EPSU and EUPAE considered as most representative and important social partners in the EU sector
Following the signing of the European Pillar of Social Rights last week and the availability of a study confirming their representativity, the social partners competent for 10 million workers of central governmental administrations expect the Commision to follow up on the draft agreement submitted under Art.155 TFEU …
Yesterday 20 November, in a joint letter to the European Commission, the EU social partners for central governments, namely EUPAE (employers) and EPSU-led TUNED (trade unions) welcomed the results of a new study that confirms they are the most representative and important social partners in that sector.
The study carried out by Eurofound finds that EUPAE represents 88% of the total EU workforce in central government administrations (9.8 Million) and EPSU-led TUNED (employees) the large majority of unionised workers and civil servants in 27 of the 28 member-states.
It also finds that the Social Dialogue Committee for central governments has shown a strong capacity to negotiate agreements.
Jan Willem Goudriaan, EPSU General Secretary, states “Together with the employers we very much welcome the study. It strengthens our arguments for the Commission to put forward our agreement on information and consultation rights to Council now. Following the signing of the European Pillar of Social Rights last week, it is a matter of credibility for the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties, to activate in full transparency article 155 on social dialogue.” he added “it also matter legal certainty for the future of EU social dialogue.”
The study follows on the request in February 2016 by TUNED and EUPAE to Commissioner Thyssen to implement by a directive the Agreement on the rights of workers’ representatives to be informed and consulted on matters such as restructuring, working time, health and safety. This agreement fills in an EU legal loophole in the rights of nearly 10 million workers.
The joint employer/trade union letter comes on top of an ongoing campaign with the support of the ETUC for the Commission be clear and transparent on the implementation process of social partners agreements and to come up with a legislative transposition immediately in line with treaty obligations on social dialogue.
“As restructuring continues to unfold in central governments and as we see the growing impact of EU policies on public administrations, it is high time to provide workers with minimum social standards on consultation rights on matters of direct concern to them. Information and consultation rights are fundamental human rights and are part of good, modern, transparent public administrations including the EU public administration.” Concludes Mr Goudriaan.
