The DGs for public administration and the trade union delegation, Prague, 18 June 2009

Press Communication, 26 June 2009

Social Dialogue recognised as key to successful reforms

On 18 June, in Prague, the EU-27 Directors General for public administration and TUNED, the trade union delegation , adopted a set of conclusions “improving trust through an effective social dialogue”.

“Amid the global crisis which is impacting badly on our members in some countries, it is crucial that social partners agree common principles on how to go about better changes in public administrations”, said Charles Cochrane, TUNED spokesperson (PCS, UK). “A prerequisite is that proposed reforms do serve the general interest and take account of the views of employees and their trade union representatives.”

The conclusions recognise that a well-structured and well-resourced social dialogue, including collective bargaining, is key to successful reforms and improving trust between employees and employers. Employees’ rights to timely information and consultation, as provided for by the EU related directive and Charter of fundamental rights, are essential to an effective social dialogue.

Social partners at national level are invited to mainstream competence development for all employees and equality and diversity objectives throughout change management.

Mr. Cochrane adds “These conclusions are a positive contribution towards regularising the European social dialogue in our sector. In that regard, we are pleased that the forthcoming Swedish EU presidency has invited TUNED to take part in the test phase evaluation steering group”.

Background:

The Prague meeting took place in the context of the 2008-2009 Test Phase on a formal EU social dialogue in central government administrations.

The set of conclusions is one of the outcomes of the joint EU-funded trust project which started in June 2008 and will end in September this year.

It is based on a research report carried out by the Working Lives Research Institute (London University) on the role of social dialogue in anticipating and managing change in 15 EU and candidate countries’ government administrations, with a special focus on information and consultation rights, equality and diversity and competence development.

It also draws from the joint conference of 29-30 April last attended by 70 delegates from both sides.

 Text of the conclusions in FR, ENG and DE is available here
 Trust report, WRLI, David Tarren, is available here
 TUNED contribution to the future of social dialogue here
 Brief report of EUPAN/TUNED Conference 29-30 April 2009, Prague:

ppt trust presentation

For further information please contact: Nadja Salson nsalson@epsu.org, 32 2 250 10 80.

EPSU is the European Federation of Public Service Unions. It is the largest federation of the ETUC. 8 million public service workers from over 200 trade unions are members. They organise workers in the energy, water and waste sectors, health and social services and local and national administration.