ABSTRACT:In this paper, the author traces the course of the collective bargaining process in Italy and Europe, and looks in particular at the aspect of its centralisation and decentralisation.It begins with a historical background of this process and examines organizational and institutional alternatives which may limit or redimension this bargaining system in the face of more or less centralisation. It continues by outlining the institutionalisation of this system in Europe, and then by examining the effects which technological innovation and economic recession have had on it.Several hypotheses as to possible alternatives with regard to centralisation/decentralisation, convergence or divergence of the bargaining system are formulated on the basis of the preceding data, and looks at the difficulties now facing this system.Finally, the role of the state and the law with regard to collective bargaining is discussed and some general observations are made.