Social partners

This study provides information designed to aid sectoral social dialogue in the woodworking sector. The study is divided into three parts: a brief overview of the sector’s economic and employment background; an analysis of the relevant social partner organisations in all the EU Member States, with special emphasis on their membership, their role in collective bargaining, social dialogue and public policy and their national and European affiliations; and an analysis of the relevant European organisations, particularly their membership composition and their capacity to negotiate. The aim of Eurofound’s series of representativeness studies is to identify the relevant national and supranational social partner organisations in the field of industrial relations in selected sectors. The impetus of these studies arises from the European Commission’s desire to recognise the representative social partner organisations to be consulted under the provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

This study provides information designed to aid sectoral social dialogue in the textile and clothing sector. The study is divided into three parts: a summary of the sector’s economic background; an analysis of the social partner organisations in all the EU Member States, including their membership, role in collective bargaining, social dialogue and public policy, and national and European affiliations; and an analysis of relevant European organisations, particularly their membership composition and capacity to negotiate. The aim of Eurofound's studies on representativeness is to identify the relevant national and supranational social partner organisations in the field of industrial relations in selected sectors. The impetus for these studies comes from the European Commission’s desire to recognise the representative social partner organisations to be consulted under the provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

The study looks at the articulation and the complex multi-level links between European and national levels of social dialogue. It examines the factors that facilitate as well as those that hinder the successful engagement of national social partners and their ability to promote their own interests effectively. It highlights the need to overcome some gaps in coordination, resources and capacities, particularly in those countries with underdeveloped structures of bilateral social dialogue at sectoral level linking to European-level social dialogue. The findings show that what is needed is a longer-term perspective on the multi-level governance of employment within the EU, one that would foster institution-building within sectoral social dialogue. Based on case studies and interviews with trade unions and employer organisations, the study illustrates that well-functioning national social dialogue is a key driver of positive and effective cooperation between all levels.