D4 Published development or research report or study
Hand in hand, or influencing by stealth? Finnish trade union involvement in the European Semester
Case study Finland
Authors: Olli Kangas
Publisher: European Social Observatory
Publishing place: Brussels
Publication year: 2019
Series title: OSE Research Paper
Number in series: 43
First page : 1
Last page: 42
eISBN: 1994-2893
ISSN: 1994-2893
Web address : http://www.ose.be/files/publication/OSEPaperSeries/Invotunes_2019_OseResearchPaper43_Finland.pdf
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/41219398
The aim of this study is to analyse relationships between
the Finnish trade unions and the European Union in the period 2014 to 2018.
More specifically, the study will concentrate on the mechanisms through which
Finnish trade unions are involved in the making of the European Semester. The
paper seeks to answer to what extent, if any, trade unions have an influence on
outputs and outcomes of the Semester process. The paper also describes themes
and the linkages between the European Semester and national as well as
sub-national social dialogue.
The
research methodology applied is a mixed-methods approach that builds on content
analysis of various documents, macro-level and statistical analyses of developments
in the national economy, unemployment and public finances. The role and
characteristics of the national social dialogue are discussed on the basis of
previous studies and interviews carried out with representatives of the main
trade unions, the employers’ federation and the state bureaucracy. Sections on the mechanisms of trade union
involvement in the making of the European Semester rely on official documents
and process descriptions by the ministries responsible for the planning of the Semester
reports. In addition, interviews are used to deepen the analysis. Discussion of
the trade unions’ influence on outputs and outcomes relies heavily on the
interviews carried out, and on content analyses of European Semester reports
and written commentaries and responses from the trade unions. Seven interviews were
conducted with trade union representatives (of which three were with TUSLOs
representing different trade union federations), one with a delegate from the employers’
federation, five interviews with ministry representatives and one with a COM
officer.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
