The Revival of Multi-Employer Bargaining - An International Debate

Abstract

In recent years, the OECD and the European Union have highlighted the potential of multi- employer bargaining for producing fair wages, inclusive labour markets, increased productivity, and economic growth. This is a paradigmatic shift compared to policy recommendations and political reforms since the 1980s. The shift is driven by new research insights in what multi- employer bargaining can deliver as well as a response to economic and political change. I will discuss four dimensions of multi-employer bargaining that are decisive to achieve fair wages, inclusive labour markets and higher productivity. First, bargaining level and the importance of articulation between enterprise level and sector/national level to secure minimum standards across companies. Second, the coverage of bargaining and the role of extension mechanisms to enhance coverage. Third, bargaining co-ordination and the potential of linking bargaining across different sectors to secure both fair wages and the competitiveness of business. Fourth, the degree of flexibility in agreements to secure adaptations to individual workplaces.

Speaker

Søren Kaj Andersen is Head of FAOS, Employment Relations Research Centre. FAOS is located within the Department of Sociology at University of Copenhagen and is mainly funded by trade unions, employer associations and the state.

Søren Kaj Andersen’s main research focus is the renewal of collective bargaining agreements, how multi-employer bargaining systems change or remain stable and the role of employers and trade unions in these processes. This include changes and developments within and between employer’s associations and trade unions. His research has a national as well as an international dimension. National as FAOS focuses on the Danish employment relations system – i.e. multi- employer bargaining and the relations between employers’ associations and trade unions. Thus, his research is rooted in Danish labor market regulation and the dissemination of this research to academics, decision-makers and the public. Søren Kaj Andersen also publish articles and books internationally and collaborate with foreign researchers in a number of different areas. He has participated in a large number of Nordic as well as European research projects. In recent years, he has also collaborated with Australian colleagues. This cooperation gained momentum when Søren Kaj Andersen and his Australian colleagues successfully applied to University of Copenhagen and the University of Sydney for the so-called Partnership Collaboration Award.