Transfer stimulates dialogue between the European trade union movement and the academic and research community. It contributes research findings on issues of strategic relevance for trade unions, in particular with regard to developments at the European level. Transfer publishes original peer-reviewed research on issues such as new developments in industrial relations, social policy, and labour market developments.
Volume 9 Issue 4, Winter 2003
The spring 1998 issue of TRANSFER looked forward to the ‘Final steps towards the euro’. At the start of 1999 exchange rates between the currencies of the 11 countries participating in European Monetary Union were irrevocably fixed. A year later Greece became the 12th member country of the euro area. At the start of 2001 notes and coins were finally introduced, making the euro a tangible reality for more than 300 million European citizens. Now, at the end of 2003, we are able to look back on almost five years’ experience with ‘euroland’. This issue of TRANSFER looks at developments in the main policy areas, reviews the debates and policy changes, and examines the political processes that have been initiated to meet the challenges posed by the euro for the European institutions, national governments and, not least, the trade unions.