Trade unions have played a defining role in Polish history, but globally many are facing declining membership and struggling to adapt to rapid changes in the labour market. While some jurisdictions maintain strong union traditions, others see unions losing influence despite increasingly sophisticated statutory protections.

This session explores why these differences exist and what drives the overall drop in union membership. Are unions adapting quickly enough to challenges such as AI, hybrid work reducing physical presence and organisational opportunities, shifting workforce identities, diversity considerations and the expectations of younger generations? How does the tension between collective agreements and the growing focus on individualised solutions impact their relevance?

We will examine how multinational employers can navigate diverse systems of industrial relations across borders, and whether the traditional union role remains crucial – or how it must evolve – to stay relevant in a fragmented and digitally transforming world. Furthermore, the session questions whether the traditional union role is still crucial and explores unions’ future significance.