The European Commission stalls European Social Dialogue!

By Pablo Sanchez (EPSU)

About two years ago trade unions including the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and the European employers of the central government administrations (EUPAE) signed an Agreement on Information and consultation rights for workers, following a Commission’s consultation. The agreement would give these rights secured in EU law to almost 10 million employees and civil servants in the central government administrations. After the years of austerity and public sector shock and restructurings it would ensure EU level protection much as was the case for workers in Renault and other companies.

EPSU is disappointed the Commission is reported to be stalling this social partners’ agreement. According to TFEU article 155 the Commission is obliged to implement by a decision social partners agreements when social partners request it. The unions and EUPAE did just that in February 2016. The Commission is required to do an impact assessment before submitting a proposal to Council. Last summer, rumors were everywhere that the Commission would reject the implementation. Workers and their unions will be upset if the Commission would do this.

The European Pillar of Social Rights states that all workers in the EU should have information and consultation rights. The pillar was adopted with much fanfare with the heads of state at the Gothenburg Summit on 17 November 2017. How credible would the Commission be if it actively blocks progress on these rights. It is noticeable that the three Commissioners involved in the dossier all come from the European People’s Party.

Many will remember that UNI-Europa has been now waiting for 5 years for the implementation of its agreement on health and safety in the hairdressers sector. So this is really relates to the future of the ‘Social Europe’. Do Commissioners really mean what they say?

The ETUC Executive Committee adopted a statement expressing concerns and calling for both a political and legal strategy on 25-26 October 2017. The March ETUC Executive Committee meeting will continue to discuss this issue which is clearly a matter of concern for European trade union members and those who strive for an improvement of living and working conditions.