Trade unions and the demographic challenge: Their role in pension system and work life reforms

How have trade unions in Germany, Norway and Sweden been affected by pension and workplace reforms made necessary by demographic challenges? The study shows that in Norway, unions were involved in both processes through tripartite alliances, whereas in Germany and Sweden, unions were largely excluded from participation in the pension reform process, making them unsuccessful in their defensive strategies. However, in Germany tripartite network building supported social partners and works councils locally in work life reforms; in Sweden, such work is largely through bipartite negotiation. The difference between countries seems to reflect their respective history of corporative alliances.