Escape from collective bargaining? * Exits and the influence of opening clauses

Abstract

"An important factor describing the change in the German system of industrial relations is the erosion of industry level collective bargaining. We analyze the circumstances determining the decision to leave a collective agreement, hereby taking special interest in the role opening clauses play. Results of the IAB-establishment-panel show that in recent years it is less a 'mass exodus' than an exchange of firms entering and leaving an industry-level collective agreement. In multivariate analyses we find little evidence of factors increasing the probability of a firm to leave an employer association. In particular, the key arguments against collective agreements are not supported by our findings. Regarding the importance of opening clauses in this context we investigate their influence on the exit decision using a matching approach but find they exert no restraining influence. Our results indicate that opening clauses do not (any longer) influence firms' decisions to remain within industry collective agreements." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Ellguth, P. & Kohaut, S. (2010): Auf der Flucht? Tarifaustritte und die Rolle von Öffnungsklauseln. In: Industrielle Beziehungen, Vol. 17, No. 4, p. 345-371.