NEA work plan 2015-2019 to implement EPSU Congress Resolution

UPDATED by NEA Committee on 23 February 2016 - State of play as of 19 February 2016

The work plan follows up and builds on previous NEA work and ongoing campaigns, the NEA Congress Resolution and the ones moved by PCS (defending social protection and the welfare state) and CGSP (citizens’ audit of public debt), the 2014-2015 work plan for the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee as well as EPSU’s overall priorities.

It should provide sufficient clarity, at least for the short and mid-term planning, and flexibility for adjustment in light of circumstances and SDC CGA agenda.

Against a backdrop of institutionalised budgetary austerity, the NEA resolution reinforcing the general interest reconfirms commitment to the welfare state based, amongst others, on transparency, fair taxation as well as sufficient staffing and trade union rights. It reaffirms support for the work in the EU social dialogue (SDC CGA) following the EPSU’s positive evaluation including from non-EU members. As the SDC CGA is now entering a phase of consolidation the idea is to focus more on concrete working conditions such as health and safety. In the short term, a major challenge will be to convince employers to agree common minimum social standards on information and consultation rights especially on austerity-linked restructuring.

The table below summarises the main elements of Congress resolution. It should be read in conjunction with the EPSU general work plan that also refers to the sectoral work and identifies which sector has the lead on what (for adoption at the EPSU’s Executive Committee on 4-5 November).