Gewerkschaften und Arbeitgeberverbände : Organisationsgrade, Tarifbindung und Einflüsse auf Löhne und Beschäftigung

In Germany, trade unions and employers associations play a role not only in wage determination but also in social affairs and labour law. While the majority of firms are organized in employers associations, less than one quarter of employees are members of a trade union. Both social partners have severe problems in recruiting and keeping members. Union and employer densities as well as bargaining coverage are falling. Despite this erosion, collective agreements are still relevant for five out of six employees because they constitute an anchor of wage setting even for those firms that are not formally bound by collective agreements. Empirical studies show that the social partners and collective bargaining exert a significant effect on wages. There are signs, however, that the power and influence of the social partners is more and more endangered.