EPSU announces new European Social Dialogue Committee in the Natural Gas Sector
EPSU announces new European Social Dialogue Committee in the Natural Gas Sector
(Press Communication, 14 March, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) welcome the sectoral social dialogue committee in the Natural Gas sector, which will meet in Brussels on 15 March for the first time. The unions will meet the employers represented by Eurogas.
EPSU Deputy General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan comments: "The European Council 8-9 March took several decisions that have a profound impact on the European energy sector and implications for working and living conditions of workers which are largely ignored by the Commission. The European gas social dialogue gives more prominence to the social dimension while also contributing to the consideration of public service interests and the industrial, technological and environmental challenges facing the gas sector."
The committee will enable the social partners to have a direct formal input to EU policies affecting the sector, allowing them to contribute to consultations launched by the Commission on social policy. This could lead to European agreements, bringing real benefits to the workers they represent.
At the first, inaugural meeting, the social partners will adopt a joint work programme for 2007-2008 which will include monitoring employment developments in the sector, promoting high standards in terms of health and safety at work and identifying the most successful training solutions in the context of demographic changes and increased competition for highly skilled workers.
EPSU Section President for Public Utilities, Sven Bergelin of German union Ver.di points out two urgent issues for the gas sector: "One-size-fits all approaches of the Commission for example towards ownership unbundling might not be appropriate while security of supply issues and the relationship with major gas suppliers such as Gazprom demand careful consideration."
For further information, please contact Jan Willem Goudriaan, + 32 2 2501080 or epsu@epsu.org
“EPSU is the European Federation of Public Service Unions. It is the largest federation of the ETUC and comprises 8 million public service workers from over 200 Public Service Unions in 37 countries. We organise workers in health and social services, local and national administration, energy, water and waste. We are the recognised European social partner organisation in each of these sectors. EPSU is committed to building a European Union that promotes democratically accountable public services of the highest quality, within and beyond it’s borders. For more information on EPSU and our work please go to: www.epsu.org”
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