Austerity and social dialogue in French local government

Abstract

International audienceThis article investigates whether and how social dialogue has influenced austerity policies in French local government, with a particular focus on municipalities. With regard to local government staff, social dialogue takes place at two levels, with wage and general rules being discussed at national level and working conditions and individual career issues at local level. National-level measures, as in many countries, have included unilateral wage freezes. However, though staff reductions have already occurred in the state administration, they have not (yet) affected municipalities. As seen in our case study, when it comes to local-level austerity measures such as cuts in services and restructuring measures, we are witnessing a situation of real bargaining – including conflict and formalized agreements. Even if not leading to official collective agreements, this strengthens the role of formal committees and suggests the potential resilience of social dialogue linked to the proximity of decision-making authorities and affected citizens

Economic crisis and municipal public service employment: comparing developments in seven EU Member States

“…This ideological orientation, as Neumann et al (2014) argue, explains such measures as the centralization of decision-making power and resources, the erosion of trade union rights and 330Transfer 20(3) the transfer of former municipality-provided public services to church-based institutions. A final telling example is France (see Jeannot, 2014), where the newly elected President Sarkozy decided on austerity measures in 2007 but resorted to Keynesian rather than austerity policies when the economic crisis set in. Political discourse more or less negated 'austerity' until the 2012 elections and municipal public employment was not affected until 2013.…”

“…A final telling example is France (see Jeannot, 2014), where the newly elected President Sarkozy decided on austerity measures in 2007 but resorted to Keynesian rather than austerity policies when the economic crisis set in. Political discourse more or less negated 'austerity' until the 2012 elections and municipal public employment was not affected until 2013.…”