[Excerpt] This is the fourth report on Industrial Relations in Europe. After the enlargement of the Union in 2004 and the integration of the new Member States into the Lisbon agenda it is of major importance to look again in this wider context at ways to develop the contributions social partners can deliver to reach the ambitious objective of the growth and jobs strategy. This aims to see Europe become the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy capable of sustainable development with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion – a global objective shared by all major actors on the labour market.