Social Dialogue in Europe

Jackie MORINEuropean Commission

Social Policy

EuropeanSocialFunds

LegislationMobility

Gender equalityWorking conditionsHealth and Safety

Open Method of Coordination

EmploymentSocial protection

EuropeanSocial

Dialogue

SocialAgenda

What place for social dialogue at European level?

A Strong institutional recognition

ART 138 of the TreatyThe Commission has a responsibility

to promote consultation of the social partners at community level and to take every

useful measure to facilitate their dialogue, taking care to ensure a balanced

support of both sides.

The Commission consults social partners first

Social partners can engage into a dialogue

ART 139 of the TreatyThe Community level dialogue between

the social partners can lead, if they wish it, to contractual relations,

including agreements.

The implementation can be made either by an EU instrument or through

national channels

European social partners

General cross-industry organisation&

Cross-industry organisations representing certain categories of workers or undertakings

ETUC, BUSINESS EUROPE, CEEP, UEAPME, CEC, Eurocadres

Sectoral organisations representing employersEUROCOMMERCE, AEA, POSTEUROP,

COPA, COTANCE, EURATEX, HOTREC, FBE, ...&

European trade union organisationsUNI-Europa, EPSU, EFFAT, ETUCE,

ETUF-TCL, EMF...

Specific organisationsEurochambres

European

Capacity to act in avoluntary way

Being composed by nationalorganisations recognised

as social partners

Adequate structures

What forms does the European Social Dialogue take?

“Val Duchesse” Social Dialogue

Sectoral socialdialogue

committees

TRIP

ARTI

TEBI

PART

ITE EWC ?

Transnationalagreements

Tripartite Social Summit

Macroeconomic dialogueDialogue on education

Dialogue on employment

Cross industry

Sectoral

Company

Auto

nom

ous

European Commission

High levelgroups

34 (+ 3) Sectoral social dialogue

committees

Extractive Ind.Sea fishingAgriculture

Automobile (*)Non ferrous metal (*)

GasSteel

ChemicalWoodworking

Textile/clothingTanning/leather

SugarShipbuilding

FurnitureFootwearElectricity

Construction

Catering (*)Hospitals

Life performanceInsurance

Inland NavigationIndustrial cleaning

HorecaCommerce

Civil aviationBanking

AudiovisualTemporary agency work

TelecomSea transport

Road transportRailways

Private securityPostal services

Personal servicesLocal / Reg. governement

1 Cross industry social dialogue committee

Sectors coveredBy Eu policies

Sectors touchedby europeanisation

Industrial sectors

Public sector

Local & regionalgovernment

Cross industry

HealthPolicy

SocialDialogue

EU10

Servicesprovision

Equalopportunities

Ageing

Skillneeds

Modernisation

Centraladministration

Education?

Hospital

Process – Willigness and Capacity

1. Representativenessand capacity

European structure

2. Joint request3. Representativeness

Test(membership, mandate,

structures)

4. Establishmentof the Committee

Social Partners

Commission

SDC – How it works

Socialdialogue

table

Com

Decide on the rules of procedure of their dialogue (Objectives, Preparation, Presidency…)Decide on the level and rhythm of their dialogue (Number and type of meetings)Decide on the content of their dialogue (Agenda of the meetings)Decide on the outcome of their dialogue

The social partners"Autonomy and responsibility"

Social dialogue outcomes

Agreementsestablishing standards

Article 139.2 of the Treaty

Recommendationsconcerning standards

and principles

Exchange ofinformation

Framework agreements

Autonomous agreements

Frameworks of action

Joint opinions

Guidelines and Codes of conduct

Policy orientations

Declarations

Tools

Implementation

Follow-up at National level

InformationDiffusion

European Commission

6 Agreements establishing minimum standards

implemented by Council decision

• Framework agreement on parental leave, 1995

• Framework agreement on part-time work, 1997

• European agreement on the organisation of working time of seafarers, 1998

• Framework agreement on fixed-term work, 1999

• European agreement on the organisation of working time of mobile workers in civil aviation, 2000

• Agreement on certain aspects of the working conditions of mobile workers assigned to interoperable cross-border services, 2005

European Commission

5 Autonomous Agreements establishing minimum standards implemented by the procedures

and practices specific to management and labour and the

Member States

• Framework agreement on telework, 2002

• Agreement on the European licence for drivers carrying out a cross-border interoperability service, 2004

• Agreement on Stress at work, 2004

• Social Dialogue Agreement on Crystalline Silica, 2006

• Harassement and violence at work, 2007

Implementation reports by the social partners

Autonomous Social Dialogue Agreement on Workers Health Protection

through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products Containing it

- 25 April 2006 -

14 Sectors

Aggregates, Cement, Ceramics, Foundry, Glass fibre, Special Glass, Container Glass & Flat Glass, Industrial Minerals, Mineral Wool, Mines, Mortar, Natural Stones and Pre-cast Concrete

i.e. more than 2 million Employeesand a business exceeding € 250 billion

2007 Social Partners Work Programmes

CSR

H&S

Labour MarketFlexicurity

Capacity buildingNew Member States

Management of ChangeRestructuring - Globalisation

Training - Qualification - MobilitySteel – Evolution of training needsHoreca – Qualiffications – passport

Shipbuilding – Qualification transparencyChemistry – Quality of Education

Gas – effects of the liberalisationRailways – Joint study

Post – Future of the sector

Local Gvt – Strengthening SD in NMSTextiles – Capacity building

Audiovisual – Integration of NMS

Commerce – Youth employmentInland Navig. – Working time

Hospitals – AgeingCleaning Industry. – Day time work

Steel – Exchange of best practicesCommerce – Vilolence

Agriculture – Implementation MSDHair dressers – Cosmetic directive

Leather and tanning – CSR Reporting

More Information … EUROPA website for social dialogue

http://ec.europa.eu/socialdialogue

Industrial Relations in Europe2006 Report