Despite the increasing presence of interest groups at the European level, studies highlight that labour unions use familiar routes at national level where policies tend to be considered more important to such groups (i.e. welfare and social policies). Researchers also find that the European Commission is fairly autonomous in developing its interests and seeks support from interests that agree with its preferences. As a consequence, labour unions are not always consulted with regards to issues of liberalisation. In addition, extensive literature claims that the European Union has close to ‘unlimited resources’ for negative integration due to asymmetries towards liberalisation in the treaties. Given such circumstances, the labour unions are not likely to succeed in their objectives through current European decision-making processes. However, an in-depth analysis of the decision-making process of the proposal for a directive on market access and financing of maritime ports in the EU (the Port Directive) suggests that the failure of consulting powerful labour unions may politicise the process, thereby increasing the resistance to liberalisation reform. There are two key conclusions to draw from the findings in the proposed paper: Firstly, when labour unions are able to mobilise at European level, thereby causing ‘fear’ among employers with economic ramifications, initiatives of liberalisation are more likely not to succeed at the European Union. Secondly, when the European Commission is unaware of the extensive disruption it creates by launching an initiative without prior consultation and rejecting modifications as endorsed by the Council and the Parliament, a policy is likely not to be decided on.
