DOCSLIB.ORG

German and British Labour Law in a European Context Following European Union Enlargement — Rebecca Zahn

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
German and British Labour Law in a European Context Following European Union Enlargement — Rebecca Zahn European Trade Union Institute Bd du Roi Albert II, 5 1210 Brussels Belgium Tel.: +32 (0)2 224 04 70 Fax: +32 (0)2 224 05 02 [email protected] www.etui.org ..................................................................................................................................... German and British labour law in a European context following European Union enlargement — Rebecca Zahn ..................................................................................................................................... Report 126 D/2013/10.574/02 € 15 ISBN: 978-2-87452-281-9 German and British labour law in a European context following European Union enlargement — Rebecca Zahn Report 126 european trade union institute Dr Rebecca Zahn is Lecturer in Law at the University of Stirling. The author would like to thank the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES) for their generous financial support towards conducting the case studies. Brussels, 2013 © Publisher: ETUI aisbl, Brussels All rights reserved Print: ETUI printshop, Brussels D/2013/10.574/02 ISBN 978-2-87452-281-9 (print version) ISBN 978-2-87452-282-6 (pdf version) The ETUI is financially supported by the European Union. The European Union is not responsible for any use made of the information contained in this publication. Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 5 1. The ‘new’ Member States and the challenges of enlargement ................................ 7 2. The legal framework – the transitional measures ......................................................... 9 3. The effects of European enlargement .............................................................................. 12 4. The national context ............................................................................................................... 17 4.1 United Kingdom ......................................................................................................................... 17 4.2 Germany ........................................................................................................................................ 19 5. Trade unions and migrant workers ................................................................................... 24 6. The European influence ......................................................................................................... 30 7. The case studies ........................................................................................................................ 33 7.1 UNISON ......................................................................................................................................... 34 7.1.1 Responses to enlargement and the transitional arrangements ................................ 35 7.1.2 Responses to new Member State workers ........................................................................ 35 7.2 Ver.di .............................................................................................................................................. 39 7.2.1 Responses to enlargement and the transitional arrangements ................................ 40 7.2.2 Responses to new Member State workers ........................................................................ 42 7.3 Level of cooperation ................................................................................................................. 44 7.3.1 Ver.di – UNISON ........................................................................................................................ 44 7.3.2 Within and through the ETUC ............................................................................................... 45 7.4 Analysis in the context of national legal frameworks .................................................. 47 7.4.1 UNISON ......................................................................................................................................... 47 7.4.2 Ver.di .............................................................................................................................................. 50 7.5 The European influence ........................................................................................................... 52 8. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 56 References ................................................................................................................................................ 57 Report 126 3 German and British labour law in a European context following European Union enlargement Introduction This report examines and compares German and British trade union responses, in a European context, to the European Union enlargements in 2004 and 2007 which are unprecedented in the history of the European Union. The report is based on research carried out between 2007 and 2010 for a PhD thesis at the University of Edinburgh. It outlines a comparison of the responses of German and British trade unions to the challenges posed by the recent European enlargements, in particular the arrival of new Member State workers and the impact that they have had on trade unions in those countries. Germany and the UK were chosen primarily for the reason that their trade unions are facing similar problems following the recent European enlargements. They are both suffering from a decline in membership and a loss of influence in collective relations. In addition, trade unions in the two countries are adopting similar roles within their respective national labour law systems, as they respond to the problems which they are facing. Unions in both Germany and the UK are struggling to find ways to deal with the consequences of the recent European enlargements and, in particular, the arrival of new Member State workers. Their responses to these problems are producing different outcomes and it is argued that, given the similar problems which trade unions in both countries are facing, they could learn from each other's experiences and would benefit from a comparison. In terms of method, the report combines an analysis of law and policy in theory and in practice through an examination of the relevant literature with a focus on specific trade unions in order to provide a thorough examination of how trade unions are responding within their legal systems to the challenges of European enlargement. This allows for a determination of how trade unions can use law and the opportunities that law has to offer them to better respond to changing regulatory and opportunity structures existing at a national and European level and to successfully integrate migrants into their host labour markets following the European enlargements. Report 126 5 German and British labour law in a European context following European Union enlargement 1. The ‘new’ Member States and the challenges of enlargement In terms of labour law, a majority of the ten Central and Eastern European countries which acceded to the EU in 2004 and 2007 display a combination of weak domestic labour protection systems with a high proportion of workers and enterprises keen to take advantage of their free movement rights under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). In addition, these countries have attracted large amounts of foreign direct investment, largely as a result of two main characteristics: on the one hand, favourable industrialisa tion legacies, skill structures and a stable institutional environment; on the other hand, low wage levels and collective agreement coverage as compared to Western Europe. The Central and Eastern European labour law systems have undergone a process of enormous change since the end of the Cold War. Bronstein (2006: 194) explains that ‘at the downfall of communism labour laws in all of these countries shared a number of patterns that related closely to the nature of the political and economic system.’ Thus, labour law was structured around ‘the assumption that the overwhelming pattern of employment was based on a subordinated, permanent and full-time employment relationship, and that the work was mainly organised within the framework of large production units or large administration’ (Bronstein 2006: 194). However, by far the biggest difference between the labour law systems of Central and Eastern Europe and those of Western Europe could be seen in the field of collective labour relations. Thus, ‘the shared pattern in Central Europe was the single-union structure. Union membership was quasi-compulsory, indeed necessary, for workers, given that unions were entrusted with the admin istration of a very large share of the welfare system’ (Bronstein 2006: 194). As a result, unions were meant to ‘act primarily as a mechanism for transmitting and implementing policies and decisions taken by the state-party structure’ (Bronstein 2006: 194). Since then the Central and Eastern European labour law systems have been subject to a wave of reforms designed to enrich the content of labour law and to liberalise industrial relations so as to establish: ‘collective representation and collective bargaining structures [which reflect] the prevailing industry-based patterns in Western Europe. […] It should be observed, however, that such an approach has not yet been confirmed in practice, as in most Central
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1 Title the Meta-Regulation of European Industrial Relations
    This is a repository copy of The meta-regulation of European industrial relations: : Power shifts, institutional dynamics and the emergence of regulatory competition among Member States. White Rose Research Online URL for this paper: https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/98058/ Version: Submitted Version Article: Papadopoulos, Theodoros and Roumpakis, Antonios orcid.org/0000-0003-1195-7089 (2013) The meta-regulation of European industrial relations: : Power shifts, institutional dynamics and the emergence of regulatory competition among Member States. International Labour Review. pp. 255-274. ISSN 1564-913X https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1564-913X.2013.00180.x Reuse Items deposited in White Rose Research Online are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved unless indicated otherwise. They may be downloaded and/or printed for private study, or other acts as permitted by national copyright laws. The publisher or other rights holders may allow further reproduction and re-use of the full text version. This is indicated by the licence information on the White Rose Research Online record for the item. Takedown If you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing [email protected] including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. [email protected] https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ Title The meta-regulation of European industrial relations: Power shifts, institutional dynamics and the emergence of regulatory competition among Member States’, International Labour Review, paper accepted, 2013 Authors (alphabetical order) Dr T.Papadopoulos* and Dr A.Roumpakis** Abstract The article comprises three parts.
    [Show full text]
  • Employment & Labour
    EEmploymentmployment & LabourLabour LLawaw 2018 Sixth Edition Contributing Editors: Charles Wynn-Evans & Emma Byford GLOBAL LEGAL INSIGHTS – EMPLOYMENT & LABOUR LAW 2018, SIXTH EDITION Contributing Editors Charles Wynn-Evans and Emma Byford, Dechert LLP Production Editor Andrew Schofi eld Senior Editors Suzie Levy Caroline Collingwood Group Consulting Editor Alan Falach Publisher Rory Smith We are extremely grateful for all contributions to this edition. Special thanks are reserved for Charles Wynn-Evans and Emma Byford for all their assistance. Published by Global Legal Group Ltd. 59 Tanner Street, London SE1 3PL, United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 367 0720 / URL: www.glgroup.co.uk Copyright © 2017 Global Legal Group Ltd. All rights reserved No photocopying ISBN 978-1-911367-87-1 ISSN 2050-2117 This publication is for general information purposes only. It does not purport to provide comprehensive full legal or other advice. Global Legal Group Ltd. and the contributors accept no responsibility for losses that may arise from reliance upon information contained in this publication. This publication is intended to give an indication of legal issues upon which you may need advice. Full legal advice should be taken from a qualifi ed professional when dealing with specifi c situations. The information contained herein is accurate as of the date of publication. Printed and bound by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY December 2017 CONTENTS Preface Charles Wynn-Evans and Emma Byford, Dechert LLP Angola Sandra Lima da Silveira & Inês Nobre, Cuatrecasas 1 Armenia Sedrak Asatryan, Janna Simonyan & Ani Varderesyan, Concern Dialog law fi rm 8 Australia Leon Levine, Dan Williams & Gordon Williams, MinterEllison 12 Austria Hans Georg Laimer & Lukas Wieser, zeiler.partners Rechtsanwälte GmbH 23 Brazil Luis Antonio Ferraz Mendes, Mauricio Froes Guidi & Adolpho Julio C.
    [Show full text]
  • The Global Employer
    The Global Employer Focus on Germany The Global Employer: Focus on Germany | 1 The purpose of this booklet is to provide a summary of the laws and procedures applicable to anyone who enters Germany and takes up employment. It does not explore all issues in detail. The law is correct as of 1 January 2015. 2 | The Global Employer: Focus on Germany Contents Governing Rules ........................................................ 5 Employment Related Immigration to Germany ..................5 German Labour Law ............................................................5 German Social Security System ..........................................5 Immigration Requirements ....................................... 6 General Rules ......................................................................6 Administrative Steps to Obtain a Residence and Work Permit ..................................................................7 Requirements to Obtain a Residence and Work Permit ..................................................................8 Foreigners Already Established in Germany ......................8 Terms of Employment ............................................... 9 Form of the Employment Agreement .................................9 Language Requirements .....................................................9 Standard Employment Terms .............................................9 Fixed-Term Employment Contracts ..................................10 Part-Time Employment .....................................................11 Working Conditions
    [Show full text]
  • EUI Working Papers
    MAX WEBER PROGRAMME EUI Working Papers MWP 2011/04 MAX WEBER PROGRAMME GERMAN AND BRITISH TRADE UNIONS: PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES AFTER ENLARGEMENT Rebecca Zahn EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, FLORENCE MAX WEBER PROGRAMME German and British Trade Unions: Problems and Opportunities after Enlargement REBECCA ZAHN EUI Working Paper MWP 2011/04 This text may be downloaded for personal research purposes only. Any additional reproduction for other purposes, whether in hard copy or electronically, requires the consent of the author(s), editor(s). If cited or quoted, reference should be made to the full name of the author(s), editor(s), the title, the working paper or other series, the year, and the publisher. ISSN 1830-7728 © 2011 Rebecca Zahn Printed in Italy European University Institute Badia Fiesolana I – 50014 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI) Italy www.eui.eu cadmus.eui.eu Abstract This paper examines and compares German and British trade union responses in a European context following the recent European enlargements in 2004 and 2007, enlargements that are unprecedented in the history of the European Union. In particular, the paper undertakes a contextualized comparison of trade union behaviour in responding to the changing regulatory and opportunity structures which present themselves following the enlargements. Account is taken of the role that trade unions adopt within their national legal systems as well as of the effects of the European Union’s policy of Europeanisation on national trade unions. Keywords Trade unions, German Labour Law, British Labour Law, European Enlargement, Europeanisation. Introduction In recent years, trade unions in Germany and the UK have been struggling to react to changing regulatory and opportunity structures occurring within their national legal systems.
    [Show full text]
  • Germany 2016
    Germany 2016 1 EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers Directorate D — Equality Unit JUST/D1 European Commission B-1049 Brussels EUROPEAN COMMISSION Country report Gender equality How are EU rules transposed into national law? Germany Ulrike Lembke Reporting period 1 July 2015 – 1 April 2016 Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers 2016 Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union. Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you). LEGAL NOTICE This document has been prepared for the European Commission however it reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://www.europa.eu). Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2016 ISBN 978-92-79-47024-0 doi:10.2838/05447 DS-02-16-809-EN-N © European Union, 2016 Country report - Gender equality – Germany - 2016 Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 6 1.1 Basic structure of the national legal system .............................................. 6 1.2 List of main legislation transposing and implementing Directives ................. 6 2. General legal framework ................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • European Labour Law and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
    European labour law and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights — summary version — edited by Brian Bercusson EUROPEAN TRADE UNION INSTITUTE EUROPÄISCHES GEWERKSCHAFTSINSTITUT INSTITUT SYNDICAL EUROPÉEN Bld du Roi Albert II, 5 - box 4 ISBN 2-930352-09-04 ETUI B-1210 Brussels ETUI EGI Tel .: 00 32 (0)2 224 04 70 D/2002/3163/22 Fax : 00 32 (0)2 224 05 02 EGI ISE E-mail: [email protected] ISE http://www.etuc.org/etu i Price: 5,00 EUR European labour law and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights — summary version — edited by Brian Bercusson European labour law and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights — summary version — edited by Brian Bercusson With contributions by Brian Bercusson Thomas Blanke Niklas Bruun Stefan Clauwaert Antoine Jacobs Yota Kravaritou Isabelle Schömann Bruno Veneziani Christophe Vigneau European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) The summary presented here is based on an extensive commentary of those articles of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights that are of relevance to national and European labour law. The full version of this commentary, available in English only, may be ordered from the ETUI. Brussels, 2002 © Publisher: ETUI, Brussels All rights reserved D-2002-3163-22 ISBN: 2-930352-09-4 The ETUI is financially supported by the European Commission. Table of contents Foreword ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 1. Introduction. Interpreting the EU Charter in the context of the
    [Show full text]
  • WORKING TIME REGULATION German Team Report
    WORKING TIME REGULATION German Team Report EWL Students’ Conference in Strasbourg, 5-8 April, 2016 German Team European University Frankfurt (Oder) Beata Regina Stępień Felix Gartner Katja Maria Roland Thomas Rindler Prof. Dr. Eva Kocher Anna Heinen List of Contents 1. Sources of working time regulation in Germany ............................................................................ 4 1.1. EU directives ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.2. EU case law ............................................................................................................................. 4 1.3. National statutory labour law ................................................................................................ 4 1.4. National case law ................................................................................................................... 5 1.5. Collective private regulation .................................................................................................. 5 1.5.1. Collective agreements ...................................................................................................... 5 1.5.2. Works council agreements ............................................................................................... 5 1.6. Individual Contract ................................................................................................................. 5 1.7. Constitution and principles ...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Modernising Labour Law to Meet the Challenges of the 21St Century”
    Berlin/Bonn, 18 April 2007 IIIa4 – 39 456-8 Statement by the Federal Government on the European Commission’s Green Paper: “Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st century” Preliminary remark The purpose of the Green Paper on labour law is to launch a public debate on the need for and possibilities offered by the evolution of labour law. The Federal Government welcomes this and agrees with the Commission that flexibility and security must be weighed up against one another in an awareness of the responsibility which this entails. In view of the quickly-changing markets, this balance is also a precondition for employees' employment security. Germany shares the Commission’s view that developing the European Social Model is a vital element in the successful implementation of the Lisbon Strategy. This serves to improve the agreed cooperation on social issues, and can hence be regarded as a step to keep the promise made in the German Presidency Programme that “The debate on the European Social Model has to be fleshed out with concrete proposals”. The objective is to achieve sustainable growth with more and better jobs, to ensure social cohesion and in doing so to meet the challenges of competition stemming from global competition. The European Social Model is based on joint normative values which are guaranteed by treaty. Labour law forms part of these values. Citizens must be helped to gain a perception that labour law leads in concrete terms to fair, reasonable working conditions for workers in Europe. This can make a major contribution towards the acceptance of the EU among citizens and to the success of the European Constitution.
    [Show full text]
  • The Prohibition of Dismissal in Sweden and Germany
    FACULTY OF LAW Lund University Johanna Wagner The Prohibition of Dismissal in Sweden and Germany A Comparative Study of the Scope of Article 4.1 in the Transfers of Undertakings Directive JURM02 Graduate Thesis Graduate Thesis, Master of Laws program 30 higher education credits Supervisor: Mia Rönnmar Semester of Graduation: Period 1 Fall Semester 2018 Contents SUMMARY 4 SAMMANFATTNING 5 PREFACE 6 ABBREVIATIONS 7 1 INTRODUCTION 8 1.1 Topic and Background 8 1.2 Purpose and Research Questions 9 1.3 Current State of Research 9 1.4 Methods and Materials 10 1.5 Prohibition of Dismissal in Light of Flexicurity 14 1.6 Language and Terminology 15 1.7 Outline and Delimitations 16 2 THE EU DIMENSION 18 2.1 Regulation on Employment Protection 18 2.2 Regulation on Transfers of Undertakings 20 2.2.1 Core Elements of the Transfer Directive 20 2.2.1.1 Introduction 20 2.2.1.2 Aim 21 2.2.1.3 Partial Harmonisation 22 2.2.1.4 Scope and Application 23 2.2.1.5 Key Substantive Provisions 26 2.2.2 Prohibition of Dismissal in the Directive 27 2.2.2.1 Introduction 27 2.2.2.2 Extent of the Prohibition 27 2.2.2.3 Extent of the Exemption 30 2.3 Discussion 32 3 THE SWEDISH DIMENSION 33 3.1 Industrial Relations 33 3.2 Regulation on Employment Protection 34 3.2.1 Introduction 34 3.2.2 Requirement of Just Cause for Dismissal in Redundancy 36 2 3.2.3 Priority in Dismissal and Re-employment 38 3.3 Prohibition of Dismissal in LAS 40 3.3.1 Introduction 40 3.3.2 Extent of the Prohibition 42 3.3.3 Extent of the Exemption 46 3.4 Discussion 46 4 THE GERMAN DIMENSION 50 4.1
    [Show full text]
  • German and British Labour Law in a European Context Following European Union Enlargement
    GERMAN AND BRITISH LABOUR LAW IN A EUROPEAN CONTEXT FOLLOWING EUROPEAN UNION ENLARGEMENT Rebecca Lisa Zahn DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract 3 Acknowledgements 4 Declaration 5 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 6 CHAPTER TWO THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN GERMANY AND THE UK 24 A. Introduction 24 B. Spectrum of legal systems 27 C. Historical, economic, social and cultural context of British trade unions 29 D. Historical, economic, social and cultural context of German trade unions 39 E. The role of trade unions in Germany and the UK 45 1. UK 47 2. Germany 50 F. European dimension 54 G. Conclusion 57 CHAPTER THREE THE EUROPEANISATION OF GERMAN AND BRITISH LABOUR LAW 60 A. Introduction 60 B. Europeanisation 64 C. Example 1: European Labour Law 71 D. Example 2: Directives 73 E. Example 3: Movement towards soft law 85 F. Example 4: Case law 88 1. The Viking case 89 2. The Laval case 95 3. The Rüffert case 99 4. Analysis of the cases 102 G. Overall analysis of europeanisation and conclusion 107 CHAPTER FOUR TRADE UNIONS, MIGRANT WORKERS AND THE EUROPEAN UNION 113 A. Introduction 113 B. Unions and migrant labour 114 1. UK 117 2. Germany 121 C. Trade unions and the European Union 126 D. The European enlargements and the new Member State workers 128 E. Concluding Remarks 144 1 CHAPTER FIVE CASE STUDIES 148 A. Introduction 148 B. Case Study Methodology 149 C. UNISON 152 1. Responses to enlargement and the transitional arrangements 153 2. Responses to new Member State workers 154 D.
    [Show full text]