EIRO thematic feature - Industrial relations in the railway sector

In recent years, the railway sector in the European Union has undergone a huge process of change, triggered by market liberalisation which came about as a result of EU legislation in the area. Increased restructuring and reorganisation within the sector has also led to conflicts in industrial relations, as new challenges arise, while workers, employers and their representative organisations are faced with increasing demands in a sector that is in the midst of a period of dramatic transition. Against this backdrop, this thematic feature provides a snapshot of industrial relations in the railway sector in 26 countries: in the EU25 (excluding Cyprus and Malta) and Norway, and in the acceding countries, Bulgaria and Romania. It is based on and updates an EIRO comparative study conducted in 2000 on 15 EU member states and Norway.