Description
Collective bargaining is a basic tool in labour relations. In Europe, two thirds of workers are covered by collective agreements. In Poland, however, the number is less than half. The main objective of this project is to develop and disseminate methods supporting collective bargaining in the private sector, including foreign capital owners, and to strengthen cooperation of workers' representatives in multinational companies. The projects foresees an increase in the knowledge and awareness of such methods among the 212 people that will participate in seven courses and at a conference. The project outputs are research and a report on the quality of collective bargaining in Poland, a guidebook on “Bargaining in Multinational Companies” by Norwegian experts, and two-module training for the leaders of autonomous dialogue by a Polish – Norwegian team.
Summary of project results
At the time of realization of the project the overall attitude towards trade unions among employers was rather reluctant, the main media were giving only critical comments, openly hostile statements by public persons were not discussed nor questioned at all. The main objective was to develop and disseminate methods supporting collective bargaining in private sector (including foreign capital owners) and strengthening cooperation of workers' representatives in multinationals. To reach this a real picture of the collective bargaining in Poland was needed and this was achieved through a scientific research. At the same time the project partner was developing a guide on the collective bargaining system in Norway. Then the results of both the research works were included in a training program on collective bargaining for union leaders. 147 union leaders from company level and 40 union regional leaders (actually planned 144) managed to improve their skills and competences needed in their union work, particularly in building the collective bargaining strategy of the union. In this way a significant rise in the awareness of the importance of collective bargaining for shaping the socioeconomic development of a country was reached. Also significant number of union leaders became “equipped” with solid, professional knowledge on collective bargaining and trained to have proper, practical skills needs to carry out collective negotiations at their workplace. All the project outputs planned originally were delivered: a research and report on the quality of collective bargaining in Poland, a guide on “Collective bargaining in Norway” (Norwegian experts), 2-module training for the leaders of autonomous dialogue (Polish – Norwegian team). It also turned out to be possible to come out with additional results such as the book and the collection of good practices mentioned above and also another training programme targeting regional leaders in particular.
Summary of bilateral results
The project partner,. LO, was responsible for the development of the guidebook “Collective bargaining in Norway” and was engaged in the development of 2-module training program for the union leaders (incl. course program, teaching materials and a manual for trainers) and also directly held a "norwegian" part of the training for the union regional leaders. Close cooperation between the Leader and the Partner was necessary to transfer the Norwegian experiences in collective bargaining to Poland. The common activities allowed for better understanding of the national social dialogue realities and strengthened relations between the partners' organizations. Successful completion of a project of such a scope as this one's would not be possible without active support by the Norwegian partner.