Energy Unions' anger over lack of progress on social dimension South East Europe

(8 June) Leaders of the energy trade unions expressed frustration and anger with the lack of progress on the social dimension of the European Energy Community at a seminar in Sofia, 7-8 June. The Memorandum of Understanding on Social Aspect will again not be signed at the Ministerial Conference 29 June. Unions squarely blamed the European Commission as it had failed to proceed with the necessary preparation to allow for signing the MoU and despite the Political Declaration of the Ministers agreeing to the MoU in November 2006. EPSU Deputy General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan "For more then a year we are waiting for concrete steps to bring forward Social Europe. The failure of the Commission to act speedily and in light of huge restructuring in the countries and with the knowledge that the EU internal market led to 330.000 job losses, outsourcing and pressure on the workers, this raises questions of political responsibility". Unions reviewed the current situation and decided to take common action before the Ministerial Council on 29 June.

The union leaders also considered the energy situation in the region. Security of supply is threatened because of lack of generation capacity in the region which leads to price increases and problems for citizens and industry. Several investment studies were referred to. While the situation in known investment decisions are lagging behind. Governments need to play a firmer role and not leave it to the vagaries of the market. Electricity and gas should also be delivered at prices that are affordable. Many users in South East Europe have problems in paying for their bills.

Presentations were made by Renaud van der Elst, Stability Pact focusing on the Energy Community Institutions and the investment needs in the region which are calculated to be around 20 billion Euros. And investment needs are urgent. Unions felt that the lack of capacity drives prices up.

Veleriy Vlatchkov, Commissioner Energy and Water Regulatory Authority Bulgaria and an active participant in the Regulatory Board of the Energy Community. He detailed the work of the regulators and what role the trade unions can play. Other issues addressed concerned the prices for vulnerable users and disconnection.

Grigor Gradev of ETUI and PERC explained a number of social directives of importance such as those on transfer of undertakings and collective redundancies.

The Seminar was organised by the ETUI with the financial support of EPSU and PSI.