With the new structure of the work within the ETUI-REHS, the Research Department has the task and obligation to conduct scientific research and provide expertise to the ETUC, supporting the global aspects of the work of the ETUI-REHS. The collaboration between the ETUI-REHS and especially its Research Department and the ETUC will build on the same premises of interdependence and intellectual autonomy as was the case during the last 26 years when ETUI was an institute of its own. Close collaboration is needed in order to help the ETUC, the industry federations and the national affiliates to act as social partners, to develop activities and gain influence. This is the place for action oriented research and expertise. At the same time it is recognized that only intellectual independent research and analysis can be of value for the ETUC and for other stakeholders as well, and the work of the ETUI-REHS Research Department builds on this arms' length principle as well as the interpretation of the research needs of the trade union world.

Activities

The concrete day-to-day work of the ETUI-REHS is to be seen as the 'heart beat' of the Institute. Its knowledge and skill components will, in total, define the Institute's competences, and, if it is to achieve its goals in the framework of its general aims, these competences and capabilities must be permanently developed and enriched.

The research activities and the different kinds of support delivered are based on three components: firstly, multidisciplinary work, often carried out in teams composed of people with different professional background and experiences; secondly, networks of national experts and trade union representatives assisting the ETUI-REHS Research Department in ways prescribed by the Institute and its staff; and, thirdly, activities organized by our staffsuch as conferences, workshops and trade union meetings.

The main activities will include:

a) monitoring major European developments of importance to workers and the European trade union movement;
b) collecting, storing and providing data and information on policy areas of relevance to the European trade union movement;
c) conducting multidisciplinary and intellectually independent research on topics of importance to the European trade union movement and publishing the results of this research in books, reviews, reports and recommendations;
d) disseminating the results of this work at conferences and seminars;
e) establishing European networks of researchers, research bodies and universities in the field of industrial relations;
f) improving cooperation between the European trade union movement and academic institutions and research institutes;

This list is, of course, by no means exhaustive. The Institute is permitted by its Statutes to engage in all forms of activity of relevance to the achievement of the aims of the ETUI-REHS Research Department.

The research activities form the basis for the development of knowledge, expertise and policy advice. The research dimension of the Institute is fundamental to the realization of its mission and this aspect of its work will be performed in ways that also contribute to a bridging of the trade union world and the academic world. At the same time, the Institute will help promote Community initiatives by means of exchange of information, information campaigns, reports and expertise, and will help implement such initiatives by stimulating and developing networks of trade union experts and representatives of the trade union organizations involved.

Programme Areas 2005-2006

The concrete research activities of the Research Department will be organized in three programme areas, specialized fields of inquiries that can change over time. The programme areas that will exist in the Research Department during 2005 and 2006 are the following:

a) The world of labour and the modernization of trade unions
b) Europeanization of workers' representation
c) European employment and social policies

The ETUI-REHS is financially supported by the European Commission.