The European Sectoral Social Dialogue and the Graphical Industry

The European Commission and the ETUC have outlined policies to strengthen the sectoral level of European industrial relations, but the social dialogue has developed in only a limited number of sectors. This article examines some theoretical arguments which may contribute to a better understanding of the motives of industrial relations actors for participation in social dialogue and collective bargaining at the European level. These arguments will be used to explain why no social dialogue has been initiated in the graphical sector, and what this absence implies for the prospects of the Europeanization of collective bargaining in the sector.