[random5634]

I actually know a bit about the german union model.

A couple of factors - the overall labor force is pretty highly educated and skilled - so less free riding overall.

Strong social safety net - so folks not suited to a job have a place to land with health care etc.

a MUCH more cooperate relationship with management -> the unions in Germany at least also want productivity / common sense stuff.

In the US, you can have totally illogical and inefficient work rules and unions will keep them on purpose just to drive up bargaining power, even though it hurts everyone (ie, being able to no show for work with no call etc).

Not all of europe is the same. The french unions have a different approach than german unions etc.

[j_walter]

When I refer to the European model I'm probably talking about the German model. Many years ago the articles I was reading had been going over the VW union so it was likely Germany. The cooperation part and inefficiencies you mention are exactly the problem. Here in the US the union and company are enemies that battle each other...and like you say illogical rules that just benefit the union.

[random5634]

That's a bit of a special case as well - historically overall good relationship even when there were cuts / restructuring in 2017.

Situation is very different in places like greece / italy / france even with much more militant unions and more protectionism for sectors. So it's def not EU wide.

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“I cannot complain about the cooperation with the works council,” VW brand chief executive Herbert Diess said at a news conference, citing “very constructive” dealings with the unions.

VW’s mass-market brand has been undergoing heavy restructuring since it agreed with the works council on plans to cut 3.7 billion euros ($4.41 billion) of costs per year from 2020 and slash 23,000 jobs in Germany via natural attrition.

[j_walter]

Unfortunately the US auto unions try to capitalize on the good nature and cooperation of the VW union to say that they should unionize the VW plant in Kentucky or Tennessee (I think that was where it was). Saying that VW has unions already so it would be no different...except everyone that knows anything knows better.

Greece has terrible unions, but many of those seem to be the public unions like teachers and transportation workers.