Samenvatting

The authors give an insight into the Spanish developments in ADR in the recent years of economic crisis. The crisis has led to a fuller activation of the Spanish ADR system. The larger number of mediation processes is clearly related to the difficulties collective bargaining is going through. As a result of the latest liberal reform which decentralises collective bargaining, a new crack has opened in the overall system: since September 2012 there is regulation on the functioning of the National Consultative Committee for Collective Agreements, granting it the authority to solve any dispute arising between the undertaking and workers’ representatives regarding total or partial opting-out of the collective agreement. Furthermore, regions without an ADR system in place should forward such disputes in their territory to the Committee.