Parties to Co-Operation

The parties to co-operation are the employer and the employees of the company. Co-operation and continuous dialogue are primarily realized representatively between the employer and the employee representative. Co-operation may also take place between the employer and an individual employee. Employee groups may be represented by a shop steward elected in accordance with the collective agreement or an employee representative elected on the basis of the Employment Contracts Act. The employees may also opt to elect a special co-operation representative. If the matters to be dealt with in change negotiations concern several different employee groups, it may be agreed that the matters will be dealt with in one joint meeting.

Direct co-operation means co-operation between the superiors of the place of work and the employees, which deals with matters relating to the employment and operation of the working community. In practice this is undertaken by arranging joint meetings and discussions at the place of work. Direct co-operation is a part of the normal procedures at the place of work, the supervision of work and good management.

For representative co-operation, companies and organizations may have a separate co-operation organ to which the employees elect their own representatives. The employees are usually represented by the occupational safety and health representatives and shop stewards.

It is also possible to agree upon a special committee and the matters to be dealt with in there on a regular basis. The establishment of a committee may be sensible in large companies where co-operation matters are dealt with frequently.