Current restructuring developments in local government

This background paper uses recent findings from two observatories of the European Foundation for the Improvement and Living Conditions (Eurofound); the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) and the European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) – as well as Eurostat data, to examine trends in compensation for public employees (in particular, local government workers), employment levels and employment relations issues within the state sector. The main focus is on developments over the period of the economic crisis – that is, from 2008 to the present (Spring 2010) – in the 27 EU Member States (EU27) and Norway, but with reference where relevant to earlier material.