MEASURING UNION BARGAINING POWER IN THE ESTONIAN PUBLIC SECTOR

This paper analyzes the impact of trade unions on remuneration in the Estonian public sector. In this paper, union bargaining power is investigated separately in healthcare, education and culture and the public service using a case study approach. The method elaborated by the author uses documentation from branch level negotiations in the period 2001–2005. The analysis reveals that unions do have an impact on remuneration in the Estonian public sector. The influence is greater in healthcare, less in education and culture, and ambiguous in the public service where social dialogue does not really work. The most important factors of union influence turn out to be the political and legal environment (the right to strike), funding schemes and the bargaining structure (the existence and stability of an employers’ union, the number of wage levels bargained, the clarity with which parties represent their positions).