Quote Originally Posted by drone
One question for the Euros here: How do unions and their contracts mesh with the social security and health care systems of the nation? Unions here negotiate for pensions, health plans, and other benefits, as well as salary. Do European unions add to existing national health care benefits, or do they mainly negotiate salary? The most publicized complaint from the auto industry is the burden of the retirement/health care costs that manufacturers in other nations don't have to worry about. Are they just blowing smoke, or do they have a point?
I'm pretty sure we use standardized rates for that stuff here in Finland. Sorta like the tax on goods really. Not sure though, haven't had a reason to find out.

'Course, different countries have different systems. Remember that the EU alone has 27 member states already, and not all European states are in it either... We got a lot of countries in a fairly small geographical area here.