This study is concerned with the development of a theoretical model of the interaction between firms and trade union in determining wages and employment. In a two-step process the union and firm determine wages and capital stock, conditional on which the firm decides on production factors of employment, working hours and capital operating time. This paper suggests the use of a panel data approach applied to manufacturing data. A dynamic model is specified in which the optimal levels of the variables of interest and the speed of their adjustments are modelled in terms of observable policy variables. ©2004 Taylor and Francis Ltd.