The Employers (Eurelectric) and trade unions met to consider a broad range of issues on 14 and 15 December.
- The European Commission presented its Communication on restructuring (and the revision of the European Works Council Directive). The social partners will consider how to continue work on this;
- A project is started with the European Commission to update the earlier 2001 employment study. The social partners (and including Eurogas) are members of the Steering Committee. Focus will be on the new Member States as well as on a range of qualitative issues such as the impact of restructuring on women
- The social partners will develop a project on Corporate Social Responsibility. Existing policies will be compared to the criteria which have been developed by the social partners. This will result in a Conference towards the end of 2006.
- A project to develop a Handbook/ Best practice guide on equality and diversity is approved based on earlier joint statements. An expert will be approached to work on this for the social partners
- An overview was provided on the implementation of the telework agreement in the different countries. It has not been implemented in the electricity sector. The issue has of yet not much relevance. Discussion concentrates on if the national Intersectoral agreements will be the reference points.
- The health and safety and training agreement between EPSU and Eurelectric (1996) will be updated. It is to take account of new developments such as new legislation, EU enlargement and restructuring in the sector. The social partners also agree to give more visibility to the issue.
- The social dialogue committee also looked at the joint statement on Skills again. The implementation of the agreement and what was agreed leaves something to be desired and a number of measures to focus attention on the agreement was approved. This includes seeking discussion with the Commission and others on the problem as well as addressing training, apprenticeships and skills problems by the social partners.
- Finally the European Commission presented its work on the Green Paper on the European Energy Policy. It was agreed to continue reflection on this subject.
The Steering Committees of three work groups met on the 14th on corporate social responsibility, health and safety and equality. The trade union group held its preparatory meeting morning of the 15th and the delegations met for the plenary afternoon.
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