At the first CELSI Frontiers Seminar of the year, the CELSI team discussed the role of public procurement in strengthening collective bargaining.

On Friday, January 31, CELSI researchers Marta Kahancová and Simona Brunnerová presented their research paper titled "Creating public value in hostile conditions: socially responsible public procurement and collective bargaining in Poland and Slovakia."

It explores the link between public procurement and collective bargaining through the concept of public value, which encompasses both economic and social responsibility on the part of the procurer.

The idea stems from the European trade union federation UNI Europa and ETUI's initiative to introduce a requirement that only companies with existing collective agreements can be awarded public contracts.

Drawing on original empirical data from urban public transportation in Slovakia and private security and cleaning services in Poland, the paper argues that identical public procurement conditions can lead to differing collective bargaining outcomes - supporting bargaining in one instance while constraining it in another.

Thanks to the entire team for your feedback, suggestions, and insightful discussions on the broader issue of public procurement and collective bargaining.