed at creating higher profits for companies by means of, for example, a reduction in minimum wages, what is this but a complete reversal of the original European project? Such a reversal calls fundamentally into question the whole nature of the relationship between the world of labour and the Europe that is being created; and this problematic relationship is the very process that this book sets out to narrate: the history of the trade union movement as a constant struggle between two different, and sometimes incompatible, visions of what the European project should be. Immersed in the day-to-day work of challenging institutions, formulating political demands, analysing the social consequences of European decisions, mobi- lising and attempting to convince, the European Trade Union Confederation has all too seldom had an opportunity to take a step back in order to contemplate its own past. An anniversary offers just such an opportunity. Telling the tale of the ETUC in accessible written form may be a way of helping people throughout Europe to see the situation more clearly and of enabling salaried workers and trade union mem- bers to realize that it is they themselves and not the markets who are the owners of the original European project, that it is they who can breathe new life into that project’s still vital aims. — Bernadette Ségol General Secretary of the ETUC Brussels, November 2013 To all who have contributed, in whatever way, to the life and activity of the European trade union movement. 07 Introduction Anniversaries provide the opportunity to take stock and to analyse with the requi- site hindsight whatever progress may have been made. The European Trade Union Confederation, founded in 1973, felt that its 40th anniversary represented an ideal opportunity to do just that. Over the years, the organisation has taken shape and grown gradually stronger. It has, in particular, increased considerably in size: origi- nally set up by 17 union organisations from 15 countries, the ETUC affiliates now number no less than 85 national trade union confederations and 10 European fed- erations, not to mention associated organisations and observer members. This book recounts the history of the ETUC and assesses its action in relation to its original self-appointed aims. While several important works have, in the past, focussed upon a partial analysis of the ETUC’s history, this is the first time that, on the basis of numerous unpublished documents, a fully-fledged historical approach has been attempted. For forty years the ETUC has been kept busy with union action, positioning, mobilisation, consultation, social dialogue, demands and challenges to be faced and to be met. The ETUC has known both success and failure. This richly illustrated book adopts a hybrid approach. Alongside a systematic factual history of developments, rooted in the archives, it also seeks to construct a more political narrative, including testimony from those most closely involved in its work, ETUC leaders old and new, advisers and experts, but also critical viewpoints formulated by academics, political figures or social activists. This book is therefore a history of the ETUC as viewed, employing a range of different approaches, from within its political, economic and social context. It is ‘a’ history because it is clearly not the whole history of the European trade union movement. The different chapters of this book examine, in other words, the organisation’s various broad historical priorities, albeit not from every possible standpoint. 08 It is thus that a scientific approach is combined with a political one, the aim being to reveal a rationale for action, a sense of coherence, and to identify the guiding principle that has characterised the – sometimes fraught – history of the ETUC. This organisation’s self-appointed mission has been, after all, to act as the driving force behind the European Union’s social promise of better living and working conditions, so as to bring about, in the words of Jean Monnet, a ‘levelling through progress’, a promise
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The European Social Dialogue the History of a Social Innovation (1985-2003) — Jean Lapeyre Foreword by Jacques Delors Afterword by Luca Visentini
    European Trade Union Institute Bd du Roi Albert II, 5 1210 Brussels Belgium +32 (0)2 224 04 70 [email protected] www.etui.org “Compared to other works on the European Social Dialogue, this book stands out because it is an insider’s story, told by someone who was for many years the linchpin, on the trade unions’ side, of this major accomplishment of social Europe.” The European social dialogue — Emilio Gabaglio, ETUC General Secretary (1991-2003) “The author, an ardent supporter of the European Social Dialogue, has put his heart and soul into this The history of a social meticulous work, which is enriched by his commitment as a trade unionist, his capacity for indignation, and his very French spirit. His book will become an essential reference work.” — Wilfried Beirnaert, innovation (1985-2003) Managing Director and Director General at the Federation of Belgian Enterprises (FEB) (1981-1998) — “This exhaustive appraisal, written by a central actor in the process, reminds us that constructing social Europe means constructing Europe itself and aiming for the creation of a European society; Jean Lapeyre something to reflect upon today in the face of extreme tendencies which are threatening the edifice.” — Claude Didry, Sociologist and Director of Research at the National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS) Foreword by Jacques Delors (Maurice Halbwachs Centre, École Normale Supérieure) Afterword by Luca Visentini This book provides a history of the construction of the European Social Dialogue between 1985 and 2003, based on documents and interviews with trade union figures, employers and dialogue social European The The history of a social innovation (1985-2003) Jean Lapeyre European officials, as well as on the author’s own personal account as a central actor in this story.
    [Show full text]
  • Citizen Engagement in Voting System Reform
    Renewing Canadian Democracy: Citizen Engagement in Voting System Reform Phase One: Lessons from Around the World Law Commission of Canada/Fair Vote Canada Joint Research Project March 2002 Prepared by Dennis Pilon York University This paper was prepared for the Law Commission of Canada under the title “Renewing Canadian Democracy: Citizen Engagement in Voting System Reform. Phase One: Lessons from Around the World." The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission. The accuracy of the information contained in the paper is the sole responsibility of the author. ii Summary The voting system as a particular component of democratic practice has come under increasing scrutiny in the last decade. Reform of existing voting systems in countries like New Zealand, Italy and Japan, along with the rebuilding of democratic institutions in Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America, has focused popular and academic attention on how different voting systems work and what effects they may have on democratic processes. Lessons from Around the World, prepared by Dennis Pilon, York University, reviews the relevant experience with voting system reform from around the world, both past and present, and the degree and nature of citizen engagement involved. The objectives of the paper are threefold: to demonstrate how voting system reforms have occurred historically and the specific political conditions that have facilitated them; highlight the role of citizen participation in the process, both its limits historically and potentially today; and, draw out some of the practical lessons from this experience to help determine how voting system reform might become and issue in Canada, and how citizens might best become involved.
    [Show full text]
  • Book Review: Trade Unions in Western Europe: Hard Times, Hard Choices
    Book Review: Trade Unions in Western Europe: Hard Times, Hard Choices blogs.lse.ac.uk /lsereviewof books/2013/12/05/book-review-trade-unions-in-western-europe-hard- times-hard-choices/ Blog Admin In this book the authors attempt to provide an account of how trade unionism has evolved in ten west European countries, the main recent challenges that unions have faced, and their responses. This work will certainly make a fundamental contribution to the debate about the future role and functions of unions as the authors provide key insights in their attempt to identify how unions can learn to attract new members and enhance their strategic capacities, writes Pietro Manzella. Trade Unions in West ern Europe: Hard Times, Hard Choices. Rebecca Gumbrell- McCormick and Richard Hyman. Oxf ord Universit y Press. Oct ober 2013. Find t his book: Are unions still relevant actors in the twenty- first century? Can they still give ‘voice’ to employees? If so, to what extent can they do this? What is the trade union response to globalization? The answer to these and other questions concerning trade unions is to be found in the latest work by Rebecca Gumbrell- McCormick and Richard Hyman. Trade Unions in Western Europe: Hard Times, Hard Choices sets its sights on the changing functions of unions in western countries in the twenty- first century. In tackling this contentious issue, these two influential scholars supply convincing arguments to explain why the role of unions is still decisive in today’s industrial relations arena. The study is the result of a research project funded by the Danish Social Research Council, which enabled the authors to carry out fieldwork on union responses to globalization.
    [Show full text]
  • Collective Bargaining and Gender Equality Jane Pillinger and Nora Wintour
    The Gendered Economy Series Editors: Sara Cantillon and Diane Elson This path-breaking new series critically examines the economy and the theory and methodology of economics through the lens of gender. It will publish original and incisive research that explores the role of gender in the contemporary global economy. The series showcases how economic relationships, actions and institutions are directly affected by gender norms, how a gendered perspective illuminates aspects of the economy that would otherwise be ignored, and challenges many of the tenets that underpin both the mainstream and heterodox interpretation of how economies function. Published Collective Bargaining and Gender Equality Jane Pillinger and Nora Wintour The Economy’s Other Half James Heintz The Sex Economy Monica O’Connor COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND GENDER EQUALITY Jane Pillinger and Nora Wintour We dedicate this book to our sisters © Jane Pillinger and Nora Wintour 2019 This book is copyright under the Berne Convention. No reproduction without permission. All rights reserved. First published in 2019 by Agenda Publishing Agenda Publishing Limited The Core Bath Lane Newcastle Helix Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TF www.agendapub.com ISBN 978-1-78821-076-8 British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Typeset by JS Typesetting Ltd, Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan Printed and bound in the UK by Short Run Press Ltd, Exeter, Devon Contents Acknowledgements vii Acronyms ix Foreword by Series Editors xv 1. Introduction 1 2. The gender dimensions of collective bargaining 9 3. Collective bargaining as a tool for gender equality: evidence from across the world 35 4.
    [Show full text]
  • The European Commissioner for Trade in 2010-2014 (Barroso II Commission) Cecilia Malmström
    Торговельна політика ЄС Що Карел залишає Сесилії? Роберт Хорольський, к.ю.н., радник Юридичної фірми «ОМП» 24 вересня 2014 року, м. Київ Karel De Gucht • Born 1954, a Belgian politician • Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE), liberal • In 2009-2010, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid (Barroso I Commission) • The European Commissioner for Trade in 2010-2014 (Barroso II Commission) Cecilia Malmström • Born 1968, a Swedish politician • Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE), liberal • In 2010-2014, European Commissioner for Home Affairs (Barroso II Commission) • The European Commissioner for Trade in 2014-2019 (Juncker Commission) European Commissioners for Trade since 1957 Jean Rey Belgium 1957–1962 Hallstein Commission I 1962–1967 Hallstein Commission II Jean-François Deniau France 1968–1970 Rey Commission Ralf Dahrendorf W.Germany 1970–1972 Malfatti Commission 1972–1973 Mansholt Commission Christopher Soames UK 1973–1977 Ortoli Commission Wilhelm Haferkamp W.Germany 1977–1981 Jenkins Commission 1981–1985 Thorn Commission Willy De Clercq Belgium 1985–1988 Delors Commission I Frans Andriessen Netherlands 1989–1992 Delors Commission II Leon Brittan UK 1993–1995 Delors Commission III 1995–1999 Santer Commission Pascal Lamy France 1999–2004 Prodi Commission Danuta Hübner Poland 2004 Prodi Commission Peter Mandelson UK 2004–2008 Barroso Commission I Catherine Ashton UK 2008–2009 Barroso Commission I Benita Ferrero-Waldner Austria 2009–2010 Barroso Commission I Karel De Gucht Belgium
    [Show full text]
  • The Bank of the European Union (Sabine Tissot) the Authors Do Not Accept Responsibility for the 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 Translations
    The book is published and printed in Luxembourg by 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 15, rue du Commerce – L-1351 Luxembourg 3 (+352) 48 00 22 -1 5 (+352) 49 59 63 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 U [email protected] – www.ic.lu The history of the European Investment Bank cannot would thus mobilise capital to promote the cohesion be dissociated from that of the European project of the European area and modernise the economy. 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 The EIB yesterday and today itself or from the stages in its implementation. First These initial objectives have not been abandoned. (cover photographs) broached during the inter-war period, the idea of an 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 The Bank’s history symbolised by its institution for the financing of major infrastructure in However, today’s EIB is very different from that which 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 successive headquarters’ buildings: Europe resurfaced in 1949 at the time of reconstruction started operating in 1958. The Europe of Six has Mont des Arts in Brussels, and the Marshall Plan, when Maurice Petsche proposed become that of Twenty-Seven; the individual national 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 Place de Metz and Boulevard Konrad Adenauer the creation of a European investment bank to the economies have given way to the ‘single market’; there (West and East Buildings) in Luxembourg. Organisation for European Economic Cooperation. has been continuous technological progress, whether 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 • 1958-2008 in industry or financial services; and the concerns of The creation of the Bank was finalised during the European citizens have changed.
    [Show full text]
  • The New Political Economy of Trade: Understanding the Treatment of Non-Tariff Measures in European Union Trade Policy
    The London School of Economics and Political Science The New Political Economy of Trade: Understanding the Treatment of Non-Tariff Measures in European Union Trade Policy Elitsa Garnizova A thesis submitted to the Department of International Relations of the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, November 2018 Page 1 of 324 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/ PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me, and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 115,854 words; 99,109 excluding Table of Contents, Bibliography and Appendices. Statement of use of third party for editorial help I can confirm that Chapter 1 was copy edited for conventions of language, spelling, and grammar by Bregtje Kamphuis, and Chapters 2 and 3 were edited by Dr Marina Cino-Pagliarello. Page 2 of 324 Abstract Non-tariff measures have become a central topic to the debate of how international trade rules and domestic regulatory choices are to co-exist.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Economic and Monetary Union
    Dear Reader, Ahead of the Referendum on the European Union I am compiling a series of fact sheets covering various topics of interest to constituents to allow for a more informed decision when it comes to making your decision to stay in or leave the EU. For further information, visit www.juliegirling.com Julie Girling MEP History of economic and monetary union Economic and monetary union (EMU) is the result of progressive economic integration in the EU. It is an expansion of the EU single market, with common product regulations and free movement of goods, capital, labour and services. A common currency, the euro, has been introduced in the eurozone, which currently comprises 19 EU Member States. All 28 EU Member States — with the exception of the UK and Denmark — must adopt the euro after a minimum of two years’ participation in ERM II and fulfilment of the convergence criteria. A single monetary policy is set by the European Central Bank (ECB) and is complemented by harmonised fiscal and coordinated economic policies. Within EMU there is no single institution responsible for economic policy. Instead, the responsibility is divided between Member States and various EU institutions. Legal basis Decisions of the European Summits of The Hague (1969), Paris (1972), Brussels (1978), Hanover (1988), Madrid and Strasbourg (both 1989), and Maastricht (1991-1992); Articles 119-144, 219 and 282-284 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU); Protocols annexed to the TFEU on: the transition to the third stage of economic and monetary union; the excessive deficit and macroeconomic imbalances procedures; the convergence criteria; the opt-out clauses for the United Kingdom and Denmark; and the European System of Central Banks and the European Central Bank, as well as the Eurogroup Objectives EMU is the result of progressive economic integration, and is therefore not an end in itself.
    [Show full text]
  • Colfer Phd Final Submitted 04.12.18 Trade Union Influence Under
    This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Politics and International Studies. Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, December 2017 i Declaration This dissertation is the result of my own work and includes nothing which is the outcome of work done in collaboration except as declared in the Preface and specified in the text. It is not substantially the same as any that I have submitted, or, is being concurrently submitted for a degree or diploma or other qualification at the University of Cambridge or any other university or similar institution except as specified in the text. I further state that no substantial part of my dissertation has already been submitted, or, is being concurrently submitted for any such degree, diploma or other qualification at the University of Cambridge or any other university or similar institution. It does not exceed the prescribed word limit. i There's a simple doctrine: outside of a person's love, the most sacred thing that they can give is their labour. And somehow or another along the way, we tend to forget that. Labour is a very precious thing that you have. Anytime that you can combine labour with love, you've made a good merger. -James Carville ii Acknowledgements I want to thank the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the University of Cambridge Home and European Scholarship Scheme (CHESS), Pembroke College, the estate of the late Professor Monica Partridge, and the Cambridge Political Economy Society for their generous funding and support throughout my doctoral research. I also want to thank the European Trade Union Institute and the American College of Athens, especially Professor Eleni Patra, for supporting me during fieldwork in Brussels and Athens respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Maes Cover.Indd 1 19/06/2004 22:58:47 EUI Working Paper RSCAS No
    EUI WORKING PAPERS RSCAS No. 2004/01 Macroeconomic and Monetary Thought at the European Commission in the 1960s Ivo Maes EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies Pierre Werner Chair on European Monetary Union Maes Cover.indd 1 19/06/2004 22:58:47 EUI Working Paper RSCAS No. 2004/01 Ivo Maes, Macroeconomic and Monetary Thought at the European Commission in the 1960s The Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies carries out disciplinary and interdisciplinary research in the areas of European integration and public policy in Europe. It hosts the annual European Forum. Details of this and the other research of the centre can be found on: http://www.iue.it/RSCAS/Research/. Research publications take the form of Working Papers, Policy Papers, Distinguished Lectures and books. Most of these are also available on the RSCAS website: http://www.iue.it/RSCAS/Publications/. The EUI and the RSCAS are not responsible for the opinion expressed by the author(s). EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, FLORENCE ROBERT SCHUMAN CENTRE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES Macroeconomic and Monetary Thought at the European Commission in the 1960s IVO MAES EUI Working Paper RSCAS No. 2004/01 BADIA FIESOLANA, SAN DOMENICO DI FIESOLE (FI) All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing from the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies. Download and print of the electronic edition for teaching or research non commercial use is permitted on fair use grounds—one readable copy per machine and one printed copy per page.
    [Show full text]
  • Avtalsrörelsen Och Lönebildningen 2020
    Avtalsrörelsen och lönebildningen 2020 • Avtalsrörelsen AvtalsrörelsenAvtalsrörelsen ochoch lönebildningenlönebildningen 20202020 Medlingsinstitutets årsrapport MedlingsinstitutetsMedlingsinstitutets årsrapportårsrapport Medlingsinstitutet Swedish National Mediation Office Box 1236 111 82 Stockholm www.mi.se Tel 08- 545 292 40 E-post: [email protected] Avtalsrörelsen och lönebildningen 2020 Medlingsinstitutets årsrapport ISSN 1650-8823 Medlingsinstitutet Swedish National Mediation Office Avtalsrörelsen och lönebildningen År 2020 Medlingsinstitutets årsrapport Medlingsinstitutet Box 1236 111 82 Stockholm Telefon: 08-545 292 40 Webbplats: www.mi.se Avtalsrörelsen och lönebildningen År 2020 Medlingsinstitutets årsrapport Grafiskt produktionsstöd: Forma Viva, Linköping Tryck: Stibo Graphic, Helsingborg 2021 Omslagsfoton: Shutterstock ISSN 1650-8823 Medlingsinstitutet Medlingsinstitutet är en myndighet under Arbetsmarknadsdepartementet och har tre huvuduppgifter: … att verka för en väl fungerande lönebildning. … att ansvara för medling i arbetskonflikter. … att vara statistikansvarig myndighet för den officiella lönestatistiken. Medlingsinstitutet publicerar varje år en rapport om avtalsrörelsen och lönebildningen. Detta är den tjugonde rapporten, den första publicerades i februari 2002. Redaktör för årsrapporten är Bosse Andersson. För texterna står Peter Beijron, John Ekberg, Per Ewaldsson, Anna Fransson, Petter Hällberg och Christian Kjellström. Kapitel 17 om organisations grad och kollektivavtalens utbredning har skrivits av professor Anders Kjellberg
    [Show full text]
  • Getting It in Proportion?
    Getting it in Proportion? Trade unions and electoral reform Contents Foreword 4 1 Introduction and background 6 2 Is there a case for change? 9 3 Different electoral systems 17 4 The practicalities of change 23 5 Conclusion 25 6 Voices on electoral reform 27 References 29 2 TOUCHSTONE EXTRAS Getting it in Proportion? This report has been prepared by the TUC as a discussion paper for the trade union movement. Getting it in Proportion? This Touchstone Extra pamphlet sets out the arguments for and against changing Britain’s electoral system. It puts the debate in context by summarising the political and historical background against which our democracy has developed, examines how well the existing system works and looks at possible reasons for change. It describes the various alternative electoral systems, discusses the practicalities of change and concludes with a useful comparison of different systems and their advantages and disadvantages. It is not intended to draw any final conclusion about whether or not electoral reform is needed, but rather to be used as a starting point for further debate. Touchstone Extra These new online pamphlets are designed to complement the TUC’s influential Touchstone Pamphlets by looking in more detail at specific areas of policy debate raised in the series. Touchstone Extra publications are not statements of TUC policy but instead are designed, like the wider Touchstone Pamphlets series, to inform and stimulate debate. The full series can be downloaded at www.tuc.org.uk/touchstonepamphlets TOUCHSTONE EXTRAS Getting it in Proportion? 3 Foreword Brendan Barber At our 2009 Congress, delegates voted in support of a motion calling on the TUC to stimulate debate about electoral reform for Westminster elections.
    [Show full text]