Susan Hayter

Jelle Visser

Collective bargaining involves a process of negotiation between one or more unions and an employer or employers' organisation(s). The outcome is a collective agreement that defines terms of employment - typically wages, working hours and in-work benefits. The agreement affords labour protection: minimum wages, regular earnings; limits on working hours and predictable work schedules; safe working environments; parental leave and sick leave; and a fair share in the benefits of increased productivity. The International Labour Organization (ILO) Collective Agreements Recommendation 1951 (No. 91) considers, where appropriate and having regard to national practice, that measures should be taken to extend the application of all or some provisions of a collective agreement to all employers and workers included wthin the domain of the agreement. The extension of a collective agreement generalises the terms and conditions of employment, agreed between organised firms and workers, represented through their association(s) and union(s), to the non-organised firms within a sector, occupation or territory. The collection of chapters in this volume are about the extension of collective agreements as an act of public policy.

Extending Labour Protection

Collective Agreements

Wolfgang Streeck

Volker Schneider

Jurgen Grote

In the current period of globalization, Governing Interests presents new research on the impact of internationalization on the organization and representation of business interests through trade and employer associations. By exploring ongoing, gradual, but nevertheless profound changes in the structures and functions of business interest associations, the book develops a precise understanding of the relationship between the national and the international. Both conceptual and empirical, some papers included in this significant volume adopt a ‘bird's eye view’ of the topic, whilst others concentrate on individual industries or countries, and several, through examination and analysis, consider the effects on interest representation and the repercussions on effective governance. Contributed to and edited by leading academics, the diversity of research questions and methods used in this volume provide the reader with an excellent understanding of the subject and, importantly, caution against rash simplifications. Comprehensive and scholarly, this text will be of particular relevance to political scientists and sociologists.

Business Associations Facing Internationalism

Governing Interests

Anton Hemerijck

The Dutch polder model- recently dubbed a "success story" by Bill Clinton and Jacques Delors - plays a prominent role in current discussions about possibilities for a new "capitalism with a social face", and appeals to experts all over the world. Just ten years ago the Swedish sociologist Göran Therborn described the Dutch employment policy as a "spectacular failure". The authors single out three policy changes to explain the "miracle" that has taken place since then. The "Dutch miracle" shows that it is difficult but not impossible to overcome the drawbacks of the welfare state and that in this age of globalization and integration, it remains necessary to coordinate policy on a national level as well. In the last section the authors investigate the dynamics of social-economic policy which will have to be developed under increasingly stringent international conditions.

Job Growth, Welfare Reform and Corporatism in the Netherlands

A Dutch Miracle

Jelle Visser

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