Launch of European Social Dialogue Committee in Central government administrations

(EPSU PR 14 December 2010) On 17 December 2010, the EPSU-led trade union delegation, TUNED, and, the employers’ organisation, EUPAE, will establish a European Social Dialogue committee for central government administrations (Genval, Belgium).

This is a huge achievement, after years of informal discussions, for the 7 million employees and civil servants working in the state sector. Central government is now recognised as a sector in its own right. In the face of unprecedented cuts in public service pay and jobs in a majority of EU countries, this comes at a very challenging time. We will do our utmost for the Committee to promote a well-resourced central government sector based on a good and effective social dialogue including collective bargaining at national level, for the interest of all" EPSU General Secretary, Carola Fischbach-Pyttel says.

The launch of the Committee will take place following the biannual meeting between TUNED and EU-27 DGs for public administration, with the participation of the Belgian Minister for public administration Mrs Inge Vervotte, European Commission’s head of Social Dialogue Unit, Mr Jean Paul Tricart, and on behalf of TUNED, EPSU President Mrs Anne-Marie Perret, and CESI General secretary, Mr Helmut Müllers.

“The state sector employees deserve more than ever a positive agenda in the EU. We trust the European Commission will implement our new rights to be informed and consulted on matters affecting central government administrations” added Anne-Marie Perret.

The Committee is the outcome of the trade union determination, notably the EPSU’s NEA Committee and the good cooperation between EPSU and CESI within TUNED. Tribute also goes to the Belgian EU presidency whose untainted support over the past 6 months has been critical to achieve the good result, and to the European Commission’s Social dialogue unit.

The establishment of the committee provides TUNED and EUPAE with the status of social partners and the support and resources needed for an effective social dialogue at EU level. It will consist of trade union representing state sector employees and civil servants in the 27 EU Member States, candidate countries and Norway. The employers cover 60% of the EU workforce in central administrations; we hope that 100% coverage will follow suit.

This is the 5th sectoral social dialogue committee led by EPSU for the trade union side. The first plenary meeting is scheduled for 14 February 2010 (TBC).

For more information about the 17 December launch of the Committee please see here.

For more information: Pablo Sanchez , [email protected] 00 32 (0) 4 74 62 66 33