Nordic Metal Trade Unions on the Move: Responses to Globalization and Europeanization

Article by Søren Kaj Andersen

Looking at developments over the last decade it can be concluded that in spite of economical globalization, the opening of the European markets and rapid technological developments, the metal sector trade unions remain stable in the Nordic countries. The rate of unionisation in the Nordic metalworkers' unions stays exceptionally high compared to any other European region. The coverage of collective agreements is also intact and unemployment is by European standards low.

Nevertheless, it is in this article argued that the Nordic metal sector unions are facing a number of dilemmas. While their national positions are close to being stronger than ever, they all recognise that they need to engage more actively in international, and especially European level, policy-making, including co-ordination of bargaining processes. Still, the Nordic metal federations fear that European regulation can undermine their raison d'être - the bargaining of national collective agreements. They also recognise the need for co-operation among the Nordic metal federations with regard to European policies. However, basic differences in industrial structures and traditions of labour market regulation (collective agreements versus legislation), alongside differences in the Nordic countries' relationship to the EU and the EMU, represent barriers that may hinder closer co-operation between the Nordic metal federations. Moreover, a lasting problem for the metal federations is to win the support of the members in giving priority to European level activities as well as global activities.

Article in European Journal of Industrial Relations, volume 12, number 1, 2006.