FOLLOW-UP EPSU Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining Conference, 5 March 2007

FOLLOW-UP

EPSU Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining Conference

As part of the Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining in the Public Services - a web-based Resource Project

5 March 2007, 9.00-16.30 International Trade Union House - Meeting Room B 5 Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 1210 Brussels

In recent years we have used a collective bargaining working group early in the year to review the success of the collective bargaining conference and to advise on plans for future work, including arrangements for the next collective bargaining conference (3-4 December 2007).

We have drafted quite an ambitious agenda for the next working group. This reflects the fact that we need to take stock of where we are after developing a number of areas of collective bargaining policy and that we need to start thinking strategically about the debate at the next EPSU Congress and our collective bargaining work thereafter.

The two main items for discussion will be:

social dialogue and collective bargaining conference - assessment and review both of the conference and progress in developing our sources of information on collective bargaining on the website, particularly the country profiles of collective bargaining systems linked to the database;
chance to comment on the draft annual report on social dialogue and collective bargaining;
a review of amendments to the draft EPSU policy documents on young workers and migrant workers, update on other collective bargaining policies and identification of key points in policy on sustainable development;
consideration of draft conference programme for 2007 and in particular special session on future of industrial relations in the public services;
discussion of draft ETUC resolution on collective bargaining for the ETUC Congress and review of developments around the optional framework for transnational collective agreements;
first discussion of draft collective bargaining resolution for EPSU Congress;
pensions - update on developments on the portability directive and indication of arrangements for pensions seminar in June.

As this is a packed agenda we are proposing a longer meeting than normal, beginning at 9:00 and ending at 16:30.

Practical details

The working group is aimed specifically at participants in the December conference and members of EPSU’s collective bargaining network.

We would particularly encourage affiliates to help us improve the gender balance at this event by nominating women delegates.

Interpretation has been requested to and from English, Czech, Italian and German. You will also be able to speak but not listen to French.

The Conference will take place in Meeting Room B of the International Trade Union House, 5 Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 1210 Brussels, from 9:00 to 16:30 on Monday 5 March 2007.

EPSU expects affiliated unions to cover the travel and accommodation expenses of their participants.

European Commission funding means that financial assistance is available for a limited number of delegates from the New Member States and Candidate Countries. It will be up to the affiliates in those countries to agree who should apply for financial assistance. In case of questions please do not hesitate to contact the secretariat.

A hotel list offering preferential tariffs to EPSU/ETUC is attached.

Please return the enclosed participation form to the EPSU Secretariat by 16 February 2007 at the latest. Thank you.