Digitalisation
Getting to grips with digitalisation
Digitalisation has the potential to positively transform public services and the jobs of public service workers. Quicker and easier access to services and increased participation of citizens can be combined with better quality jobs as repetitive work is replaced with more fulfilling tasks. However, trade unions must be involved in the transformation process not just to ensure that workers have their fare share of the benefits of digitalisation but also to deal with the potential downside. This briefing, produced for EPSU's 2019 Congress, highlights some of the work done on this issue in recent years and sets out the current priorities.
Prison unions debate impact of austerity and quality employment
(May 2017) Trade unions representing prison workers across Europe met in Brussels on 10 May to discuss a range of issues relating to continuing austerity, collective bargaining and trade union rights. Key issues that emerged during the meeting included the increase in violence against prison staff, problems of understaffing and developing issues around digitalisation and, in some countries, radicalisation of inmates. The meeting was part of a two-year project run by EPSU with the next meeting in December focusing on childcare workers.
Public procurement, digitalization, young workers, equality on the agenda of EPSU committee on Local Government
A first reflection on the themes and priorities for EPSU’s upcoming Congress in May 2019 was one of the items on the agenda of the local and regional government committee meeting on 19 September in Brussels.
EPSU tells Commission: No sale of patients data!
In the last months, the European Commission has launched a public consultation on the transformation of health and care in the Digital Single Market. This consultation is aimed at investigating whether there is the need for policy measures that will promote digital innovation for better health and care in Europe.
Union conference to discuss jobs and change in library sector
(June 2017) The HK Kommunal municipal union is organising a conference in September that will provide library workers with a chance to discuss the developing trends in the sector and the changing demands and expectations on libraries. An important focus of the conference will be on personal and professional development and career opportunities.
Trade union and employer delegations meet High Level Group on Digitalisation – Invest in social dialogue, training, skills, infrastructure
The European Commission established a High Level expert Group to advise it on the impact of digital transformation on EU labour markets in May 2018.
EPSU conference on quality employment and collective bargaining
On 6-7 June, EPSU is holding a second conference in Brussels in the context of its current project on quality employment and quality public services. Along with special sessions looking at the prisons and childcare sectors there will also be debates on pay trends in the public sector compared to the private sector; low pay in sectors dominated by women; young workers and quality employment; a panel on developments in collective bargaining and some initial research findings on the impact of digitalisation on the home care and public employment services.