Employments shifts in the EU energy sector towards 2050 discussed by electricity social partners

(19 November 2013) The European social partners for the electricity industry discussed a range of issues in the last meeting of the sectoral social dialogue committee:

Employment implications of Energy 2050 scenarios - The European Commission, DG Energy, has commissioned a large scale study to investigate how its scenarios for 2050 affect employment. The results were presented. They indicated a modest positive employment effect although some significant changes between parts of the energy sector. The social partners considered in which way they could contribute to the study. The social partners are worried about recent announcements of companies cutting substantially in the workforce announcing some 20.000 job losses.

Corporate social responsibility - The social partners had exchanged various drafts on an updated statement of their 2009 joint position. The discussion also resulted from the study presented on the application of the Global reporting standards and the Electricity Utility Sector Supplement by SOMO for EPSU. The trade union side argued that the social partners should take account of the recent debates on tax justice, evasion and tax havens in the EU. Employers refer to good corporate governance. While almost finished further debate was needed.

Joint position on energy 2030 - A contribution was agreed on the proposals of the European Commission to define its 2030 targets for European energy policy. Unions and employers underline the need for joint transition principles, the role of social dialogue and proper impact assessments.

Framework of actions - a first overview was given of the discussions on the implementation of the Framework of actions with examples from Lithuania, Italy and Sweden. A fuller evaluation is planned for 2014.

Sector skill councils - The committee confirmed that there is not sufficient support to continue with the proposal to establish a sectoral skills council. As the issue of competencies is important to the social partners it was agreed to explore the possibility to establish a working group and organise a meeting linked with the social dialogue committee. It would be focused on what employers (companies) and trade unions are developing to project future skill needs and how they organise the response in terms of training.

Occupational Health and Safety and Green Jobs - The social partners confirmed their interest to participate in a seminar with the European Agency for Health and Safety to discuss the implications of its study on health and safety and green jobs and in particular for the energy sector (wind, solar etc.) Both sides will now compose their delegations.

The employers and unions also considered the implications of European Commission recent policies on the social dialogue were the Commission is seeking cuts as DG employment has to save more as other DG's, as well as the implications of the Commission's decision to not follow the EU rules. It has refused to propose the sectoral agreement on health and safety regarding hairdressers as a directive to the Council. Further, the committee noted the Joint letters on nuclear safety, on the social dialogue in the energy community and on energy, innovation and 2030.

The social partners further noted letters sent to DG energy on Energy 2030, on energy and innovation and on nuclear safety. They also regretted not to have received a response on their joint letter to the Serbian Presidency of the Ministerial Council of the Energy COmmunity regarding the establishment of a working group on promoting the social dialogue in the energy community countrues.

For 2014 the new chair of the sectoral social dialogue committee will be from the employers' side Christian Nikel, EDF, France. He follows up Bernd Frieg from the trade union side.

EPSU colleagues came from Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Roumania, Spain, Sweden. For the EPSU Secretariat Jan Willem Goudriaan participated. The meeting took place 15 November 2013.

- Documents are available here.

- For a report on the previous meeting.