Manager Ethics European social dialogue Slovak University of Technology Faculty of Material Science and Technology in Trnava

What do you think about European Social Dialogue?

European social dialogue European social dialogue is a unique and indispensable component of the European social model, with a clearly defined basis in the EC Treaty. It refers to the discussions, consultations, negotiations and joint actions undertaken by the social partner organisations representing the two sides of industry (management and labour).

Main dates in the evolution of the European social dialogue 2000 Lisbon European Summit, the Heads of State and Government set out a ten-year strategy for the economic and social development of the European Union. The common vision requires an integrated approach across a range of economic, social and environmental policy areas, in order to achieve sustainable economic growth, more and better jobs, with greater social cohesion. The successful implementation of the Lisbon agenda requires the active involvement of the social partners. Presentation of the Social Policy Agenda at the Nice European Council in December 2000, which underlines the importance of social dialogue.

2003 First Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment; with the Council Presidency, the President of the Commission and highest-level representatives of the social partners (on basis of Council Decision of 6 March 2003).

Cross-industry Social Dialogue Its purpose is to promote dialogue between unions and employers in key areas common to all fields of employment and social affairs. The results and standards arrived at apply to businesses and workers across Europe.

Social dialogue committee (SDC), is the main body for bipartite social dialogue at European level. It meets 3-4 times a year to discuss employer/worker perspectives in various cases, adopt texts negotiated by both parties and plan further European social dialogue. The SDC comprises 64 members (32 employers, 32 workers) either from European secretariats or national organisations.

Stakeholders in cross- industry social dialogue Six cross-industry organisations are involved in European social dialogue.

European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) represents workers across the industries at European level. Set up in 1973, the ETUC includes 81 national organisations from 36 European countries (among them all the EU countries) and 11 European industry federations, with some 60 million members. In the context of European social dialogue, the ETUC executive committee can adopt decisions supported by 2/3 of its members. The 11 federations include the majority of European branch trade unions, which allows for some coordination across sectors.

Confederation of European Business (BUSINESSEUROPE, formerly UNICE) is the largest European employers' organisation in terms of economic coverage. It includes 39 employers' associations from 33 European countries and represents its members' economic and industrial interests at European level. BUSINESSEUROPE represents some 20 million businesses in Europe. Decisions (including in the field of social dialogue) are taken by the council of presidents, voting unanimously.

European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation and of Enterprises of General Economic Interest (CEEP) is an employers' association for public- sector entities, networked businesses (e.g. local transport, post offices, energy, water, ports) and, in some countries, local authorities. The CEEP has a national section in each country (including 20 EU countries) and permanent links with its member businesses. CEEP decisions are taken by the general assembly.

European Association of Craft, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (UEAPME) is the employer's organisation representing the interests of European crafts, trades and small businesses at EU level. UEAPME numbers 78 member organisations (from 25 EU countries) including national cross-sectoral SME federations, European branch federations and other associate members supporting small businesses. According to its own figures, UEAPME represents 11 million businesses employing 50 million people across Europe. In December 1998, UEAPME reached an agreement with BUSINESSEUROPE allowing it to take part in European social dialogue.

Eurocadres is the council of professional and managerial staff in Europe representing all branches of industry, public and private services and administrative departments. It is a member of the ETUC and has more than 5 million staff in membership.

European Confederation of Executives and Managerial Staff (CEC) is a professional organisation but is independent of the ETUC. It represents European branch federations and 17 national organisations uniting some 1.5 million executives and professionals in 14 EU countries.

Sectoral Social Dialogue At sectoral level, the social dialogue underwent an important development in 1998, when the Commission decided on the establishment of sectoral dialogue committees promoting the dialogue between the social partners in the sectors at European level (Commission decision of 20 May 1998 – 98/500/EC).Commission decision of 20 May 1998 – 98/500/EC

Social Dialogue at Company Level Social dialogue at European level takes place not only at cross-industry and sectoral level, but also in multinational companies covered by the European Works Councils (EWC) Directive. In its latest Communication on social dialogue (COM(2004) 557 final), the Commission stressed the desirability of promoting synergies between social dialogue at the European and company levels, for example by raising awareness among company European works councils of work being undertaken by the European sectoral social partners in the same or related sectors.Communication on social dialogue

Collective bargaining Collective bargaining is specifically an industrial relations mechanism or tool, and is an aspect of negotiation, applicapble to the employment relationship.

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