In this paper we apply standard cartel theory to identify the major institutional stabilizers of Germany's area tariff system of collective bargaining between a single industry union and the industry's employers association. Our cartel analysis allows us to demonstrate that recent labor policy...

Relocation of production to countries with low labour cost have induced increased labour market flexibility, which has been praised as a silver bullet for economic growth and low unemployment. Within a unionised oligopoly framework, in which a multi-national firm has the option to relocate its...

Der Lohnfindungsprozess in Deutschland ist einem starken Wandel unterworfen, denn das Flächentarifsystem befindet sich auf dem Rückzug. Stattdessen gewinnen Individualarbeitsverträge sowie konkurrierende und berufsständische Kollektivverträge an Bedeutung. Politik und Rechtsprechung...

This paper offers a cartel explanation for the stability of German collective bargaining institutions.We show that a dense net of legal safeguards has been yarned around the wage setting cartel. These measures make deviation by cartel insiders less attractive and simultaneously erect entry...