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Trade unions and the sovereign power of the state. A comparative analysis of employer offensives in the Danish and Irish public sectors

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  • Imre Szabó

    (University College Dublin, Geary Institute and School of Business, Ireland)

Abstract

The changing composition of trade unions has far-reaching consequences for the relationship between unions and the polity. In particular, the concentration of trade union membership in the public sector – a process that has been taking place in most EU countries – implies a shift away from collective agreements towards legislation as the dominant way of managing employment relations. Pluralist models of collective bargaining assume a neutral, mediating role of the state, but in the public sector the state by definition acts as an employer as well. The state is equipped with the sovereign power to circumvent traditional bargaining agreements and force its will upon trade unions through legislation. The article investigates major bargaining disputes in Europe after 2008, focusing on two countries (Ireland and Denmark) that have different political environments and that, although affected differently by the financial crisis, underwent similar government interventions in labour relations. The findings suggest that a shift towards legislation is a tendency that affects all types of industrial relations systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Imre Szabó, 2018. "Trade unions and the sovereign power of the state. A comparative analysis of employer offensives in the Danish and Irish public sectors," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 24(2), pages 163-178, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:24:y:2018:i:2:p:163-178
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258918762077
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mikkel Mailand, 2014. "Austerity measures and municipalities: the case of Denmark," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 20(3), pages 417-430, August.
    2. Michael Doherty, 2011. "It must have been love ... but it’s over now: the crisis and collapse of social partnership in Ireland," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 17(3), pages 371-385, August.
    3. Roland Erne, 2013. "Let’s accept a smaller slice of a shrinking cake. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Irish public sector unions in crisis," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 19(3), pages 425-430, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Donato Di Carlo & Christian Lyhne Ibsen & Oscar Molina, 2024. "The new political economy of public sector wage-setting in Europe: Introduction to the special issue," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 30(1), pages 5-30, March.
    2. Alan Eustace, 2024. "Dancing at the crossroads: Lessons from Ireland on collective labour law reform," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(4), pages 303-325, July.

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    1. Alan Eustace, 2024. "Dancing at the crossroads: Lessons from Ireland on collective labour law reform," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(4), pages 303-325, July.

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