The EPSU-led trade union delegation meets EU Directors General for Public Administration, 10 June 2005, Mondorf-les-Bains, Luxembourg
A 24-strong trade union delegation led by Peter Waldorff, President of the EPSU Standing Committee on national administrations, met with the EU Directors General for public administration (DsG) on 10 June.
“As recognised by the EU Ministers for civil service the ball is now in the camp of the DsG to assume their responsibilities as employers of 50 million workers to move the social dialogue forward. While we are not yet near a formal social dialogue, today’s meeting shows that thanks to our new united trade union front there is much scope for an improved cooperation on a number of issues. The emphasis in the EU DsG 2006-2007 programme on the Lisbon strategy and human resources management is yet again a clear example that the opt-out from social dialogue is not an option. These are issues that matter to our members and we look forward to working closely with the British Presidency and the Troika to prepare the next meeting with trade unions on 6 December “ said Peter Walforff.
The meeting took place following 2-day &1/2 meetings of EU Ministers and Directors General who adopted a new work programme and a set of resolutions. Its objectives were to report back to the trade unions on the latter and discuss the functioning of the European sectoral social dialogue and its potential for national administrations.
Peter Waldorff on behalf of the trade union delegation welcomed the Ministers Resolution adopted on 8 June that gives due recognition of the progress achieved on the trade union side to constitute a single and united delegation. The resolutions also mandate the directors General to examine how the employers can participate in the social dialogue.
While recognising that social dialogue is central to progressive national administrations, the chair Pierre Neyens, Luxembourg DG, said it was unlikely the employers will move as fast as the trade union side. It was a political decision and a number of differences first need be ironed out between the directors General.
John Barker, UK DG, reconfirmed his intention to organize a meeting with the trade unions. It was however unnecessary to move to a formal social dialogue “Why can’t we keep the informal dialogue going as it is now? “ he said.
In contrast Mr Monard, Belgian DG, said it was important to negotiate agreements at EU level rather than waiting for EU legislation being imposed on national administration. As the unanimously adopted Ministers’ resolution indicates “the question is no longer if there should be a social dialogue but how it can be moved forward” he said.
Speech by Peter Waldorff, Spokesperson of the trade union delegation in national administration
Mid-Term programme 2006-2007 for cooperation between the Directors General responsible for Public Administration in the EU Member States (EN/FR)
12th Meeting of European Ministers responsible for Public Administration, Mondorf-Les-Bains, 8 June 2005 - Resolutions (EN/FR)
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