23/05/2007 1:41:22 pm
European Weakness. Senior officials at the European Court of Justice today announced their recommendation for a verdict on the case of free mobility versus trade union power. They say that the free mobility of labour in the single market is not automatically a principle that overrides claims by trade unions concerning, for example, collective bargaining.

On the one hand, it might be seen as a great weakness that the EU seems to be unable to defend one of its core principles. On the other hand, they do emphasise the need for proportionality on the actions by trade unions. And - most importantly - this makes these issues all national. It is up to national politicians to set the rules for the labour market and for trade unions.

The latter point means that trade unions cannot claim that the EU has taken any power from them. It also means that there will be institutional competition in labour markets between EU countries. And the most successful countries will be those that defend a free labour market and free mobility.

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