Are collective agreements back on the agenda? Grounds for optimism

Trade unions are scrutinising the new collective agreements legislation more closely and, in some workplaces, trying to use it to kickstart talks with employers. Yet, there is no real sign of a change in how employers view the situation. From the business side, a collective agreement is a major, long-term commitment, which explains why employers are so careful about signing up to them. The real issue is rarely the initial signing of the deal, but rather the ongoing challenge of adapting it to a company’s changing circumstances, such as a shift in its financial situation. If both sides hit a deadlock over updates, employers are often left with only one drastic option: ripping up the entire agreement. As a result, many businesses still see collective agreements as inflexible tools that are tough to square with today’s fast-moving commercial needs. – Sławomir Paruch and Kinga Ciosk comment for Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.

Full article in Polish available: here.