ABSTRACT
Almost universally, trade unions in Europe (and globally) are on the defensive, having suffered a decline in membership, in public status and in effectiveness in achieving their core objectives. There has been widespread discussion of the need for modernisation, revitalisation and renewal (Hälker and Vellay 2006). With their involvements in both formal organisational links and informal networking at European level, union policy-makers have paid increasing attention to experience in other countries.
