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Greek unions' preferences: measuring trends in the field. An exploratory note on the period 2008–2009

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  • Drydakis Nick

    (Department of Economics, University of Patras, Greece, and Institute for the Study of Labor, IZA, Bonn, Germany)

Abstract
The present research explores union preferences through a survey of the Greek national federations (secondary-level unions) for the period 2008–2009. The evidence presented here suggests that the monopoly-union model does not properly evaluate union–firm reality in Greece. Moreover, the right-to-manage model holds when firms ought to increase employment, while the efficient-bargaining model holds when firms attempt workforce reductions. The study also suggests that most unions place relatively more weight on wage issues than on employment issues, but there is no exclusive preference for wages over employment agreements. Furthermore, the data provide evidence that unions' goals cannot be reduced to a simple trade-off between wages and employment level; rather a range of options, examined by the industrial relations literature, should be taken into account. Cet article analyse les préférences syndicales au travers d’une étude des fédérations nationales grecques (organisations syndicales du second niveau) pendant la période 2008-2009. Les données présentées ici suggèrent que le modèle du monopole syndical ne rend pas compte de manière appropriée de la réalité du syndicalisme d’entreprise en Grèce. Par ailleurs, le modèle du droit à gérer est validé lorsque les entreprises doivent embaucher davantage, alors que le modèle de négociation efficace se trouve confirmé lorsque l’entreprise doit réduire l'emploi. L’étude suggère également que la plupart des syndicats mettent davantage l’accent sur les questions de salaires que sur les questions d'emploi, sans préférence exclusive pour des accords salariaux au détriment d’accords sur l’emploi. Enfin, les données montrent que les objectifs syndicaux ne peuvent être réduits à un simple arbitrage entre niveau des salaires et niveau de l’emploi; il convient de prendre en considération un éventail d’options examinées par la littérature consacrée aux relations industrielles. Dieser Beitrag stützt sich auf eine Untersuchung der gewerkschaftlichen Präferenzen im Rahmen einer Befragung der nationalen Gewerkschaftsverbände in Griechenland, die den Zeitraum 2008-2009 abdeckt. Aus dieser Untersuchung geht hervor, dass das Modell der Monopol-Gewerkschaften die Beziehung zwischen Gewerkschaften und Unternehmen in Griechenland nicht richtig wiedergibt. Das right-to-manage -Modell trifft zu, wenn Unternehmen mehr Arbeitnehmer einstellen, während das efficient-bargaining- Modell zutrifft, wenn sie die Zahl ihrer Arbeitnehmer reduzieren möchten. Die Studie deutet auch darauf hin, dass die meisten Gewerkschaften Lohnfragen relativ gesehen mehr Gewicht beimessen, aber Lohnvereinbarungen nicht grundsätzlich Beschäftigungsvereinbarungen vorziehen. Darüber hinaus zeigen die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung, dass sich die Ziele der Gewerkschaften nicht auf einen einfachen Kompromiss zwischen Löhnen und Beschäftigungsniveau reduzieren lassen. Stattdessen müssen verschiedene Optionen berücksichtigt werden, die in der Fachliteratur zu Fragen der Arbeitsbeziehungen untersucht werden.

Suggested Citation

  • Drydakis Nick, 2011. "Greek unions' preferences: measuring trends in the field. An exploratory note on the period 2008–2009," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 17(4), pages 563-576, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:17:y:2011:i:4:p:563-576
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258911419785
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    References listed on IDEAS

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