Trust – a Key to Stronger Industrial Relations in Czechia?

August 27, 2025

On Thursday, August 21, CELSI researchers Monika Martišková and Adam Šumichrast presented new research findings on trust in social dialogue in Czechia at a webinar organised by the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (Českomoravská konfederace odborových svazů – ČMKOS).

Trust is the cornerstone of effective collective bargaining. Yet, its absence often complicates negotiations, weakens workers’ positions, and slows progress in improving working conditions. At the webinar, CELSI researchers Monika Martišková and Adam Šumichrast discussed with participants:

What role does foreign ownership of companies play in wage and working condition negotiations?

What are the common sources of conflict – and where can we find common ground?

How strong is trust between social partners in Czechia (Slovakia), compared to Europe?

What types of trust exist, and how can they be used in practice?

The research results originated as part of the international project TRUE EUROPE, which explores trust in industrial relations across eight European countries and three sectors – industry, banking & finance, and transport. Learn more about the project: https://true-europe.celsi.sk/

Country report from Czechia: https://true-europe.celsi.sk/…/05/TRUE-Europe_Czechia.pdf

Country report from Slovakia: https://true-europe.celsi.sk/…/05/TRUE-Europe_Slovakia.pdf

The project will soon conclude with a Final Conference, where comparative insights will be presented and discussed with researchers, trade union and employer representatives, and European policymakers.

Interested in attending the Final Conference? Find all the details here: https://forms.gle/JZQbrE1qL3nAnDRn8

#TrueEurope #TrueEuropeProject #IndustrialRelations #SocialDialogue #CollectiveBargaining

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