The continuation of early austerity measures: the special case of Germany. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keller, Berndt
• Is Part Of: Transfer. Volume 20:Number 3(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 387
• Page End: 402
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Employment relations -- public sector -- municipalities -- austerity measures; Labor movement -- Europe -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- Europe -- Periodicals; 331.09405
• DOI: 10.1177/1024258914538192
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1024-2589

Abstract

The article deals with the consequences of austerity measures at municipal level in Germany. The first part describes the institutional framework, looking at the development and structure of employment, legal peculiarities, financial conditions and their more recent developments. The second part analyses employment relations, including employers' organizations and unions, the collective bargaining structure and recent changes to it as well as measures of privatization. Finally, some preliminary conclusions are listed. From a comparative perspective, Germany constitutes a special case, with austerity measures having been initiated and causing lasting job losses long before the financial and debt crisis.