Trade Unions in a Europe of the Regions: The UK in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

Whatever the outcome of the Maastricht ratification process, the process of European integration is creating new challenges for trade unions. The increased mobility afforded to capital by the existence of the Single Market, requires unions also to organise across national boundaries. At the same time, the European Commission is becoming increasingly involved in the regulation of employment conditions in an effort to establish a common labour market. Some trade unions have begun to alter their structures, for example through the creation of European Affairs Committees or the appointment of European Officers, in order to cope with these new demand and pressures. The activities of the ETUC and organisations such as EMB (European Metalworkers Federation) already seek to give a ‘European’ voice to trade union concerns, while the Economic and Social Committee gives at least a platform for the expression of some of these concerns.