Chapter 11: Danish tripartite negotiations and European social pacts: An asynchronous story
In 2016 the Danish social partners initiated tripartite negotiations, spanning several topics - so-called ‘broad tripartite negotiations' or ‘social pacts’. The chapter 'Danish tripartite negotiations and European social pacts: An asynchronous story' puts Danish tripartite cooperation in a comparative context. While such broad tripartite negotiations were formerly very widespread in Europe, they have not been so in Denmark. In the 25 years from 1985 to 2010, there was only one broad tripartite agreement concluded.
In recent years we have seen fewer social pacts around Europe, and especially in the period after the economic crisis began in 2008 they have been few. It seems that especially the trade unions not to the same extent as previously are perceived by the governments as relevant to strike tripartite agreements with anymore. It may be because the agenda in many countries have taken the form of policies 'economic necessity' without room for substantial political exchanges in return for austerity measures. However, it may also be because the trade unions in many cases are so weak that they cannot any longer push governments and employers for concessions. Nor do they represent sufficient part of the employees that it benefits governments to involve them in major reforms.
Whatever the explanation for the European development is, it is remarkable that we in 2016 saw the second Danish attempt to conclude a broad tripartite agreement after the economic crisis. Apparently, successive Danish governments consider it still as relevant to conclude agreements with labor organizations. The Danish trade union movement is also - in spite of declining membership - among the strongest in Europe. Moreover, the agenda for this year's negotiations shows that there is room for real political exchanges with the trade unions.