Öffnungsklauseln – Instrument zur Krisenbewältigung oder Steigerung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit?

Peter Ellguth and Susanne Kohaut

WSI-Mitteilungen, 2014, vol. 67, issue 6, 439-449

Abstract: In the past decades an increasing amount of flexibility has been introduced into the German collective bargaining system. In spite of heated discussion during the initial phase, opening clauses found their way into most of the collective agreements. Using data from the IAB Establishment Panel, we analyse the characteristics of firms that implement these means to deviate from collectively agreed standards. We differentiate two scenarios for the use of opening clauses: coping with economic crises, and improving competitiveness. In our estimations we identify variables that increase the probability of either remuneration- or working-time related opening clauses being adopted. Our results confirm this twofold approach. Opening clauses that deal with remuneration issues are adopted in establishments with poor profitability, problems with wage costs and uncertain prospects. Opening clauses on working time are applied to enable further flexibility measures.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.5771/0342-300X-2014-6-439

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