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Industrial action

Industrial action is one of the fundamental means available to workers and their organisations to solve labour disputes and promote their economic and social interests. It can take many forms, from the complete withdrawal of labour for an indefinite period to more restricted forms of collective action in which there is no cessation of work. The right to strike is explicitly recognised in the constitutions and/or laws of many countries. At EU level, the right to strike is enshrined in Article 28 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The right to collective action by the social partners is also included in the European Pillar of Social Rights.  Eurofound is currently exploring the feasibility of an industrial action monitor. 

Topic

Eurofound research

Eurofound has analysed data collected in 2018–2019 during the piloting of its Industrial Action Monitor (IAM) database. Using cluster analysis, the research classified industrial action in Europe into five categories: 

  • national disputes of interest and rights, sometimes involving different forms of employment
  • extended disputes about collective pay agreements
  • localised disputes about employment problems, working time and restructuring, with short work stoppages
  • localised disputes about workers’ rights and grievances over company policies
  • disputes concerning public policies

Recent updates

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Working life in the COVID-19 pandemic 2021

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19 maj 2022
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Kollektiva arbetsmarknadskonflikter inom EU

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Definitions

Key outputs

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Collective labour disputes in the EU

In recent years, apart from some intermittent spikes, there has been a general decrease in industrial action across the EU Member States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this trend has continued...

7 februari 2022
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Research report
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Relative calm on the industrial action front in 2020

Despite the economic turmoil that led to large-scale restructuring in many EU Member States and changes in working conditions for many occupational groups, 2020 seems to have been a quiet...

Article
Publications results (18)

Industrial relations and working conditions developments in Europe 2013

This report describes the main developments in industrial relations and working conditions in 2013 in the 28 EU Member States and in Norway, from both a national and EU-level perspective. Beginning with an overview of the current economic and political context in these countries, the report goes on

16 January 2015
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Research report
Skills and training
Social dialogue
Social partners
Pay and income
Working time
Working conditions and sustainable work
Working conditions
Employment relationship
Health and well-being at work
Industrial action
Industrial relations and social dialogue
Industrial relations

Social dialogue and recession in the automotive sector: a global perspective

This analysis of recent developments in the automotive sector in the countries covered by this report seems to support the idea that the sector’s expansion will – in the medium term – depend on the growth of emerging markets (Brazil, China and India). In these countries, the potential for growth in

08 February 2011
Publication
Research report
Industrial action
Social dialogue
Restructuring
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
Industrial relations
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Industrial relations developments in Europe 2009

This annual review highlights the most significant developments that took place in industrial relations in the EU Member States and Norway in 2009, both at national and EU level. It first sets out the political context, then goes on to examine levels of coverage of collective bargaining, and trends

27 June 2010
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Research report
Restructuring
Social partners
Pay and income
Structural change
Working time
Collective bargaining
Industrial action
Industrial relations and social dialogue
Industrial relations

Current restructuring developments in local government - Background paper

This report uses recent findings from two observatories of the European Foundation for the Improvement and Living Conditions (Eurofound); the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) and the European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) – as well as Eurostat data, to examine trends in compensation

14 March 2010
Publication
Customised report
Pay and income
Structural change
Employment structure
Industrial action
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Industrial relations and social dialogue

EIRO thematic feature - Collective dispute resolution in an enlarged European Union

Promoting industrial peace in the labour market is an ongoing challenge in the world economy. This thematic feature from the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) outlines procedures that countries have taken to avoid industrial action and to maintain a smooth negotiating process between

10 December 2008
Publication
Research report
Industrial action
Labour law
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue
Industrial relations

Industrial relations in the EU, Japan, US and other global economies, 2005–2006

In the context of global competition, it is increasingly relevant to look at Europe’s economic development in a wider perspective. This report gives an overview of the main industrial relations developments in the European Union, Japan and the US in 2005 and 2006. It charts the similarities and

11 December 2007
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Research report
Non-standard employment
Collective bargaining
Industrial action
Small and medium-sized enterprises
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Social dialogue and conflict resolution in the acceding countries (report)

This report is part of a series of projects from the Foundation which focuses on aspects of industrial relations in the ten acceding countries in the run-up to enlargement. It looks specifically at the role of social dialogue in resolving industrial relations conflicts. The report gives an overview

09 November 2004
Publication
Industrial action
Industrial relations
Social dialogue
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Social dialogue and conflict resolution in Cyprus (report)

This report is part of a series of projects from the Foundation which focuses on aspects of industrial relations in the run-up to enlargement. The national report for Cyprus is part of the second phase of a project on ‘Social dialogue and EMU’ carried out by the Foundation in 2002-3, in cooperation

22 March 2004
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Research report
Industrial action
Industrial relations
Social dialogue
Industrial relations and social dialogue
Online resources results (504)

Working life in Ukraine

3 november 2022
Article
Stand with Ukraine
Industrial relations and social dialogue
Industrial action
Social partners
Pay and income
Working time
Working conditions
ef21019.png

Relative calm on the industrial action front in 2020

Despite the economic turmoil that led to large-scale restructuring in many EU Member States and changes in working conditions for many occupational groups, 2020 seems to have been a quiet year in terms of industrial action. At the time of writing this article, national statistics for 2020 are

8 april 2021
Article
COVID-19
Industrial action
Industrial relations and social dialogue

United Kingdom: latest working life developments Q2 2018

The social partners’ joint statement on the risk of a no-deal Brexit risk, launch of the first labour market enforcement strategy and a record low for workers’ strikes are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in the UK in

11 september 2018
Article
Industrial action
Labour and social regulation
Labour market policies
Pay and income
Social partners

France: latest working life developments Q2 2018

The adoption of labour market reforms, strikes in the transport sector and new leadership among the social partners are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in France in the second quarter of 2018.

10 september 2018
Article
Employment status
Fraudulent work
Industrial action
Labour law
Labour market policies
Pay and income
Posted workers
Skills and training
Social partners

Sweden: latest working life developments Q2 2018

A historic agreement on industrial action regulations and a narrowing gender pay gap are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Sweden in the second quarter of 2018.

7 september 2018
Article
Agreements
Collective bargaining
Gender equality
Industrial action
Industrial relations
Inequality
Labour law
Pay and income
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Belgium: latest working life developments Q2 2018

Ongoing discussions about pension reform for ‘heavy occupations’, the signing of an agreement in the non-profit sector and strikes in the railway sector are the main topics of this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Belgium in the first quarter of 2018

6 september 2018
Article
Collective bargaining
Industrial action
Labour and social regulation
Retirement
Social partners

Poland: Latest working life developments – Q4 2017

Protests by doctors at public healthcare facilities, delays in trade union legislation, and the government’s hasty removal of the limit on income subject to social security contributions are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in

9 februari 2018
Article
Industrial action
Social protection

Slovenia: Latest working life developments – Q4 2017

Positive changes to labour market legislation for the unemployed, amendments to family legislation for fathers, and the announcement of strikes by public sector trade unions for 2018 are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working

9 februari 2018
Article
Industrial action
Labour market participation

Portugal: Latest working life developments – Q4 2017

Social security arrangements for independent workers, an increase in the minimum wage without tripartite agreement, and continuing conflict at the Volkswagen Autoeuropa car assembly plant, are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in

9 februari 2018
Article
Industrial action
Minimum wage

Greece: Latest working life developments – Q4 2017

The fall in the unemployment rate, combating undeclared work, one-off social benefit payments, initiatives to strengthen social dialogue, and a general strike over the 2018 budget are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life

1 februari 2018
Article
Fraudulent work
Industrial action
Social protection

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