Sweden - Using algorithms to improve bargaining outcomes - December 31, 2018

A union researcher is developing an algorithm that can help unions predict several facts that could influence bargaining outcomes. Trade union Unionen, where the union researcher works, has a massive database of information coming from member looking for advice or reporting problems. Based on their behaviour in the past, there can be detected certain patterns in the behaviour of specific companies. The data can also help to get a broader picture of labour market developments. If the economy is for example going to shrink, the algorithm will be able to predict which sectors will be likely to start laying people off or making pay cuts. Knowing this kind of information on forehand can make it easier to allocate adequate union capacity to the sectors or companies and to improve bargaining outcomes.

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For more information, please contact the editor Jan Cremers or Sanne van der Gaag, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies (AIAS) cbn-aias@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Willy De Backer wdebacker@etui.org © ETUI