Production networks in many sectors have become increasingly fragmented. Cutting labour costs by lowering pay, increasing work intensity and/or shifting flexibility costs to workers are just some of the motivations for outsourcing. But it can also be used to circumvent employee representation and collective bargaining systems within companies, and labour market regulations in general. Though such intentions may not drive the bulk of outsourcing decisions, any change in company boundaries is likely to impact employment, working conditions and industrial relations in the value chain.

This edited volume focuses on the dynamics of outsourcing in Europe from the perspective of employees. In particular, it considers one insufficiently studied aspect: the impact of outsourcing on working conditions and employment relations in companies. The book also collects lessons learned from the efforts of employees and trade unions to shape outsourcing decisions, processes and their impact on employment and working conditions.

‘To face the outsourcing challenges unions need to be very strategic about how we organize – how can we leverage our bargaining power and relationships with clients? How can we reach agreements with the key outsourcing companies on workers’ rights? How can we develop innovative organising and bargaining strategies able to overcome the challenges we face? How can we campaign for improved legislation to protect and enhance decent work in contact centres? The papers presented in this volume help tackle these important questions.’

– Alan Tate, UNI Global Union

Free download of individual chapters and ordering of the printed version via http://www.worker-participation.eu/About-WP/What-s-new/New-book-by-the-ETUI-The-outsourcing-challenge.-Organizing-workers-across-fragmented-production-networks-edited-by-Jan-Drahokoupil