Social Dialogue
Jun. 25, 2020
Social Partners in Local and Regional Governments joint declaration on COVID19 and its consequences
The COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis. However, the tough but needed measures to contain the virus have led to an economic crisis and without the appropriate measures we risk exacerbating the emerging social crisis
May. 08, 2020
ETUC monitoring social dialogue during the crisis
The ETUC has published a first COVID-19 Watch briefing on social dialogue across Europe. Covering 20 countries, the briefing indicates that in most countries trade unions have been involved in various degrees in consultation and negotiation over emergency measures. This includes Spain and Italy, two of the countries worst hit by the pandemic. In France, the situation is more mixed with some limitation on trade union involvement in discussing key measures. More worrying have been the developments in Croatia, Hungary and Poland. While the Croatian withdrew plans to limit trade union and employment rights, emergency legislation in Hungary and Poland allows for major restrictions on social dialogue and trade union rights.
Apr. 24, 2020
EPSU protests over threat to civil service pay and jobs
EPSU has sent a letter to the prime minister protesting against the introduction of the so-called Shield Two law that allows for regulations to be passed to cut the jobs and pay and conditions of civil servants and other workers in public administration. Poland has not declared a state of emergency and yet the legislation was rushed through without the normal parliamentary procedure nor consultation with trade unions. Furthermore, parts of the Labour Code and legislation on collective redundancies will not apply if the regulations are implemented.
Apr. 24, 2020
EPSU protests against attack on culture workers' pay and conditions
EPSU has sent letters to the prime minister and leaders of political groups in parliament protesting at legislation that will remove public service status from over 20000 workers in libraries, museums, archives, culture centres, theatres and orchestras. This is a group of workers that is mainly low paid and whose pay has been frozen for over 10 years. The additional employment protection of public service status is one of their few main benefits. The government is using its emergency to push through the change at breakneck speed without the usual parliamentary process or consultation with trade unions. This is despite the fact that this permanent change, not taking effect until November, is unrelated to the current crisis.
Apr. 14, 2020
Hungary: EPSU backs culture workers in protest against ending public service status
EPSU has today sent a letter to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Minister for Human Resources, Miklós Kásler, to protest over government plans to change the legal status of culture workers – those working in museums, libraries, archives and public cultural institutes.
Apr. 09, 2020
Digitalisation at the heart of social partners’ commitment to keep the lights on
In these times of public health crisis, digital technologies enable the electricity sector to keep the lights on, adapting traditional models from generation to smart infrastructure in our constantly transforming industry.
Feb. 27, 2020
EU social partners in central governments agreed a joint contribution to the Commission consultation on fair minimum wages
EU social partners in central/federal governments, representing some 8 million employees, have agreed a joint contribution to the Commission’s first phase consultation.