Abstract

This article examines the evolution of framework agreements concluded by the central management of transnational businesses and international and/or European Trade Unions. These framework agreements are regarded as a phenomenon which contributes to explain the effects of globalization on the individual protection of employees as well as on Trade Unions, whose bargaining power is weakened by the increasing transnational competition between businesses. The Author observes that the dynamism of Trade Unions at international level has allowed to strengthen Trade Union's connection at both global and local level. In the meantime, the "new generation" of IFAs, adaptable to transnational businesses' different specificities, have contributed to establish and recognize duties which are note merely formal, thereby strengthening the control tools. According to the author, transnational agreements contribute to fight the social dumping, though it is still far from clear their effectiveness beyond the national dimension.