While it can be said that the use of collective labour agreements has greatly expanded during the last decade witness their growing application in the public sector, and their introduction in many post-communist countries it is hard to deny that their power to protect employees has diminished considerably and continues to weaken. An understanding of the factors that have contributed to this fundamental change in economic and social conditions is of crucial significance if we are to preserve an equitable balance in the employer-employee relationship. A growing body of research and commentary...