POD New European Industrial Relations (NEIRE)

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 expert. 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 Make the Difference Here!”.