Towards computer-assisted collective bargaining Prof. Dr. Dr. Andranik Tangian Hans Böckler Foundation, Düsseldorf University of Karlsruhe

2 EU-Projekt EN: National Implementation of flexicurity pathways in consensus with social partners and backed up by monitoring instruments and empirical feedback VS/2008/0629

3 Dutch computer archive for collective agreements University of Amsterdam (DATA EASY) Years: collective agreements, in 3483 flexibility is explicitly specified 1216 variables incl. 649 numerical, 356 selected l 2 Classifiers (Year, Branch) l 21 on flexibility and l 333 on social security

4 Dimensions of flexibility External numerical flexibility (3 variables) Internal numerical flexibility (7) Funktional flexibility (2) Wage flexibility (4) Externalisation flexibility (5)

5 Dimensionen der Sicherheit Labour rights (13 variables) In-work income (75) Out-of-work income: Pensions, disabling, seak leave… (69) Job security (12) Employment security (3) Social security (25) Co-determination (9) Work-life balance (98)

Data structure (CLA archiv, NL)

Which trends are in collective labour agreements (NL)?

8 Dynamics of flexibility-to-security ratio

Share of flexicurity-relevant CLAs in all CLAs

10 Flexibility and security in CAs by industry

Flexicurity balance Evaluation of 3483 CLAs (NL) with respect to the status quo

Checklist No. 1 (descriptive)

Checklist No. 2 (analytical)

Nov 2009A.Tangian. Towards computer-assisted collective bargaining14 Conclusions Increasing flexibility and decreasing security „Good“ Dutch practice (according to the Commission) is not so good as believed Dutch trade unions pay too much attention to “small” security issues (333!) and overlook a few principal issues (only 21 flexibility variables) The computer tool developed can help to control the fairness of collective bargaining Weak left parties requires politicization of unions

Nov 2009A.Tangian. Towards computer-assisted collective bargaining15 Reform proposal Flexinsurance Employer's contribution to social security proportional to the flexibility of the contract/risk of becoming unemployed Prototypes: “dismissal taxes” Progressive: Experience rating in US Flat: Austrian Abfertigungsrecht

Nov 2009A.Tangian. Towards computer-assisted collective bargaining16 Reform proposal Workplace tax The worse working conditions (‘social pollution’), the higher the tax paid by the employer Prototypes: Green tax which stimulates enterprises to consider the natural environment French bonus 10% of total earnings upon the termination of temporary contract

Nov 2009A.Tangian. Towards computer-assisted collective bargaining17 Reform proposal Basic income A flat income paid by the state to all citizens regardless of their earnings and property status Prototypes Kindergeld in Germany paid to all parents Solidarity pensions in Chili and Switzerland Minimal wage

Nov 2009A.Tangian. Towards computer-assisted collective bargaining18 Reform proposal Constraining financial markets Foreign investments mean export of jobs Employers are given a legal instrument for pressure on European governments: ‘If you do not accept our requirements, we move jobs abroad’ Unconstrained financial speculations end up with an economic recession … and we are in crisis now