STUDY Trade Unions in Denmark CHRISTIAN LYHNE IBSEN October 2012 n Danish industrial relations are characterised by an absence of statutory regulation and a high degree of corporatism. Trade unions remain strong players in the Danish labour market due to their comparatively high unionisation rates and high collective bargaining coverage. n However, the trade union system is under immense pressure: In recent years»yel­low unions« have experienced gains in membership while the traditional unions are losing out. Whilst collective agreements are covering the majority of workplaces, relative gains of yellow unions typically not embarking on collective bargaining may weaken this main mechanism by which employment is regulated. Already, some»in­dependent employers« have shown less willingness to sign collective agreements. n The Danish political system has traditionally been regarded as highly corporatist meaning that trade unions and employers associations had privileged access to in­fluencing, designing and implementing policies affecting their members and the po ­litical economy in general. Different factors have been weakening the trade unions influence on policy-formulation since the 1980s. Lately, both tripartite negotiations on contentious issues like weekly working time as well as the rallying of unions be­hind political parties’ agendas may have become more difficult. International Trade Union Policy