The aim of this article is to discuss the co-ordination process of employment policies provided by the Treaty of Amsterdam so as to assess its impact on labour law and industrial relations. It maintains that the 'Luxembourg Process' is producing side-effects by determining the re-regulation of labour market arrangements and, more in general, modernising the legal framework of industrial relations. The main conclusion confirms the European Union's adoption of the so-called 'European social model', although collective bargaining and, overall, industrial relations will be required to pay increased attention to a job creation function. It is argued that a modernisation of labour law and industrial relations will continue, since the 'Luxembourg Process' will not cease to heavily influence the action of both Governments and social parties.
International Journal of Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations