May 1997
- 28 May 1997
Austria: Troubled relations in key tourism industry<#PDF_LINK>Employers and trade unions have not been able to agree on a new collective agreement for Austria's tourism sector, which was due to be concluded by 1 May 1997. A backlog of complex and intertwined issues make negotiations difficult in this important but ailing industry.
- 28 May 1997
Austria: Salary grades in industry<#PDF_LINK>From 1 May 1997, the grading system for white-collar workers' salaries in Austrian industrial establishments has been changed, redistributing lifetime income from later to earlier years, partly in an attempt to protect the employment chances of employees over 40.
- 28 May 1997
Austria: Non-ÖGB union to be created?<#PDF_LINK>Efforts to create a trade union outside the ÖGB confederation were stepped up in April 1997, although the prospects remain uncertain.
- 28 May 1997
Austria: Civil service strike threats<#PDF_LINK>In the Austrian civil service, impatience with government budget-cutting and reform plans is coming to a head. A warning strike has been provisionally organised for 3 June 1997.
- 28 May 1997
Austria: Minor employment to gain social security coverage<#PDF_LINK>About 140,000 Austrian employees, mostly women, earning too little to be covered by social security are to be brought into its ambit, mostly because the phenomenon is thought to be gaining in importance.
- 28 May 1997
Belgium: Experimental reduction of working time at Interbrew<#PDF_LINK>The first experiment in Belgium to reduce working time with compensation for loss of pay, following recent legislation to this effect, has taken place at the Interbrew brewing group. The initiative, agreed in April 1997, is intended to preserve employment and put an end to the lengthy negotiation of a company social plan in this enterprise based in theBrussels region.
- 28 May 1997
Belgium: Towards union representation in local retail outlets ?<#PDF_LINK>In May 1997, negotiations underway across the retail sector and in retail companies in Belgium are coming to an end. Once again employers' and employees' representatives in the sector - which covers department stores, supermarkets, chain food stores and the independent retail trade - are at odds on two major issues: the reduction of working time and union representation.
- 28 May 1997
Belgium: Unions fight the far Right's hijack of May Day<#PDF_LINK>For the second year running, an extreme right-wing Flemish party, the Vlaams Blok, organised a demonstration on May Day 1997 posing as a representative of the working class.
- 28 May 1997
Belgium: OECD study provokes controversy in Belgium<#PDF_LINK>An OECD country report, issued in April 1997, has recommended drastic changes to the structure and dynamics of Belgium's social and economic life. More flexibility, lower employment costs and less government intervention lie at the core of the OECD's proposals to revitalise the Belgian economy.
- 28 May 1997
Germany: Non-wage labour costs in Germany reach new record high<#PDF_LINK>A recent analysis by the Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft shows that non-wage labour costs in Germany reached a new record high in 1996. From 1972 to 1996, the ratio of non-wage labour costs to direct compensation in west German manufacturing industry rose from 55.6% to 80.7%. The topic of non-wage labour costs is increasingly being discussed among and between the social partners and the major political parties.
- 28 May 1997
Germany: Rehabilitation pact renewed at Deutz<#PDF_LINK>On 6 May 1997, the German machinery and tractor makerDeutz AGpublicised information on the employees' contribution to a rescue package agreed in 1996, and a package deal onImprovement of results, growth and employmentwhich was recently signed by Deutz and its group works council.
- 28 May 1997
Germany: Two-tier wage system established at Volkswagen<#PDF_LINK>On 30 April 1997, Volkswagen announced the creation of several hundred temporary jobs. According to an agreement between the company and the IG Metall trade union, the new temporary staff, although being hired on the terms of the current company agreements, will be paid 10% less than core employees. This agreement establishes a two-tier wage system at Volkswagen.
- 28 May 1997
Germany: Pact for partnership 1997 at Mohn printing shop<#PDF_LINK>In April 1997, management and the works council at Mohn GmbH signed a works agreement, the so-called "Pact for partnership 1997", which includes an unpaid increase in working time and a reduction in wages and salaries, in order to secure jobs at the Mohn printing works.
- 28 May 1997
Germany: Tripartite agreement on Employment Alliance for eastern Germany<#PDF_LINK>On 22 May 1997, Federal Government, trade and employers' associations, and trade unions agreed on an employment alliance known as theJoint initiative for more jobs in eastern Germany.
- 28 May 1997
Germany: New union for employees of international and European organisations<#PDF_LINK>The German trade unions,ÖTVandDAG, announced in April 1997 the establishment of a joint subsidiary union for the employees of international and European organisations. The newInternational Public Servants Organisation(IPSO) should become active in international and European organisations which are located in Germany, such as theEuropean Monetary Instituteor theEuropean Patent Office.
- 28 May 1997
Germany: German law contravenes the EU equal treatment Directive<#PDF_LINK>The European Court of Justice ruled in April 1997 that some provisions of German civil and labour law do not correspond with the EU Directive on equal treatment for men and woman.
- 28 May 1997
Germany: New collective agreements in the Saxon metalworking industry<#PDF_LINK>The social partners in the Saxon metalworking industry signed new collective agreements in April 1997, which include moderate wage increases and a new agreement to secure employment.
- 28 May 1997
Germany: Pact for partnership 1997 at Mohn printing shop<#PDF_LINK>In April 1997, management and the works council at Mohn GmbH signed a works agreement, the so-called "Pact for partnership 1997", which includes an unpaid increase in working time and a reduction in wages and salaries, in order to secure jobs at the Mohn printing works.
- 28 May 1997
Denmark: The 1997 Danish collective bargaining round completed<#PDF_LINK>The 1997 collective bargaining round in Denmark was generally more concerned with structural and procedural matters than with substantive bargaining issues. In the public sector, collective bargaining resulted in the introduction of a new salary scale system, whereas in the private sector collective agreements were concluded of varying duration ranging from one to three years.
- 28 May 1997
Denmark: Disagreement on proposed new Danish Work Environment Act<#PDF_LINK>Denmark's social partners believe that their views have been ignored in the drawing up of the new Work Environment Act (debated in Parliament in May 1997). Employers have criticised the Minister of Labour for centralising the health and safety system and not taking account of the long-standing tradition of tripartite decision-making and implementation of the framework legislation.
- 28 May 1997
Spain: Conciliation, mediation and arbitration in Spain<#PDF_LINK>An agreement on resolving labour disputes out of court was signed in January 1996 by Spain's largest unions (UGTandCC.OO) and employers' associations (CEOEandCEPYME), covering the period until 31 December 2000. The agreement built on the experience in mediation and arbitration at a regional level that had grown on the basis of joint quasi-judicial institutions formed in the 1990s. We review the complex system which now applies in this area.
- 28 May 1997
Spain: Strike on the Barcelona Metro<#PDF_LINK>Recent months have seen an intensifying and unresolved dispute over pensions atTransports Metropolitans de Barcelona(TMB), including 14 days of strike activity starting on 21 February 1997. This is the first time in four years that all the unions represented on the TMB workers' committee have acted jointly to claim what they understand as a right laid down in previous agreements.
- 28 May 1997
Spain: Employment policy agreement in Andalucia<#PDF_LINK>On 21 April 1997, trade unions, employers' associations and the Government ofAndaluciasigned anAgreement on employment policy and economic development for Andalucia. This is the third tripartite agreement to be reached in this region. It covers a period of two years (1997-8) and involves an investment of about ESP 200 billion .
- 28 May 1997
Spain: Controversy surrounds dual pay scales<#PDF_LINK>Over 1995-7, certain collective agreements in Spain have allowed employers to recruit workers at lower wages than workers in the same job grade who are already employed by the firm (the "dual pay scale"). Companies' objectives in reducing labour costs and workers' objectives in creating employment seem to be threatening the principles of solidarity and equality that have traditionally been maintained by the unions.
- 28 May 1997
Spain: First agreement reached after labour reform<#PDF_LINK>The Spanish chemicals sector agreement signed in April 1997 takes into account the national agreement on labour market reform recently concluded by unions and employers, with respect to types of employment contract and temporary employment agencies
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Social affairs Council takes stock of information and consultation initiatives<#PDF_LINK>At their meeting on 17 April 1997, EU labour and social affairs ministers reviewed reports on the work of theDavignon Groupon employee involvement, the outcomes of the informal social affairs Council in March, and the Round Table on information and consultation hosted by the Dutch Presidency on 15 April. TheLabour and Social Affairs Councilalso considered proposals on the burden of proof in sex discrimination cases and equal opportunities for men and women regarding access to employment, training and promotion.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: The future of social protection in Europe: anatomy of a debate<#PDF_LINK>In March 1997, theEuropean Commissionhas recently issued a Communication on the modernisation and improvement of social protection in Europe. Here we outline the reasons for the current concern with the reform of social protection systems and highlight the development of Commission proposals, as well as the approaches taken by the social partners.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: New Commission report and initiatives on continuing training<#PDF_LINK>In a report published in April 1997, theEuropean Commissiontakes stock of progress made towards the achievement of equal access to continuing training. The report also recommends a number of concrete initiatives aimed at involving the social partners and member state governments more closely in the process of monitoring, and the development of strategies for improving access to continuing training.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Commission publishes first annual review of the EU-level social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>In its first annual review of the development of the social dialogue process at European level, theEuropean Commissionhighlights what it sees as the main achievements, as well as shortcomings. The review, adopted in May 1997, lists the initiatives which have been taken at interprofessional and sectoral level and stresses the success of consultations and negotiations under the Agreement on Social Policy annexed to the Maastricht Treaty.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Commissioner Flynn responds to income distribution and poverty figures<#PDF_LINK>Padraig Flynn, European commissioner with responsibility for employment, industrial relations and social affairs, has expressed his concern over the most recent findings on poverty and income differentials published in May 1997 byEurostat. He underlines the need for a dialogue on social exclusion with member states, social partners and civil society.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Davignon group on worker involvement publishes recommendations<#PDF_LINK>The Commission-convened "high-level expert group on worker involvement" presented its final report on 14 May 1997. The report assesses the reasons for the lack of progress in European legislation on a European Company Statute and makes recommendations which it believes would help to overcome these difficulties.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: UNICE urges IGC to prioritise competitiveness<#PDF_LINK>In its opinion on the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference, issued on 30 April 1997, UNICE expresses its concern about the perceived lack of importance attached to improving the competitiveness of European companies in the current proposals for Treaty revision.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Social partners reach draft agreement on part-time work<#PDF_LINK>A draft European-level agreement on part-time work was reached byETUC,UNICEandCEEPon 14 May 1997.Padraig Flynn, the commissioner for employment, industrial relations and social affairs, has welcomed the deal as a positive step towards Social Europe and a reminder of the important role played by the social partners.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Commission publishes Green Paper on new forms of work organisation<#PDF_LINK>In April 1997, the Commission released a Green Paper onNew forms of work organisation. The purpose is to stimulate a European debate on how competitiveness and employment opportunities can be improved through new forms of work organisation based on high skill, high trust and high quality.
- 28 May 1997
Finland: STTK proposes a 35-hour week<#PDF_LINK>TheFinnish Confederation of Salaried Employees(STTK) has recently begun discussions about the next incomes policy agreement by proposing a reduction in working time.
- 28 May 1997
Finland: Two reports published on the industrial relations implications of EMU in Finland<#PDF_LINK>Two separate committees - a group of professors appointed by the Government and a committee of economists from the Finnish social partners - published reports in early May 1997 on the industrial relations implications of EU Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) for Finland The social partners themselves have adopted a joint declaration on EMU membership.
- 28 May 1997
France: Reorganisation and reduction of statutory working time: early assessment of the Robien law<#PDF_LINK>The publication of an assessment commissioned by the National Assembly's Finance Commission, and the campaign for the May/June 1997 general election, have reopened the debate in France on the content and efficiency of the Robien law, which seeks to encourage working time reductions and reorganisation to create or save jobs. Politicians, economists, employers and unions remain divided whilst the number of collective agreements at company level based on the law is increasing.
- 28 May 1997
France: Unions set the social agenda in the context of parliamentary elections<#PDF_LINK>At a time when public opinion seems to be losing interest in the campaign for the May/June 1997 parliamentary elections (if opinion polls published in the middle of May are to be believed, less than half the electorate said they were interested in the debates and manifestoes) the trade unions and employers' associations, while not telling their members which way to vote, are voicing their main demands and preparing the forthcoming social agenda.
- 28 May 1997
France: Pilots on strike at Air France<#PDF_LINK>The majority of pilots' trade unions represented in the Air France group took part in a relatively successful strike from 20-23 May 1997, protesting at the setting up of a two-tier salary system.
- 28 May 1997
Greece: Trends in part-time work in Greece<#PDF_LINK>Part-time work has slightly increased in Greece over recent years. However, in comparison with other EU countries, Greece is still amongst the member states with the lowest percentage of part-time workers - almost entirely due to the general lack of interest in it expressed by both employers and employees. However, the Government has now suggested expanding part-time work and easing restrictions on its use.
- 28 May 1997
Greece: Agreement introduces new shop opening hours<#PDF_LINK>After a dispute lasting several months and fraught negotiations, an agreement has recently been concluded on the introduction of new shop opening hours in Greece.
- 28 May 1997
Greece: Trends in temporary work in Greece<#PDF_LINK>A recent survey reveals a high incidence of temporary work in Greece. Here we review the new research and the main developments since the early 1990s
- 28 May 1997
Ireland: Competition and the onset of new industrial relations in the Irish retail sector?<#PDF_LINK>Having been insulated from intense competition for many decades, the Irish retail industry has been suddenly plummeted into a new competitive environment with the increased dominance of large stores and, in particular, by the arrival of foreign multiple retailers. According to a new report, with this intensification of competition, traditional approaches to the conduct of industrial relations around collective bargaining and adversarial postures have attracted considerable attention. While there is much debate as to the appropriateness of this model, no clear alternatives would appear to be emerging. The reasons for this are twofold: employers appear reluctant to depart from cost-based competitive strategies; and the recent growth in the Irish economy and in consumer spending has insulated employers further from the severities of competition.
- 28 May 1997
Ireland: Bank moves on performance-related pay<#PDF_LINK>In a move which could have implications for the traditional incremental-based pay system in Ireland's banking sector, one of the country's smallest banks,Ulster Bank, announced recently that it wants to introduce a performance-related reward system.
- 28 May 1997
Ireland: Labour Court plays key role in public pay dispute<#PDF_LINK>While Ireland'sLabour Courtin May 1997 rejected a claim by a key group of health workers for formal pay parity with nurses, the actual pay increases it proposed fell only marginally short of what the workers concerned were demanding.
- 28 May 1997
Ireland: Supreme Court makes landmark equality ruling<#PDF_LINK>A recent decision by Ireland'sSupreme Court, in a key equality case, has reaffirmed the primacy ofEUCommunity law over domestic law.
- 28 May 1997
Italy: First regional pensions fund established<#PDF_LINK>An agreement for Italy's first regional occupational pensions fund was signed in March 1997 by theVenetolocal organisations ofConfindustria, the main employers' organisation, and of theCISLtrade union confederation. The initiative has met with hostility fromCGILand uncertainty fromUIL, the other two main union confederations.
- 28 May 1997
Italy: Agreement to promote workers' participation signed at TIM<#PDF_LINK>A recent collective agreement signed atTelecom Italia Mobile(TIM) provides for the development of social dialogue and workers' participation, through information and discussion on industrial policies and joint decision-making on vocational training.
- 28 May 1997
Italy: Occupational pension schemes, collective bargaining and the role of social partners<#PDF_LINK>Occupational pension schemes are becoming more and more important in Italy even though their full implementation is still difficult, both because the legal framework has not yet been consolidated, and because their form and content must be defined by the social partners through collective bargaining. The latter point still remains problematic, as no agreement has yet been reached as to whether pension schemes should be developed at national or local level. Nevertheless, evidence from recent collective bargaining at national and local levels shows that occupational pension scheme issues are growing in importance.
- 28 May 1997
Italy: Preliminary agreement for the renewal of national railworkers' contract<#PDF_LINK>On 7 May 1997, a preliminary agreement (which requires ratification) was signed for the renewal of the Italian national railworkers' contract. The new contract, which comes into effect from January 1997 and will expire on 31 December 1999, deals with company recovery plans and pay.
- 28 May 1997
Luxembourg: Economic and Social Council gives opinion on reform of collective agreements legislation<#PDF_LINK>Luxembourg'sEconomic and Social Councilhas recently responded to a government request for its opinion, with a view to reforming the Law of 12 June 1965 relating to collective agreements and of the Grand-Ducal Order of 6 October 1945 dealing with theNational Conciliation Office(Office National de Conciliation).
- 28 May 1997
Netherlands: The Port of Rotterdam: a long tradition of industrial conflict continues<#PDF_LINK>Strikes in the Port of Rotterdam in the early months of 1997 demonstrate once again its distinctive position in the Dutch system of industrial relations. The ongoing process of reorganisation in the mixed-cargo sector, which has a long tradition of trade unionism, is responsible for regular labour disputes in the form of court action and both organised and wildcat strikes .
- 28 May 1997
Netherlands: Exemptions from the statutory national minimum wage dropped<#PDF_LINK>A bill that would have allowed employers exemption from the statutory national minimum wage in the Netherlands was withdrawn for political reasons in May 1997. Although both trade unions and employers' organisations had been critical of the proposed regulation, the employers' organisations were nonetheless disappointed.
- 28 May 1997
Netherlands: Share option scheme considered at KLM<#PDF_LINK>In anticipation of the spring 1997 collective bargaining round, pilots atRoyal Dutch Airlines(KLM) are considering contributing to the company's cost-cutting programme by exchanging salaries for share options and an increased say in company policy. Unions are divided over this exchange.
- 28 May 1997
Netherlands: New Career Breaks Bill promotes care and study leave<#PDF_LINK>Under the terms of a new bill, announced in April 1997, employees in the Netherlands will be entitled to benefits if they interrupt their careers for care or study leave, on condition that the employer hires an unemployed person for the same period
- 28 May 1997
Norway: Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions holds congress<#PDF_LINK>The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), the largest employee confederation in Norway, held its four-yearly congress on 10-16 May 1997. The most important issues were the question of continuing with the "Solidarity Alternative", and the adoption of the Action Programme for the period 1997-2001. A discussion also took place between LO unions regarding the confederation's policy towards the privatisation of public activities (services), while the vice-presidency election received considerable attention.
- 28 May 1997
Norway: New wage agreement for the public sector<#PDF_LINK>New wage agreements were reached on 25 May 1997 covering the Norwegian state sector, the municipal sector and the municipality ofOslo. The new agreements include a voluntary early retirement scheme for the age-group from 62-63 years and moderate wage increases. The wage settlement for the public sector is therefore in line with the settlement in the private sector with regard to total wage growth.
- 28 May 1997
Portugal: Government strategic plan to support company restructuring and upgrade human resources<#PDF_LINK>The Portuguese Government has recently established a plan to promote new ways of organising and developing the strategic management of human resources. It concentrates particularly on investment in new skills for employees, with a view to company restructuring and development, together with improving employees' skills and/or retraining.
- 28 May 1997
Portugal: Debate on recognition of police union<#PDF_LINK>Over recent months the debate has reopened in Portugal over the recognition of trade union freedoms for policemen and policewomen belonging to thePublic Security Police, orPSP. The debate has focused not only on the legal regulations governing the PSP but also on the deeper issue of the lawfulness of constitutional restrictions on union rights for members of military and paramilitary forces.
- 28 May 1997
Portugal: First agreement for social welfare institutions<#PDF_LINK>April 1997 saw the conclusion of the first collective agreement covering Portuguese social welfare institutions, where conditions of employment were previously governed by state regulations.
- 28 May 1997
Portugal: State guarantee for bank loan to UGT creates controversy<#PDF_LINK>At the beginning of May 1997, the State Prosecutor's consultative committee issued a report questioning the legality of the provision of a state guarantee for a bank loan made to theGeneral Workers' Union(União Geral dos Trabalhadores,UGT). A final decision on whether to take legal action to ascertain the legality of the action is now expected from the State Prosecutor.
- 28 May 1997
Portugal: Elections in the largest union affiliated to UGT<#PDF_LINK>In elections held in April 1997, a joint list of socialist and communist trade unionists narrowly won control of Portugal'sSouth and Islands Banking Union(Sindicato dos Bancários do Sul e Ilhas,SBSI), which will continue to be affiliated to theGeneral Workers' Union(União Geral de Trabalhadores,UGT).
- 28 May 1997
Sweden: Swedish employers urged to negotiate on the reduction of working time<#PDF_LINK>In the 1997 bargaining round, many trade unions have called for a reduction of working time, but the employers have consistently rejected their claims. Now the Government is attempting to pressurise the employers with hints of legislation. However, the proposal for a new Act on Working Time that is in prospect for the end of 1997 is unlikely to contain any provisions to that effect.
- 28 May 1997
Sweden: No dramatic rise in temporary employment expected<#PDF_LINK>Temporary employment will increase in Sweden, but not dramatically so, according to a newly published report. Permanent (ie, open-ended) contracts will continue to be the rule. Nevertheless, according to another recent study, there is a need for improving employment security for those with fixed term contracts. This feature summarises the contents of the reports.
- 28 May 1997
Sweden: Agreement on journalists' copyright in digital media reached after years of disputes<#PDF_LINK>A new collective agreement on copyright, signed in April 1997, gives Swedish journalists control over the re-use of work created in the course of their employment.
- 28 May 1997
Sweden: Dismissals on grounds of alleged disloyalty were unlawful<#PDF_LINK>Three ambulance drivers in Sweden were wrongfully dismissed when their employer fired them for having criticised the company to the authorities and in the media, theLabour Courtruled in May 1997.
- 28 May 1997
Sweden: Wage agreements in cleaning firms, power plants and the food industry concluded after industrial action<#PDF_LINK>After boycotts and strike action a collective agreement on wages for cleaners employed by cleaning firms was concluded on 16 May 1997. In two other sectors where negotiations have been unusually difficult, power plants and the food industry, agreements have finally been reached after meditation.
- 28 May 1997
United Kingdom: Employee involvement in Total Quality Management<#PDF_LINK>Total Quality Management is one of the major "workplace change" programmes used in Britain, but few studies have addressed the effects on employees. New research evidence questions optimistic and pessimistic accounts, finding that TQM is widely welcomed but that it does not lead to "empowerment", and that success depends on certain conditions, notably job security.
- 28 May 1997
United Kingdom: Continuity and change in pay and working time<#PDF_LINK>The changing nature of collective bargaining in the UK and the ever-increasing need for flexibility provide the means and motivation for organisations to develop their pay and working time systems. However, recent research, covering 1996, indicates that few appear to be doing so, despite widespread unease over current arrangements.
- 28 May 1997
United Kingdom: Absenteeism continues to cost the UK dear<#PDF_LINK>A report from the CBI employers' organisation, published in April 1997, highlights the increasing cost of absenteeism to the UK economy. Yet few people see the links between the way that companies treat their staff and the levels of absenteeism.
- 28 May 1997
United Kingdom: European Court of Justice U-turn on transfers brings uncertainty for employees<#PDF_LINK>A March 1997 ruling by theEuropean Court of Justice(ECJ), changing the interpretation of the EU Directive on transfers of undertakings, left UK trade unions and employers speculating as to what the change would mean for the rights of the employees of contractors, and who would bear the brunt of the costs in the event of loss of contract. Their worst fears were confirmed when weeks later the UKCourt of Appealinterpreted the Directive in the same way as the ECJ.
- 28 May 1997
United Kingdom: Social partners seem to welcome Queen's speech<#PDF_LINK>No composite employment bill was contained in the Queen's speech made to Parliament on 14 May 1997, setting out the new Labour Government's priorities. However, the speech did include measures to combat unemployment and low pay which proved largely acceptable to the social partners.
- 28 May 1997
United Kingdom: Pensions deal leads the way for part timers<#PDF_LINK>A deal recently agreed between theHalifax Building Societyand theIndependent Union of Halifax Staff(IUHS) marks a breakthrough for the access and rights to pensions for UK part-time workers.
- 28 May 1997
United Kingdom: Are trade union mergers the way forward?<#PDF_LINK>May 1997 saw the announcement of further trade union mergers, one of which would create Europe's largest white-collar specialist union. Yet questions are being asked about whether such specialist unions are the best means of providing members with service.
- 28 May 1997
United Kingdom: Social partnership takes centre stage<#PDF_LINK>With the election of new Labour Government in May 1997 and the prospect of the UK opting-in to the EU's "social chapter", there are signs that some employers and their organisations seem to be warming to the idea of social partnership.