Resumen de Innovative agreements on equal oppportunities: new horizons of collective bargaining?
The project revealed a broad and impressive range of innovative and encouraging equal opportunities agreements and provisions. In light of the concept of 'mainstreaming' and seeing equal opportunities as a strategic issue related to all aspects of the work organisation, the most far-reaching provisions are on organisational cultureslstructures, continuing with provisions focused on job access and the elimination of sex segregation in recruitment, promotion and training. Closely linked to these measures challenging gender hierarchies are provisions on pay equity. Provisions on sexual harassment are a new element in collective agreements covering the working environment. All these measures on improving gender equality in working life are complimented by collective bargaining on reconciliation of work and family life, covering issues such as parental leave, family leave, child care and adaptation of working time arrangements. These encouraging examples demonstrate how collective bargaining can promote equal opportunities. In addition, the innovative potential of equal opportunities agreements and provisions can be a promising stimulus to traditional bargaining.
