Industrial Relations in France‑ Environments and Ideology

III‑ Rulemaking‑ Public Policy

Regulation of Bargaining

•1950 law established principle of collective bargaining but not mandatory

–Collective bargaining agreements cover nonunionists and can be extended by Labor Minister to other areas or employers

–Also encouraged plural unionism

–Since 1978 only one representative union needs to sign agreement for validity

–Requires all companies with more than 50 employees to establish works councils

•No “good faith” obligation at any level

•Compulsory unionism and check‑off illegal


	Regulation of Bargaining
	Many major statutes

	Collective bargaining agreements cover nonunionists
	Law now lets government extend agreement beyond industry or area
	Has weakened bargaining by bringing employees benefits at no cost

	Since 1978 only one representative union needs to sign agreement for validity
	Recent change to allow other representative unions to veto the agreement if they have a majority on the Works Council or among the Personnel Delegates

	Requires all companies with more than 50 employees to establish works councils
	But probably over half have not

	No good faith obligation at any level
	However, via Works Councils employees have a legal right to have a say in the organization of work and working conditions