The article analyses developments in German union policy in the metal sector in the light of economic and contextual changes which characterised the 90s and the effects produced on industrial relations. The consequences of the partial loss of union power have become evident with the rise in derogations on the collective agreements and in the impossibility of their «automatic» application in the enterprises. The most recent example of this deterioration is represented by the signing of the collective contract called «Pforzheim» in 2004, made possible by the considerable pressure posed by the possibility to export production sites thereby saddling with productivity and competitively costs , not only in terms of wages but also working times.only subscribers can see the full article

The paper analyses the relationship between life and working times and the transformations that have occurred in the passage from the Fordist, post-Fordist to today’s «globalised» society. The main contradictions that stem from the requirements for hyper-flexibility of working hours (synchronisation and desynchronisation, relocation of temporal rigidity and life quality, uncertainty, market risk and precariousness, the need for emergent security and the crisis of the system of guarantees) are listed. The matter of temporal flexibility is placed in relation to the other three dimensions of work flexibility: functional, numerical, wage. Some policy-making implications are developed from the concept of sustainable flexibility.only subscribers can see the full article

The paper examines legislation on working time in Europe, with particular reference to Community norms and their recent modification proposals, and to some countries in the European Union (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Uk). The analysis conducted highlights, on the one hand, the inherent weaknesses of the former especially regarding worker protection standards and the possibility of derogation. On the other hand, after having examined the fundamental institutes of national norms, the author concludes by noting the weak influence of Eu norms on legislation in member states, indeed they seem to undermine current protection measures.only subscribers can see the full article

The article examines the results of the application of law 30/03 in the light of trends in subsequent collective bargaining and the results of decisions made by the Cgil on the matter. Remarks are given on some inquiries conducted by Istat and other institutes on the influence of measures introduced by law 30 on the Italian labour market. The results obtained highlight that bargaining has mostly complied with the indications set by Cgil and that hints at a general weakening of Italian occupation are becoming visible, due mainly to the increasing rate of forward contracts, especially in the case of female occupation. It is thus necessary to radically modify current legislation.only subscribers can see the full article

The paper analyses the quality of work in Italy in relation to the temporal dimension from the results of an Isfol inquiry on the matter. With reference to the satisfaction expressed by the workers on quality perceived in the workplace, the characteristics of working time (duration, regularity, atypical work hours, etc.) are analysed in relation to type of employment (temporary versus permanent, subordinate versus self-employment) and other aspects of occupation. Furthermore, the relationship between working time and other existential aspects (along with the related problems and perception of conciliation) in relation to the various living conditions and use of free time (family relations, social commitments, leisure activities and so on) is examined.only subscribers can see the full article