[peterbozso]

While the thing about unions is generally true in the European Union, universally it isn't. Take Hungary (where I am from) as an example. Trade unions there are practically non-existent. Most of them got destroyed by the state during the mismanaged adaptation of capitalism after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The ones remaining are a shadow at best (in terms of power) of what's there in Austria or Germany.

The rest I wholeheartedly agree with! (Waving from Vienna, oida!) My comment here is purely just for additional context. :)

[d1sxeyes]

Very true, but workers’ rights are still generally held in higher regard than in a lot of other countries… more due to begrudging compliance with EU directives than anything else, but it could be worse.

Maternity leave is very good, paternity leave recently improved, laws on overtime are relatively strict (although somewhat loosened since the “slave law”) shift allowances are decent, rules around notice periods, probation periods and termination are all relatively fair.

It’s also true in the (admittedly-no-longer-EU) UK that unions are fairly weak nowadays except in very specific industries, such as the railways, public sector, etc.