To the reader

In an integrating and enlarging Europe collective bargaining also gradually evolves as the sum of many factors.

As part of the common monetary policy, the European Central Bank (ECB) manages money market stability and the progress of inflation. The Central Bank, governments and employers increasingly refer to the demands of monetary policy when seeking to limit rises in pay and labour costs.

Business life in industry and services is becoming increasingly centralised. International enterprise mergers and acquisitions are daily events. It is natural for personnel administrators to compare benefits and labour costs in the various divisions of multinational enterprises. The same is done by elected employee representatives through their own networks and European Works Councils (EWC). There are signs of gradual harmonisation within enterprises, with some benefits now included in the discussion.

The idea of co-ordinating collective bargaining is gaining ground in European trade union co-operation. Although the metal and engineering industry has taken the lead in this process, the European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers’ Federation - EMCEF has also recently begun to work in this field. It is now easy to envisage a point in the future when unions will begin to consider adopting common bargaining objectives.

The strength of the trade union movement both now and in the future will depend on its ability to organise employees, to negotiate collective agreements and to resolve any disputes that arise. Internationalisation of enterprises is adding a new European and global dimension to our work.

To respond to these challenges, trade unions need precise information about working conditions in other European countries and the ability to understand various systems. Our common project serves this purpose.

This study by trade union consultant Jyrki Raina covers the legislation of Finland and six countries selected to facilitate comparison, focusing on the basic norms of collective agreements in the paper, chemical and energy industries. The six countries are the euro zone countries Germany, France and Italy, plus Britain and Sweden - that have so far remained outside the euro zone, and Norway as a State that has not joined the European Union.

In the final chapter the researcher describes the challenges facing the new Europe. The trade unions will seek to meet these challenges by adjusting their working methods and structure.

Helsinki, 12 May 2003

Jarmo Lähteenmäki
President of the Paperworkers’ Union

Timo Vallittu
President of the Chemical Workers’ Union

Lauri Lyly
President of the Finnish Electrical Workers’ Union