"This article studies the current malaise of German industrial relations in the face of increased international competition, regional economic integration, the cost of unification and high unemployment. This article contends that the difficulties faced by Modell Deutschland are reflected in a growing tension between works councils and trade union interests. The argument is based on a longitudinal study of changes in working time patterns at the very successful German automobile producer, BMW, as well as a discussion of ‘open clauses' and plant-level deviations from collective agreements, mainly in the metalworking sector but not exclusively."

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