Designing Institutions in European Industrial Relations: A Strong Commission versus Weak Trade Unions?

Abstract

This article uses the concept of ‘designing institutions’ and a heuristic model of strategic options to address two questions. First, what institutional changes support a social Europe? This question is examined on the basis of recent developments in the European Union regarding macro-economic dialogue and the unions’ own policies of European coordination. Second, what is the influence of these changes on national trade unions? The conclusion is that institutional changes are limited, and strong national unions remain the central agents of transnational coordination. The European Trade Union Confederation and the European Industry Federations administer the new coordination procedures, but their status is not enhanced structurally.