A socialization paradox: trade union policy cooperation in the case of the enforcement directive of the posting of workers directive

Ines Wagner,Martin Seeliger

doi:10.1093/ser/mwy037

Abstract

AbstractThe formulation of common political positions from the trade union movement at the European Union (EU) level mainly takes place at the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). In the case of the Enforcement Directive of the Posting of Workers Directive, a central cleavage line runs between neither countries nor political parties, but between different vertical levels of the system of European labor relations—the sectoral and interprofessional levels. Here, due to both horizontal and vertical differences, trade unions were unable to effectively formulate and pursue joint positions. On these grounds, we aspire to provide a theoretical argument on political dynamics in the EU’s multilevel system. While the ETUC representatives internalize supranational norms through their embeddedness in the EU’s institutional landscape, this socialization process does not advance—but rather prevents—integration by disrupting trade union power at the supranational level.

Highlights

The posting of workers via the free movement of services is a constant point of contention in the European Union
While the trade union movement does not oppose the free movement of services, there is a concern that the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ’s) interpretation of the Posting of Workers Directive opens the possibility for disregarding the labor standards in the country where the work takes place
We draw on qualitative data from 2012 to 2017 gathered from 20 open-ended interviews with representatives from the Brussels-based organizations European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC); European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW); European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT); European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF); European Public Service Union (EPSU); and the European Commission

Summary

Introduction

The posting of workers via the free movement of services is a constant point of contention in the European Union. While the trade union movement does not oppose the free movement of services, there is a concern that the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ’s) interpretation of the Posting of Workers Directive opens the possibility for disregarding the labor standards in the country where the work takes place.

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Conclusion