The impact of German unification on the German industrial relations system

The paper places the institutional transfer of employers’ associations and trade unions from west to east in the framework of the systems concept of industrial relations. In response to the social and economic consequences of unification, industrial relations in the east have been subject to significant adjustments from the social partnership model in the west. Works councils in east Germany have expanded their role and developed co‐operative relationships with management, leading to the establishment of micro‐corporatism at plant level. This has, however, evolved in an interlocking configuration between works councils and the existing arrangements the collective bargaining partners have at sectoral/industry level.