Collective bargaining in multinational firms

• Project promoter: National Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność”

• Project partner: Norwegian Trade Union Confederation: LO

• Duration: 24 m-ths: 01.01.2013 – 31.12.2014

• Budget: 477 394 EUR

• Grant from Norway: 426 669 EUR

General objective:

Development and dissemination of methods supporting collective bargaining

in private sector

Supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, in the frame of the Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Program

Supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, in the frame of the Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Program

PROJECT RESULTS PLANNED REACHED

Research report PL and EN 1 + 1 1 + 1

- companies covered 80 81

- interviews 800 681

Guide on collective bargaining in Norway 1 1

training program on collective bargaining 1 2

Union trainers prepared 14 14

Union leaders trained 116 187

Good practises on collective bargaining: a collection 0 1

A book on trade union and collective bargaining in the world of the global companies

1 in development

Research report in NO 1 in development

Cross cutting issues

Sustainability: the project was designed to explain the importance and role of effective collective bargaining system in the social and economic development of a country. This concept was consequently introduced to the participants of the courses and it was delivered in the report and the book.

Gender equality: gender issues were introduced as one of the possible new areas to be included in the collective bargaining. Also participation of women in the project courses was fostered.

Supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, in the frame of the Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Program

Partnership with LO

• Never left with no help• A lot of support • A lot of understanding• Nothing like a problem that could not been helped • LO’s experts and their knowledge and professional experience always

available

• A Lesson learnt: summer holidays are sacred

Supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, in the frame of the Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Program

Obstacles

• Problems with sending the application (it „disappeared” between the computers)

Once we started: time & money

• Original project implementation plan – too ambitious, in two major tasks delays occurred: no „space” for unexpected developments, ie. illness etc.,

• Delay in accomplishment of project tasks – shift in payments = lower costs – decrease in the next disbursement

• Norwegian: a very expensive language

Supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, in the frame of the Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Program

Norway grants: Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue

Better flexibility in all aspects of project realization and management:

• Changes in the activities costs: reasonable accepted by Innovation Norway with no delay

• Minimum bureaucracy

• Perfect communication/contact between IN and project promoter: e-mails and texts if necessary; immediate

+/- the rules for the use of the public procurement national regulations not „crystal clear” in Polish case ( various interpretations)

Supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, in the frame of the Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Program

Systematic difference in program management approach:

1. Better flexibility: tailor cut activities „The devil’s in the detail.”

2. Main focus on project objectives and results: whatever improves the results and objectives is welcomed ( even if not foreseen before)

3. Easier to reach and enhance the desired effects of the project.

Supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, in the frame of the Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Program

Systematic difference in the base logic of the program:

1. Clearly defined „social partner”

2. Funding for SOCIAL PARTNERS

3. Funding to reinforce DECENT WORK

Supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, in the frame of the Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Program

What might be improved:

Reporting – technical aspects:90% (of the incurred costs) disbursement: not possible to avoid the „money gap”

Another solution: IF min. XX% of the planned costs has been achieved in the reporting period

THEN up to 90% of the planned costs for the next RP may be asked for

Activity based budget – form of the table – any budget change requires very careful „analogue” check of each line – tiring and time consuming

Supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, in the frame of the Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue Program