EU social partners reach landmark agreement on rights for central government employees

Key progress was made for the European Social Dialogue today (Monday 21 December 2015), when a landmark agreement was reached between central government employers, employees and their trade union representatives.

Following months of discussions, the Social Dialogue Committee for Central Government Administrations signed a document which sets out a general framework of common minimum requirements for the information and consultation rights of public workers in central government administrations.

The meeting was hosted by the European Commission, with the participation of French Minister for Devolution and Civil Service Ms Lebranchu. Also present at the signing ceremony was Mrs Ruth Paserman, Deputy Head of Cabinet for Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Ms Marianne Thyssen.

Thanks to the hard work of the Trade Unions National and European Administration Delegation (TUNED) and the European Union Public Administration Employers (EUPAE), workers in central government administrations will now have a say over important workplace issues including restructuring, work/life balance, working time and health and safety.

This is great boost to the Social Dialogue, which European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has pledged to relaunch during his mandate, and is proof that structured negotiation between employees, trade unions and employers can bring real results for workers.

Employers and trade unions now call on the European Commission to turn their good intentions into concrete action by transposing the agreement into a Directive for adoption in Council, in line with TFEU articles 154-155. Such a Directive would guarantee that all workers in central government administrations benefit from EU minimum standards on the fundamental right to information and consultation on what happens in the workplace.
Today’s agreement provides an important opportunity for Mr Juncker and the Commission to demonstrate a solid commitment to improving the rights of workers across the EU, and so pave the way to a truly Social Europe.

- For the agreement (available in EN/FR/DE/SV/IT/NL/PT/CZ)

- For our press release:

- For the EUPAE-TUNED press release

- Speech Britta Lejon, President EPSU Standing Committee NEA

  • 21 December 2015, Social Dialogue Committee for Central Government Administrations
  • 21 December 2015, Social Dialogue Committee for Central Government Administrations
  • 21 December 2015, Social Dialogue Committee for Central Government Administrations
  • 21 December 2015, Social Dialogue Committee for Central Government Administrations