WORKPLACE UNION MEMBERS' REPRESENTATIVE
| DENMARK |
| TILLIDSREPRÆSENTANT WORKPLACE UNION MEMBERS' REPRESENTATIVE |
Most collective agreements in Denmark contain provisions which entitle unionized employees to elect one or more representatives within the enterprise (or department) or establishment in which they are employed. (Since such a tillidsrepræsentant is elected by and from union members in the workforce and is not an employee of the union, the term bears some similarity to the English "shop steward".) The election procedure itself (including details regarding the employer's right to lodge any objection) may also be regulated by the agreement concerned, which in addition may lay down particular rules on the representative's functions. In the majority of cases the relevant collective agreement also provides special protection against dismissal for these union members' representatives by stipulating that the employer may dismiss them only if there are "compelling" reasons for doing so. An especially long period of notice may be specified in addition. In large enterprises where there are a number of different union members' representatives, they may be entitled to elect a combined representative referred to as a fællestillidsmand to represent their shared interests. Even if the relevant collective agreement does not confer entitlement to a workplace union members' representative as such, union members in the workforce may still elect a spokesman (talsmand) who does not possess the corresponding formally recognized rights.
The function performed by workplace union members' representatives is a difficult one. They have to reconcile the task of representing their fellow-employees by whom they have been elected with the duty to promote co-operation within the workplace. In situations where conflict arises between employer and employee interests, their fellow-employees normally expect these representatives to take their side. Consequently, it is normal practice for employees who are already workplace union members' representatives not to stand as candidates for election, in addition, to the company board of directors as provided for by the rules on employee representation , because members of the board are required by law to look after the company's interests. On the other hand, many union members' representatives are also members of the workplace co-operation committee (see co-operation in the workplace ). Survey findings show that fellow-employees expect their representative to take their side in the event of a dispute, whereas a good many unions and union members' representatives themselves take the view that the representative should protect the union's interests in such situations.
There are estimated to be around 100,000 workplace union members' representatives and safety representatives (who enjoy similar rights: see work environment: safety organization in the workplace ).
Please note: the European industrial relations glossaries were compiled between 1991 and 2003 and are not updated. For current material see the European industrial relations dictionary.
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