Social Dialogue
New social dialogue structure on social services to be set up!
The Federation of European Social Employers and the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) recently submitted their joint application for a European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee (ESSDC) for social services to the European Commission.
Building skills in the electricity sector: final steps for the joint European social partner’s project
The Skills2Power project (‘Strengthen the Role of National Social Partners and VET Providers to Build Skills Intelligence in the Electricity Sector’) concludes after four years of successful activities.
EPSU and Social Employers Event on the Prevention of MSDs in Social Services
Yesterday, in the framework of the EU-OSHA campaign, Healthy Workplaces – Lighten the Load, EPSU and the Federation of European Social Employers held a webinar on the prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in social services.
Discussing building power for European public service workers with Slovenian unions
The Slovenian Confederation KSJS organised a meeting between its affiliates and several European trade union organisations like EPSU. We discussed the work of the European Federation and the challenges for the future.
Press Release: Damaging ruling on how the Commission should handle EU social partner agreements
(Brussels, 2 September 2021) Today, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued its verdict on the case EPSU (the European Federation of Public Service Unions) brought against the European Commission.
Commission study reveals impact of pandemic
The European Commission’s annual review of Employment and Social Developments in Europe outlines some of the key effects of the pandemic on jobs, employment conditions and social dialogue. It identified uneven regional impacts with the more resilient regions sharing characteristics such as high regional productivity, high level of skilled population levels, big investment in research and development, quality local public institutions and solid digital infrastructure. The impact on national social dialogue and collective bargaining varied with countries with strong social dialogue institutions
Health unions criticise lack of social dialogue and block on unions
Health unions came together with representatives of trade union confederations to criticise a proposed amendment to the Health Care and Insurance Act. The unions argue that the amendment is effectively revenge for recent trade union protests against government policy and that it will deny trade unions and workers representation on health institution management bodies. Trade unions and confederations across all sectors have been engaged in protests over the refusal of the government to engage in social dialogue. This is just the latest example of the government failing to consult and putting
Norwegian and Polish shop stewards: common experience of taking services back into public hands
Poor treatment of employees, outdated equipment and low quality of services – outsourcing and privatisation of municipal services has similar negative effects whether it takes place in Poland or Norway.
European and national sectoral social partners calling for the need to strengthen involvement of social partners to boost the recovery of the pandemic
The involvement of sectoral social partners in European Semester is crucial to bridge the currently existing democratic and social gap.
Europe’s Industrial Strategy and Eco-Systems lack workers’ perspective
The European Commission has published its Industrial Sector and an overview of so-called eco-systems recently. The European Trade Union Federations and the ETUC are critical about the lack of engagement with the social partners at national and European level.
Call for action on a human-centred recovery
The International Labour Conference has agreed a Global Call to Action outlining measures to create a human-centred recovery from the pandemic. Delegates from 181 countries representing governments, workers and employers adopted the call unanimously, prioritizing the creation of decent jobs for all and addresses the inequalities caused by the crisis. The agreement covers measures to be taken by national governments and their employer and trade union ‘social partners’, to achieve a job-rich recovery that substantially strengthens worker and social protections and supports sustainable
Trade unions back major protest over government policy
The main trade union confederations are taking part in the major national demonstration on 28 May. The unions are particularly concerned about the government’s refusal to engage in meaningful social dialogue and to consult trade unions over key pieces of legislation. The unions are also raising concerns about government plans on tax and other measures that mainly benefit the rich and risk undermining the welfare state. EPSU sent messages of solidarity.