Unions: The Emptiness of Global Agreements

Global union agreements are largely ineffective, prompting unions to seek legally binding regulations like the EU’s CSRD/CSDDD, though legislative momentum is now waning.

The Key Points: Global union agreements with multinational companies have proven largely ineffective, as highlighted by a recent case where the UNI union was denied access to a US plant despite such an agreement. Unions are now focusing on legally binding instruments like the EU’s CSRD and CSDDD, but momentum for these is waning.

Why This Matters: The failure of voluntary global agreements weakens union leverage and shifts the focus to enforceable legal standards. However, with EU enthusiasm for binding measures fading, unions face an uphill battle.

What Might Happen Next: Expect unions to continue lobbying for stronger, enforceable rights at both EU and international levels, though significant progress may be slow, especially with limited support from major economies. But it is now time to reassess the value of global agreements?

•  See UNI’s account of the matter here.