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Changing Nordic Approaches to Bargaining and Participation: Some Implications for Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Russell D. Lansbury*
Affiliation:
University of Sydney

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of industrial relations in Nordic countries. Key features are a high degree of centralisation, high levels of unionisation, a tripartite approach to government decision making and a keen interest in employee participation. The last decade has seen the onset of more turbulent economic forces, moves to decentralisation and a shift in wage determination towards a greater role for enterprise bargaining. Several parallels with Australian experience are explored. A critical difference is that Nordic unions have escaped the significant falls in membership suffered by Australian unions.

Type
Symposium: The Nordic Work Place
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1994

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