%0 Report %1 fichter2013usa %A Fichter, Michael %A Stevis, Dimitris %C Berlin %D 2013 %K global_framework_agreements global_union_federations hbs-2008-141-2 ifa international_framework_agreements usa %T Global Framework Agreements in the USA: An Assessment of their Implementation and Impact %U http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id/10401.pdf %X Global Union Federations have made significant progress in advancing Global Framework Agreements (GFAs) that create arenas for labor relations based on the Core Labor Standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO). These Agreements – signed and implemented by labor and management – are a means of setting minimum standards and organizing unions in Transnational Corporations (TNCs), to date largely European, and their worldwide production and supply networks. Despite the existence of robust institutions of labor relations in Europe and the strength of unions at TNC European headquarters, the implementation of Global Framework Agreements around the world has not been a routine exercise. Implementation in the US has resulted only from union pressure, both locally and through transnational collaboration involving unions from other countries and Global Union Federations. Although the study on which this paper is based did identify cases of good practice, most evidence points to the US as being a prime example of the existing deficiencies in the overall process of initiation, negotiation, implementation and conflict resolution. Most importantly, unions and management from the US were generally absent from the steps leading up to implementation and thus have claimed no »ownership« of a GFA. In light of the initiation of negotiations over a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), it is essential for organized labor on both sides of the Atlantic to push for the inclusion of better and more comprehensive labor standards. Global Framework Agreements, based on the ILO Core Labor Standards, are an initial step in that direction.

@techreport{fichter2013usa, abstract = {Global Union Federations have made significant progress in advancing Global Framework Agreements (GFAs) that create arenas for labor relations based on the Core Labor Standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO). These Agreements – signed and implemented by labor and management – are a means of setting minimum standards and organizing unions in Transnational Corporations (TNCs), to date largely European, and their worldwide production and supply networks. Despite the existence of robust institutions of labor relations in Europe and the strength of unions at TNC European headquarters, the implementation of Global Framework Agreements around the world has not been a routine exercise. Implementation in the US has resulted only from union pressure, both locally and through transnational collaboration involving unions from other countries and Global Union Federations. Although the study on which this paper is based did identify cases of good practice, most evidence points to the US as being a prime example of the existing deficiencies in the overall process of initiation, negotiation, implementation and conflict resolution. Most importantly, unions and management from the US were generally absent from the steps leading up to implementation and thus have claimed no »ownership« of a GFA. In light of the initiation of negotiations over a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), it is essential for organized labor on both sides of the Atlantic to push for the inclusion of better and more comprehensive labor standards. Global Framework Agreements, based on the ILO Core Labor Standards, are an initial step in that direction.}, added-at = {2014-02-15T15:47:46.000+0100}, address = {Berlin}, author = {Fichter, Michael and Stevis, Dimitris}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2d2816a6a0b67940c2769f84e7ca2e989/mitbestimmung}, institution = {Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung}, interhash = {1ace8e2f61c1dc923cca3ddbcd5c5ffe}, intrahash = {d2816a6a0b67940c2769f84e7ca2e989}, keywords = {global_framework_agreements global_union_federations hbs-2008-141-2 ifa international_framework_agreements usa}, month = nov, timestamp = {2014-02-15T15:47:46.000+0100}, title = {Global Framework Agreements in the USA: An Assessment of their Implementation and Impact}, type = {Perspective}, url = {http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id/10401.pdf}, year = 2013 }