MAG 2026-1. Authors: Emilie Rademakers (Universiteit Utrecht – Faculteit Recht, Economie, Bestuur en Organisatie), Mery Ferrando, Anna Salomons (Tilburg University – Tilburg School of Economics and Management)
Collective labor agreements (CLAs) shape wages and working conditions for millions of workers in the Netherlands. Yet little is known about whether the composition of bargaining teams affects the policies they negotiate. This project investigates whether the representation of women in bargaining teams influences CLA policies, workplace equality, safety, and employee well-being. We will compile a novel dataset linking negotiator biographies, CLAs, and administrative records from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) from 2006-2025. By comparing negotiations with different shares of female negotiators, we study whether gender composition affects negotiated provisions such as flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and anti-harassment policies. We then examine whether these provisions translate into labor market outcomes, including gender pay gaps and promotions, and broader outcomes such as the prevalence of workplace harassment and workforce mental well-being. The study will provide the first systematic evidence on whether increasing women’s representation in labor negotiations promotes workplace equality.
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