(15 December 2009) While battles are raging over the text of the next international agreement to bring down green house gas emissions during the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, the European electricity social partners discussed the implications of transition for the workers in the electricity sector. Presentations were made of several recent studies that map the implications of climate change on employment in the electricity sector. Representatives of the European Commission (Andrea Hercsuth on renewables), Eurelectric (Helene Lavray on Power choices 2050) and Syndex (Jean-Francois Poupard on electricity generation) engaged the participants in pointed and controversial discussions over the fuel mix of the future and which choices should be made now. The social partners presented their joint project focused on determining the impact on jobs and functions in the sector and what employers and trade unions are considering to address this impact. Close to 80 participants took part. The studies and presentations are available here.
The Conference was followed by the ordinary meeting of the social dialogue committee electricity. It considered:
- The Conference and Just Transition project. Susanne Senica, Verdi and Steve Bloomfield, Unison will be part of the Steering Committee for EPSU. An important phase of the project will be the national consultation and discussion;
- The project links with the work being done by the European Commission on the Energy Road Maps 2050. The social partners confirmed their interest in being involved. The energy road maps should contain a social dimension.
- Smart meters and smart grids – the possibilities for a joint survey and inviting a speaker for the Commission and the European regulator will be considered;
- The follow up to several toolkits was discussed (demographic change, equality, restructuring;)
- South East European Energy Community – the social partners underlined the importance of concrete national social action plans, social dialogue and that also Ukraine and Moldova should sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the social aspects when becoming members of the Energy Community.
- Support for sectoral skill councils: continuing a forward looking approach and linked with the social dialogue committee.
- Information on a number of issues such as: follow up to the study on Investment in the future of jobs and skills; Communication on the Future of the Sectoral Social Dialogue; a number of social policy communications;
- Work Programme 2010:
- Follow up to the different toolkits
- Just Transition Project
- Commenting on the Energy Road Maps 2050
- Joint work on smart meters
- Energy Community and employment study
- Social agenda of the European Commission
- Reflection on the implementation of the 3rd Package (how will ITO system affect works; is the Commission considering unbundling for DSO ?
- The new chair of the sectoral social dialogue committee will be Emanuella Preiti for Eurelectric.
The conference took place in Budapest, Hungary, 10-11 December 2010. It was hosted and excellently organized by the EPSU affiliated Hungarian trade union EDSZSZ and electricity company MVM. The EPSU deputy general secretary participated
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