European Transport Workers’ Federation Eduardo Chagas, ETF General Secretary European sectoral social dialogue – achievements in the transport sector: the workers’ perspectives Turin, 4-8 October 2010

2 European Transport Workers’ Federation The ETF: who we are Pan-European organization Members are trade unions from the transport (including logistics) and fisheries sectors 243 trade unions from 41 European countries More than 2.5 million workers Recognised social partners in 6 Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees

3 European Transport Workers’ Federation A federation within federations

4 European Transport Workers’ Federation Our role Represent and defend the interests of transport and fisheries’ workers vis-à-vis the EU Institutions and other international bodies Set workers’ priorities in the European Social Dialogue Formulate and coordinate trade union’s views on transport and social policies Organize concerted union activities Provide education and training opportunities

5 European Transport Workers’ Federation Sectoral Social Dialogue in Transport Civil Aviation – since 1990 Inland Waterways – since 1999 Railways – since 1972 Road Transport – since 1965 Sea Fishing – since 1974 Maritime Transport – since 1973 Ports (2010?)

6 European Transport Workers’ Federation … and other fora Maritime Industries Forum Advisory Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture RACs (Regional Advisory Councils - fisheries) European Agencies (to a certain extent): EMSA (Maritime) EASA (Civil Aviation) ERA (Railways)

7 European Transport Workers’ Federation Some examples of agreements reached in the framework of SSDCs : RAILWAYS ETF/CER Agreement on certain aspects of the working conditions of railway mobile workers assigned to interoperable cross-border services ETF/CER Agreement on the European license for drivers carrying out a cross border interoperability services Representation and better integration of women in the different professions of the railway sector ROAD TRANSPORT Joint ETF/IRU recommendations on employment and training in logistics ETF and IRU common criteria for rest facilities SEA FISHERIES ETF/EUROPÊCHE/COGECA Agreement on a social clause to be included in fisheries agreements with third countries REFOPE

8 European Transport Workers’ Federation MARITIME TRANSPORT ETF/ECSA agreement to work on the transposition of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 into EU law ETF/ECSA European agreement on the organisation of working time of seafarers ETF/ECSA Career path mapping CIVIL AVIATION ETF/ACI Europe Joint Statement on Quality, Safety and Training in the ground-handling sector ETF/ ERA/IACA/AEA/ECA European agreement on the organisation of working time of mobile staff in civil aviation ETF/CANSO Statement on the Community Air Traffic Controller Licence draft Directive INLAND WATERWAYS ETF/UINF Joint project on training ETF/EBU current negotiations on working time for Inland Navigation

9 European Transport Workers’ Federation For more information on Sectoral Social Dialogue texts:

10 European Transport Workers’ Federation Our approach to EU sectoral social dialogue ETF values EU sectoral social dialogue: SSDCs where ETF is involved are amongst the most productive ones, also in terms of binding instruments SSD as a policy instrument complementary to legislation and negotiation EU SSD must contribute to and promote growth, quality jobs, social Europe and sustainable transport policy Important to build long-lasting trust between employers and trade unions, find balanced solutions to social questions, develop social cohesion at EU and national levels

11 European Transport Workers’ Federation ETF response to the SSD revision carried out by the European Commission ETF internal debate and workshop held during the ETF 2009 Congress Debate within the various SSDCs where ETF is represented Improving the framework in which EU SSD takes place:

12 European Transport Workers’ Federation Low participation from new Member States: difficulties in the application of texts resulting from Social Partners’ autonomous negotiations SSDCs not always properly involved in impact assessment studies and in dossiers having social implications Employers’ organisations often lack the will to tackle substantial issues and/or do not have full mandate to negotiate ETF priorities for change

13 European Transport Workers’ Federation The way forward More focus on binding agreements On social aspects related to transport: social dialogue first! Promotion of sustainable transport through sectoral social dialogue Providing capacity building to social partners in countries with young industrial relations systems Better interconnection with dialogue and negotiations at national level ( need for mature industrial relations in ALL EU countries) Better defining the actors

14 European Transport Workers’ Federation Towards a SSDC in ports /1 The only ETF Section without a SSDC ETF demands to employers The struggle against PP1 and PP2: confrontation but also dialogue! The « post PPs » consultation process: a significant step towards the formalization of dialogue, identification of common objectives and common interest for social peace in the EU port sector Question: why such sudden interest from employers and Commission for a SSDC in the sector?

15 European Transport Workers’ Federation Towards a SSDC in ports /2 Two significant events The ETF TRUST project (April 2007): Common interest on a sustainable port sector ETF workshop on training and qualifications in ports (February 2009): Initiation of a dialogue on one of the core issues for the upcoming Committee

16 European Transport Workers’ Federation What are our campaigns/actions about? Fight against all attempts to deny workers’ social rights (EC & employers) Counteract social effects of market liberalization Court Cases: Laval/Vaxholm; Viking Lines; Rüffert; Commission vs Luxembourg Flexicurity; Competition in the global market; ‘casino capitalism’ Active in ETUC pushing for a stronger standing in the wider fight against attacks to European social model Brussels, 2006 ETF delegation in support of VW workers Strasbourg, 2006 ETUC against Bolkestein directive

17 European Transport Workers’ Federation What will the SSDC on ports be about? A first list of priorities Training and qualifications Health and safety Data gathering, promotion of studies, (employment, classification systems, etc.) Assessing social consequences in case of transfer of undertaking Involvement in EU-level policy making

18 European Transport Workers’ Federation Thank you!