New structures, forms and processes of governance in European industrial relations

This report explores the processes of governance at work in European industrial relations. It examines the institutional and legal frameworks in which the social partners operate, highlighting the main instruments used and factors that impede or facilitate new forms of agreements. Taking as its starting point the launch of the European social dialogue process by the then Commission President Jacques Delors in 1985 (the so-called 'Val Duchesse' initiative), the report analyses recent developments in social dialogue between and within trade unions and employers' organisations. In addition, it looks at some broader issues concerning governance, such as the implementation of the Lisbon strategy and the open method of coordination.