The trade union movement and equal pay – problems, priorities, and fi ghts of interpretation

Abstract

When it comes to the question of equal pay between men and women, wage concepts and statistics are being used as weapons in a contest of interpretation.. This was documented in Denmark when the report of an official “Wage Commission” was published in Spring 2010. In this article, different positions and interests underlying strategies in relation to the question of equal pay have been recorded following a research strategy of interviewing key decision-makers in Danish craft based trade unions. Quite opposite positions and interest interpretations have been documented. Equal pay has been marginalized by the social partners during long periods of Danish labour market history. The social partners – together with state representatives – have tried to avoid the influence in this respect from ILO and the EU conventions and directives. Key decision-makers who advocate a voluntary regulatory practice without political intervention known as “the Danish Model” seek to avoid clear definitions of equal pay. However, during recent years the issue of equal pay has moved upwards on the political agenda. This is, among other things, a result of a comprehensive and long industrial conflict in the public sector during spring 2008. During this process, the contest of interpretation has intensified.