EU: collective bargaining in decline in many countries (study)

Between 2000 and 2017, the level of collective bargaining coverage in European countries declined from 70% to 60%, a report published on 16 February by UNI Europa reveals. According to the report by the European services workers union, this decline is due partly to cross-industrial collective bargaining being transformed into straightforward consultation in countries such as Slovakia, Slovenia, Greece, Ireland and Romania. The trend is also the result of the weakening of national-level negotiations, which has been replaced in some countries by regional or company-level negotiations. In Romania, the state has tightened the representativity criteria for trade unions and thus limited their ability to negotiate. The decline is particularly marked there, as well as in Slovakia and Greece. As collective bargaining ensures a better level of wages for workers (see article n°12808 on minimum wages), we see an increase in inequality in countries where the level of collective bargaining coverage has fallen. Conversely, in countries where the rate has remained stable, such as Austria, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands, the level of inequality has experienced limited change. UNI Europa therefore calls for policies to promote collective bargaining, such as encouraging cross-industry social dialogue and union membership, as well as strengthening labour inspectorates.