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In the private sector as well as in the public sector, relations between employers, trade unions, and employees in Europe are rapidly changing (Gennard, 2009; Stuart & Martínez-Lucio, 2005). This is due to globalization processes, increased competition, evolving demands for public services, high demand for innovation in processes and products, new technologies, and a highly diverse work force (Munduate & Medina, 2009; Van Emmerik & Euwema, 2008). In addition, there is an increasing focus on working methods, management and changing strategies in both sectors. European governments, employers and unions have agreed to be more ambitious and aim to become an innovative economy capable of competing in the global market. To achieve this goal, it is important that Europe has a flexible labour market and a ‘Flexible Regulation’ (Martínez-Lucio & Stuart, 2005). This overall goal is reflected in changes in the day-to-day relations between employers, unions, and employees (Martínez-Lucio & Weston, 2004)
The European comparative analysis of the different Industrial Relations systems, and of their effects on social agents and society itself, allows us to pre-empt the changes brought about in other countries, and to learn from their successes as well as from their errors. As a result of this process, the Research Network NEIRE (New European Industrial Relations) is being established. It will be made up of the partner organisations involved in, and in charge of Research on Industrial Relations in Europe, in order to put into practice improvement strategies through knowledge transfer and action plans which are more efficient for society.
Dialogue At Work is funded by
Recent publications
11-5-2012 - "Ten Steps for Empowering Employee Representatives in the NEIRE" published
The handbook "Ten Steps for Empowering Employee Representatives in the New European Industrial Relations" has been published in printed and e-book format. Relations between employers, trade unions, and employees in Europe are rapidly changing. New competitive demands for organizations, the globalization process and economic turbulence, new technologies and growing diversity in work forces are leading to new organizational conflicts in which Employee Representatives (ERs) play a central role. ERs are confronted with new challenges. The European Commission and the Spanish Government value innovative social dialogue and the role of the ERs, therefore stimulated this project to empower ERs in Europe. How should the ERs be empowered to negotiate flexible, fair and innovative labour relations? This was the central question addressed in the study carried out by the ‘New European Industrial Relations’ (NEIRE) network, in which researchers from eight European countries conducted three different field studies (questionnaires, interviews and panels) with ERs and other field experts. The participant countries represent different industrial relations traditions in Europe. These countries are: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. Based on these studies, a Best Practices Program (BPP) for empowering ERs is presented in this book. The BPP involves ten steps: · Flexibility: a Dragon with Multiple Heads · Employability: the Art of Being Capable · Corporate Social Responsibility: Not Only a Fashion Trend · Participation and Dialogue: Engagement in a Context of Change · Trust: As Essential as Breathing · Managing Conflicts: Blending Competition and Cooperation · Critical Competencies for an Innovative Union · Attraction and Commitment: Understanding ERs Individual Perceptions and Differences · Role Conflict and Stress: Juggling Hats · Empowering Employee Representatives: “We can the Difference make here!” ISBN: 978-84-481-8266-3
22-9-2011 - I New European Industrial Relations (NEIRE) Workshop
“Empowering European employee representatives to negotiate flexible, fair and innovative labour relations” Sponsored by the European Commission (Employment, social affairs and inclusion DG), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Andalusia Council of Labour Relations, we are organizaing the I New European Industrial Relations (NEIRE) Workshop. In this European Workshop the results from the NEIRE project and main practical suggestions for employee representatives will be discussed. The Workshop will take place in Seville, Spain, on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th November 2011. Please find attached the Workshop Programme. Thursday the 24th morning the activities will be carrying on in Spanish as it is a joint-activity with the Andalusian Council of Labour Relations. Thursday the 24th in the afternoon and Friday the 25th all activities will be in English. To confirm your participation in the workshop and for any further information, please contact the workshop coordinator, Patricia Elgoibar (patriciaelgoibar@gmail.com). Looking forward to welcoming you in Seville!
