Activity Report

Activity
Report
2008-2012
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
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Table of contents
Foreword by Peter Heesen & Fritz Neugebauer, Presidents of CESI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The Presidium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CESI Committee and Trade Council Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
“Employment and Social Affairs” Committee (SOC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
“Women’s Rights and Gender Equality” Committee (FEMM). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
“Central Administration and Finances” Trade Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
“Security” Trade Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
“Defence” Trade Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
“Justice” Trade Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
“Health” Trade Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
“Education” Trade Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
“Post and Telecom” Trade Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
“Local and Regional Administration” Trade Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Highlights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Yes, Public Services are an Essential Part of the European Economic and Social Model!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
CESI in the Social Dialogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fiscal Efficiency and Equity: Qualified Personnel for this Budgetary and Social Duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Europe Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Member Organisations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
Foreword
&
Peter Heesen
Fritz Neugebauer
Presidents of CESI
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Even
at the last CESI conference in 2008,
the crisis was already a topic of trade
union and European political debate. In its main motion
on the global financial and economic crisis, CESI called
upon the European Union and the Member States to
apply an effective banking supervision mechanism,
to establish counter-cyclical economic stabilisation
policies and to strive for fiscal harmony at the EU-level.
In particular, CESI also flagged the danger of the crisis
being used as an excuse to introduce further regressive
social measures.
The financial crisis was followed by the as yet unsolved
sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone, which began in
2009. Now, instead of significant economic stimulus
packages, drastic austerity measures are on the table.
CESI supports the efforts that have been made to
achieve long-term budgetary consolidation by means of
debt reduction. On the one hand, this approach ensures
states’ capacity to intervene and on the other, it serves
as an expression of inter-generational solidarity.
However, CESI has always voiced its intense concerns
that the measures taken to exit the crisis may often
only be taken by the State and public institutions, thus
limiting their room for manoeuvre, which is particularly
important in times of crisis. CESI is also opposed to an
increase in privatisation for alleged economic reasons
and the outsourcing of State duties. This development
threatens the survival of these services, as well as the
preservation of key related skills, which states are
delegating far too unthinkingly.
In the context of the European unification process, the
Member States of the European Union and their public
administrations are the guarantors of peace, prosperity
and democracy. They are the guardians of civil rights
and the rule of law. Together with the European
institutions, they define the framework conditions that
are necessary for growth, employment and investment
in Europe’s socio- economic system. This is why CESI
has always highlighted the significance and the role
of the state and its agents. In this activity report, we
therefore present the activities and demands of CESI,
its committees, trade councils and its Academy, with a
view to maintaining quality public services in Europe
(see page 26).
CESI is also strongly opposed to policies that are largely
focused upon reducing public expenditure, as opposed
to collecting state revenue more efficiently and fairly.
It is especially in times of budgetary consolidation
that state tax revenue – to which governments are
lawfully entitled – should be guaranteed, not only
because this has a positive impact on the budgets,
but also because it is fair. In order to guarantee fiscal
efficiency and justice, both the Member States and the
European Union must endeavour to combat fraud and
tax evasion more than ever before. CESI has therefore
protested against a short-term budgetary vision, aimed
at reducing staffing levels in tax administrations (see
page 30).
CESI has welcomed the efforts made to improve the
coordination of fiscal and economic policies in Europe.
Despite the significant repercussions of the crisis, the
current situation also represents a unique opportunity.
In fact, since the onset of the sovereign debt crisis
at the very latest, everyone has become aware that a
monetary union can only be successful if it is flanked
equivalent economic and financial policies at the
European level. Not only does this imply the need to
improve economic and financial governance to ensure
budgetary discipline, growth and competitiveness,
it also refers, in particular, to the importance of
strengthening social structures and those regarding the
application of European policies.
Now is the time for CESI and its member trade unions
to make a commitment to the notion of Europe and
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
Fritz Neugebauer
CESI President
It is especially in times of
budgetary consolidation that
state tax revenue – to which
governments are lawfully entitled
– should be guaranteed, not
only because this has a positive
impact on the budgets, but also
because it is fair.
Foreword
to European unification. “More Europe” is the only
appropriate answer to current questions concerning
the move towards European integration. And the
European Union of the future must also take steps,
not only to guarantee and develop a free domestic
market, but also to safeguard citizens’ fundamental
rights and the principle of the rule of law more
than ever before.. If the European Union wants to
provide its citizens with an area for freedom, security
and justice, it must simultaneously work towards
sustainability, full employment, social protection and
justice. In short, it must be a European Union whose
tasks and objectives no longer pertain merely to the
realisation of a single market, but which also takes
resolute steps forward in the realm of European social
and employment law.
As a consequence, the social development of Europe
becomes of utmost importance because it would
reconcile the citizens and, in particular, the workers,
with this more intense form European integration.
CESI’s stated objective is for this more intense form of
integration to go hand in hand with the development
and bedding down of the European social model. .
This understanding of the social model, which is one
of greatest achievements of our time, is based on two
equally important principles of responsibility and
solidarity. This feat, which is absolutely extraordinary
on the global level, must be protected and developed
further, much like the cornerstone of the European
unification project.
On the one hand, there is growing awareness that
developments in the areas that were traditionally the
realm of the Member States - social policy, work and
employment policy - have pan-European effects and can
hence no longer be assessed in accordance with a single
national regulatory framework. On the other hand,
there is growing recognition of the need for a European
vision regarding all forms of intervention by politicians
and social partners in social policy.
CESI interprets this as follows: on the one hand, the
highest possible minimum standards must be set in
European labour and social law; on the other, these
minimum standards must be efficiently implemented
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in as many European states as possible in order to
prevent social dumping of any kind. CESI has assumed
its responsibilities in this field and has therefore, since
the last CESI conference, played a very active role as
a recognised social partner in several social dialogue
committees (see page 28). In addition, numerous
seminars were held for CESI’s members, at which social
policies could be discussed with both European and
national decision-makers (page 32).
On the basis of these achievements and CESI’s
principles, it is appropriate for CESI to resolutely
embark on the path towards trade union pluralism and
independence. Diversity is also more than a simple
slogan. For trade unions, in particular, it means far
more. It is an expression of democratic opinions and
values and can therefore not be separated from the
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
and its Member States.
The European unification project will have to resist
stronger internal and external pressures in the coming
years. It is precisely at such times that the actions of
the elected representatives, member organisations
and employees of the European Confederation of
Independent Trade Unions will be crucial. CESI will
continue to defend European values and speak up for a
social Europe.
In conclusion, we wish to take this opportunity to
thank all those who have actively participated in
CESI’s work. We are especially grateful to our former
Secretary General Helmut Müllers, who left his post
at the end of 2011. Without his input and that of all
CESI representatives, members of the committees and
trade councils, as well as the remarkable commitment
of its staff, CESI would not have enjoyed such a strong
position since 2008. Helmut Müller’s successor,
Secretary General Klaus Heeger, has continued in the
same vein. Along with the new membership of several
trade unions, this demonstrates that our efforts to
preserve and improve the European social model are
more up to date than ever.
We wish the newly elected officials and the entire CESI
team every success for the four years to come!
Peter Heesen
CESI President
The social development of Europe
becomes of utmost importance
because it would reconcile the
citizens and, in particular, the
workers, with this more intense
form European integration.
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
9
The
Presidium
President
President
Secretary General
(from 01.01.2012)
Peter Heesen
Fritz Neugebauer
Klaus Heeger
deutscher beamtenbund
und tarifunion (dbb)
Eurofedop/Gewerkschaft Öffentlicher
Dienst (GÖD)
European Confederation of Independent
Trade Unions (CESI)
Treasurer
Vice-President
Vice-President
Frank Stöhr
Christian Chapuis
Eric de Macker
deutscher beamtenbund
und tarifunion (dbb)
CGC- Fonctions Publiques
Eurofedop/CNV Publieke Zaak
Vice-President
Vice-President
Vice-President
József Fehér
Domingo Fernández Veiguela
Olivier Marie
Magyar Köztisztviselők, Közalkalmazottak
és Közszolgálati Dolgozók Szakszervezete
(MKKSZ)
Central Sindical Independiente y
de Funcionarios (CSI-F)
Eurofedop/Fédération CFTC des Postes
et des Télécoms
Vice-President
Vice-President
Marco Paolo Nigi
Esther Reyes Diez
Confederazione Generale dei Sindacati
Autonomi dei Lavoratori (CONF.S.A.L.)
Eurofedop/SATSE, Sindicato
de Enfermería
Vice-President
Vice-President
Urs Stauffer
Jadranko Vehar
Zentralverband öffentliches Personal
Schweiz (ZV)
Eurofedop/Republički sindikat radnika
Hrvatske (RSRH)
Vice-President
Academy Europe President
Secretary General
(until 31.12.2011)
Romain Wolff
Wilhelm Gloss
Helmut Müllers
Confédération Générale de la Fonction
Publique (CGFP)
Eurofedop/Gewerkschaft Öffentlicher
Dienst (GÖD)
European Confederation of Independent
Trade Unions (CESI)
CESI Committee
and Trade Council
Activities
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
11
Without the input of all CESI representatives,
members of the committees and trade councils, as
well as the remarkable commitment of its staff,
CESI would not have enjoyed such a strong position
since 2008.
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
In
2012, CESI’s Presidents, Peter Heesen and Fritz Neugebauer, invited
the programme committee to meet with all CESI’s committee and trade
council representatives. Most importantly, a decision was taken to intensify
the exchange of information between specialist and political committees in
order to improve the coherence, synergy and effectiveness of CESI’s activities
in Europe.
Emphasis was placed on the unparalleled importance of the trade councils and
commissions. As a consequence, their positions should be strengthened, with
the support of the General Secretariat. Their relations with the Presidium and
CESI’s Board should also be encouraged to flourish.
In the future, the Programme Committee will hold a meeting at the beginning
of every year.
CESI Committee and Trade Council Activities
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
CESI Committee and Trade Council Activities
“Employment and Social Affairs”
Committee (SOC)
Between
2009 and 2012, the “Employment
and Social Affairs” Committee,
chaired by Klaus Dauderstädt, focused on social and workerrelated societal issues. The first topic of debate was the effects
of the demographic developments and, in particular, their
relevance for the healthcare and pensions aspects of social
security systems. In this context the SOC Committee gave its
opinions on related initiatives of the European Commission. It
also focused on other socio-political, notably social cohesion
and other aspects of migration and integration.
President
Klaus Dauderstädt dbb
Vice-Presidents
Maria Geada Seoane USI
Emilio Fatovic CONF.S.A.L.
Since 2009, the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, the
themes of the European Years have all related to issues that
fall under the competence of the SOC Commission: 2010 was
the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion;
2011 was the European Year of Volunteering; and 2012, the European Year for Active Ageing and
Solidarity between Generations. Obviously, the SOC Committee and its guests dealt with these issues in
accordance with the European Year underway at that time.
As regards the thematic block dedicated to trade unions and the workers they represent, the SOC
Committee also dealt with working time, flexicurity, work-life balance and occupational safety from a
trade union’s perspective. The members were especially impressed that the conferences of the European
Academy in Lisbon and Rome served as venues to debate issues relating to health in the workplace,
work-life balance, which gained further public attention as a result of these events.
Of course, the SOC Committee also discussed the financial crisis and its consequences for European
citizens. The Europe 2020 Strategy and other political reactions were raised as topics of debate.
Joint meeting of the SOC and the “Women’s Rights and Gender Equality” (FEMM) Committees was fruitful
too. New links were also established with the trade councils, especially with the Health trade council.
Through a process of exchanging experiences and integrating examples of best practice, the participants
were able to take full measure of the legitimacy and realistic character of the SOC Committee’s work.
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“Women’s Rights and Gender Equality”
Committee (FEMM)
Over
the course of the last four years, the
“Women’s Rights and Gender Equality”
Committee (FEMM) and its President Kirsten Lühmann set
out to fervently achieve objectives and implement equal
opportunity policies on multiple levels. To do this, the FEMM
Committee not only took advantage CESI’s seat on the Board
of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL), a seat occupied by
the President of the FEMM Committee, the Committee itself
also seized upon a number of symbolic issues, such as the
gender pay gap, psychological and sexual harassment at work,
gender-based violence, gender budgeting, parental leave, worklife balance, the under-representation of women in political
decision-making bodies, and so on. All these subjects reflect
problems that remain a reality today. The FEMM Committee
regularly invited experts to debate a variety of technical issues
with them.
President
Kirsten Lühmann dbb
Vice-Presidents
Carmen Jaffke CGFP
Marcela Gatciová Eurofedop/Sloves
The FEMM Committee has issued several position papers, the most recent of which focused upon
“the gender imbalance on corporate boards”. In response to a European Commission consultation,
it advocated for the introduction of compulsory quotas for women and for sanctions to be applied
in the case of non-compliance. In its position paper, “The image of women in the media”, the FEMM
Committee criticised the fact that the image of women, both as media professionals and in terms of how
they are portrayed in the media, does not reflect reality, and social diversity. It therefore serves as an
inappropriate reference point or role model for young people.
Against the backdrop of the European debt and financial crisis, which is visibly reducing financial
margins for manoeuvre for a range of policies, state budgets and social cohesion, the FEMM Committee
has, on several instances in its joint meetings with the SOC Committee, raised cross-cutting subjects,
notably the increased rate of unemployment for certain specific groups: young people, migrants and
women.
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
CESI Committee and Trade Council Activities
Trade Council for “Central
Administration and Finances”
CESI’s
President
Christian Chapuis
CGC-Fonctions Publiques
Vice-Presidents
Klaus Platzer Eurofedop/GÖD-FCG
Jose Fernández CSI-F
Trade Council for “Central
Administration and Finances” was
founded as the successor of the USSP in early 2009, when
the Trade Councils were being created. Christian Chapuis
chaired the first meeting, which took place on 26 and 27
March 2009 in Luxembourg. It provided an opportunity
for participants to discuss the social dialogue for central
administrations and the trade council work programme.
They stated their collective will to use these meetings to
promote exchanges between the trade unions involved,
as well as to provide CESI with food for thought and
opportunities to propose various stands on its specialist
subjects.
Services of General Interest (SGIs) were also the focus of
discussions. Here, the trade council aimed to establish a
common position in the context of ongoing debates at the European Commission.
Every meeting was a forum for in-depth discussions about fundamental issues such as participation
in social dialogue, the future of pensions and the interoperability of public services in Europe. In the
context of the economic crisis, the role of tax administrations in was raised, especially in connection
with tax equity, the harmonisation of tax bases, the fight against tax fraud and the standardisation of
accounting practices (see page 30). The Council declared itself to be in favour of state public services
being managed by a central government. It also expressed its desire to formally strengthen social
dialogue by seeking to involve new States in this work (see page 28).
In short, the “Central and Financial Administration Committee” is of major interest to CESI as it
debates critical sectoral issues. This has enabled it to become recognised by the European Commission
and to therefore be one of the Commission’s fully fledged social partners on all other issues. During
the Presidents’ next term in office, the pledges which have already been made should continue to be
pursued. Debates should also be encouraged between the relevant trade unions and other members of
CESI, who are keen to address the unavoidable developments that are occurring in public services in this
difficult economic climate. The aim of the trade council is to provide all its members with information on
a European social dialogue, which is all too often misunderstood, and to familiarise them with the CESI’s
recommended solutions.
“Security”
Trade Council
Due
to the tremendous significance of this sector, both
at the European level and in the individual Member
States at present, CESI’s “Security” trade council “had to focus on a
very wide range of issues between 2009 and 2012.
Under the leadership of Gerrit Van de Kamp, the trade council
assessed the status quo of the Schengen area which has already
celebrated its 25th anniversary. It also analysed the perspectives
for the enlargement of the Schengen area. In addition to questions
about more effective border controls, it is important to consider
that from a trade union viewpoint, the enlargement of the
Schengen area could lead to a possible reduction in the number of
customs and border police officers. This is why adequate further
training for the officers is more necessary than ever, in addition to
improvements in the exchange of information.
Another subject of concern is violence against the police.
President
Many members of the trade council have seen a sharp rise in
Gerrit van de Kamp Eurofedop/ACP
Vice-Presidents
such occurrences. The recent increase in cyber-bullying is also
Hermann Benker dbb
worrying. The trade council has issued a position paper in which
José Razafindranaly FGAF
it specifically demands harsher sanctions against those who
commit acts of violence against police officers. Its members have also agreed to exchange best practices
regarding the crackdown on violence against security forces. In addition, CESI has established a point of
contact via its website for police officers who fall victim to acts of violence.
The members of this trade council have concluded that most of the areas they focused on during the
2009-2012 period have been hit by a lack of funds that have decreased due to the crisis. This has had
a significant impact on security personnel’s working conditions. When it is not salaries and benefits
that have been reduced, as in Spain, it is training, equipment or even recruitment that has been
affected. These trends are having a negative effect on the motivation and safety of police officers, and
consequently on the safety of the goods and people they should protect.
At the “Security” trade council’s request, CESI has scheduled a follow-up seminar in 2013 on the
“Stockholm Programme”. Here, the aim is to establish a roadmap for common internal and security
policies in EU Member States and to assess its impact on the structures in place and on workers,
particularly in the security and justice sectors.
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
CESI Committee and Trade Council Activities
“Defence”
Trade Council
At
the invitation of its President, Jan Kleian, the
“Defence” trade council “resumed its duties.
This trade council enables CESI members who represent
military and/or civilian staff in the area of defence to
discuss the developments that take place in this sector
and the concerns of the workers they represent.
The defence sector has been subject to profound
upheavals in recent years (e.g. longer military
deployments, Europeanisation, abolition of compulsory
military service in many countries, extensive budget
cuts, etc.). These have had a long-lasting effect on
employees in the sector. The trade council is of the
opinion that both politicians’ and society’s political
expectations of the military should be clearly defined,
in order to permit the deployment of adequate means
to fulfil these tasks.
President
Jan Kleian Eurofedop/ACOM
Vice-President
Wilhelm Waldner Eurofedop/GÖD-FCG
The impact of the cuts to the defence budget is
affecting both employees in the sector and defence
equipment. The effect of these cuts would be less
brutal if funds and means were pooled and shared more effectively at European level. The trade
council believes that the growing number of European military interventions would justify
harmonising working conditions and trade union representation for the soldiers involved.
The trade council has laid the foundations for the long-term goal of supporting the European
military staff’s right to a professional representation of their interests. As fully-fledged citizens
with a mission to defend freedoms and human rights in a growing number of missions, military
staff must have the right to be represented in the best way possible in the workplace. Using
examples of countries in which soldiers are appropriately represented, the trade council
deduces that such representation does not represent a threat to military discipline. Indeed,
provides employers to have partners, with whom they can discuss the reforms and the best
means of implementing them.
“Justice”
Trade Council
Over
the course of the past four years, the
experts in the “Justice” trade council
have discussed several issues that employees in the
sector have to deal with. Under the presidency of Mark
Freeman, the trade council has focused mainly on
the economic crisis, the budget cuts and their social
consequences, the quality of the employees’ work and
working conditions.
These discussions took place against the backdrop of
an increasingly close-knit European Union, which has
passed laws and taken measures to create a European
area of freedom, security and justice. This requires the
collaboration of police and legal bodies, in particular.
This sector can also be seen as the other side of the
single market and its economic freedoms. In a European
Union in which people can circulate freely, settle down
and work wherever they please, and where crime is now
without bounds, there is a need for closer collaboration
between official bodies and for a better level of mutual
understanding between Member States.
President
Mark Freeman Eurofedop/POA
Vice-Presidents
John Clinton Eurofedop/POA-Ireland
John Hansen Eurofedop/FF (until 2011)
Member States and their public administrations are still responsible for implementing the
decisions made at European level. This is why the staff in this sector has recognised the
importance of always having access to the latest information about developments in their
countries warning each other of negative developments and exchanging best practices.
A wide variety of subjects was on the Trade Council’s agenda, including e-justice, electronic
tags, health and safety of both staff and prisoners in correctional facilities, alternative forms
of detention, initial training, life-long learning, the Working Time Directive, the payment of
pensions and financial incentives. In addition, the trade council issued position papers about
specific projects. One such paper was on privatisation in the prison system, which concentrated
on the tasks and duties of civil servants in highly sensitive areas, both in terms of security
and fundamental rights. Such responsibilities must remain in state hands and cannot be
jeopardised for alleged economic reasons.
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
CESI Committee and Trade Council Activities
“Health”
Trade Council
Europe
is currently facing serious
problems that are placing a heavy
burden on healthcare systems. Just like other sectors,
the healthcare sector is subject to budgetary constraints
and job cuts. The impact of demographic change is also
considerable: there is a rising number of older people in
need of care, compared to an increasingly low number of
younger people who are willing to work in this sector.
The situation is made even harder by the migratory flows
within Europe, and within the Member States themselves,
caused by the growing number of well-qualified
professionals in the health sector moving to the regions
that are most appealing from a professional perspective,
thus leading to staff shortages in an increasing number
of regions.
President
Esther Reyes Diez Eurofedop/SATSE
Vice-Presidents Marga Meere Eurofedop/
CNV Publieke Zaak
Viorel Rotila Eurofedop/FSSDR
Esther Reyes Diez, the President of the “Health” trade
council, led in-depth discussions on these issues, taking
a stance in favour of strengthening these professional
categories and the working conditions that prevail
in this sector, knowing that this could only result in
better patient healthcare. Issues such as mobility in the health sector and the consequences
for healthcare professionals were raised. These themes also served as the basis for the Europe
Academy’s symposium on the “Mobility of health workers within the EU”, which took place in
Riga.
The trade council also discussed the issue of e-health, i.e. healthcare provided via electronic
means, which has become increasingly important. This system of healthcare provided by
electronic communication tools provides a partial solution to the problem of medical staff
shortages in some regions, but it requires high-quality initial and continuous training.
Other subjects of discussion included the safety of patients and healthcare workers suffering
from injuries from needle pricks.
“Education”
Trade Council
Over
the past three years, the “Education”
trade council (EDUC) has addressed
the most to-the-minute themes in Europe, and the most
worrying from a trade union perspective. They include
early school leaving age, national educational reforms
and the constant degradation of the image of teachers.
The members of the council and its President, Claude
Heiser, categorically oppose an education policy that
seeks to minimise the number of school dropouts
by simplifying teaching methods at the expense of
intellectual quality, a phenomena observed in many
different countries. Furthermore, “EDUC” believes that
the education policy developments of European Member
States are a cause for concern and even for alarm: it is
difficult not to be left with the impression that these
educational reforms are carried out primarily to reduce
costs and it seems that the countries’ governments have
lost sight of the real objective, that is, to provide children
and young people with the best education possible.
President
Claude Heiser CGFP
Vice-Presidents
Antonio Villarino CSI-F
Horst Günther Klitzing dbb
The EDUC trade council firmly believes that training and
education are the essential foundations of a society, because they secure a country’s future
and generate new prospects, especially in times of crisis. CESI has made this statement to its
partners in the European sectoral social dialogue in education. The main issue, and that which
has been the topic of most debate, is how to recruit more new teachers, and what must be done
to stop them from leaving their jobs. In other words, it is a matter of how a larger number
of qualified academics might be attracted to teaching and education and how premature
resignations might be prevented?
The “EDUC” trade council is of the opinion that, in addition to more targeted recruitment
campaigns, better salaries, specialist counselling and support for newcomers to the profession,
possibilities of career progression and support from political representatives in terms of the
social image of teaching and the promotion of a respectable image are also critical.
21
22
Activity Report 2008 – 2012
CESI Committee and Trade Council Activities
“Post and Telecom”
Trade Council
As
the professional environment and businesses,
especially those relating to the postal sector and
telecommunications, no longer stop at national borders,
the work of the “Post and Telecoms” Trade Council is
of particular importance. This Trade Council, which is
led by Manfred Wiedner, brings together trade union
representatives from 13 different countries and meets twice
a year to discuss the various issues regarding the postal
sector and telecoms. At the end of each year, a meeting is
held in Luxembourg and in the middle of the year, one of
the trade unions invites the trade council members to its
country. Thus, in the 2008-2012 period, the meetings took
place in Martigny (Switzerland, 2008), Salzburg (Austria,
2009), Belgrade (Serbia, 2010), Salamanca (Spain, 2011) and
Thun (Switzerland, 2012).
Over 30 trade union representatives were present at
every meeting and the Post and Telecoms working groups
made in depth preparations beforehand. Postal and
telecommunications company representatives participated
in these meetings, as well as representatives from the
European Commission and other European organisations, in order to discuss issues relating to the
sector.
President
Manfred Wiedner Eurofedop/FCG-GPF
Vice-Presidents Horst Sayffaerth Eurofedop/DPVKOM
Manuel González Molina CSI-F
The representatives then issued resolutions and integrated the subject matter into CESI’s work.
Key points in the resolutions were working conditions in the various companies and in call centres,
the supervision of regulatory decisions, adapting working conditions to the age of the worker until
he or she retires and the expansion of companies abroad. Demands were also made on companies
relating to the effects of the financial crisis on working conditions. Members of the trade council
participated in talks with the Committee and MEPs.
In addition to these trade council meetings, many bilateral seminars took place in which the main
focus was the training of trade union representatives in central and eastern European countries.
In the “Post and Telecoms” trade council, trade unions from countries, which wish to become EU
members, are also represented. The trade council aims to recruit additional trade unions and a
working group was specifically set up for this purpose.
“Local and Regional
Administration” Trade Council
The
“Local and Regional Administration” trade
council, headed by Hans Freiler dealt
with four main issues in the 2009-2012 period: the
activities and projects of EU bodies (the Commission
and the Parliament), current policies directly affecting
municipalities and regions, the sectoral social dialogue
and the activities of the Council of Europe.
Some issues pertaining to these areas were of particular
interest to the trade council, such as the Working Time
Directive, for instance. The trade council discussed CESI’s
position on this directive from the perspective of certain
specific professional groups– especially fire-fighters – and
then completed CESI’s position by giving its demands
more weight or linking them to specific professions.
The trade council also focused on the Services Directive
during this period. On the basis of the initial feedback
gleaned after this directive was first implemented, a
unique “point of contact” was created and results were
collected, the trade council made three key demands:
sufficient staffing, the importance of qualified personnel
and the adaptation of collective agreements.
President
Hans Freiler Eurofedop/GÖD-FCG
Vice-Presidents
Urs Stauffer ZV
Antoine Breining FGAF (until 2011)
The financial crisis, related austerity measures and their effects on municipalities (the
administrative level which is closest to the citizens) have been studied in depth. In this context,
the trade council has put forward clear solutions to address the current circumstances, one
of which was the introduction of a financial transaction tax. It is highly important that the
municipalities, which represent “the last link in the chain», would also benefit from the revenue
generated by a financial transaction tax. Another point of discussion was the merging of
municipalities and their effects on local administration staff (e.g. in France and Switzerland).
The trade council also dealt with the abolition of the status of civil servants in many countries
and with the privatisation of public services provided by local and regional administrations.
At every trade council meeting, reports were presented by the two representatives of the
sectoral social dialogue on issues such as the effects of the international financial crisis on
municipality staff, aggression in the workplace, migration, equal treatment, and so on, as well as
on the activities of the Council of Europe.
23
Highlights
Public services should not be seen as a matter of
cost, but rather as factors that are crucial for the
competitiveness and social cohesion of Europe.
26
Activity Report 2008 – 2012
Highlights
Yes, Public Services are an
Essential Part of the European
Economic and Social Model!
Over
the past few years, many European Member States have reduced the number of civil
servants on their books significantly. In some, the austerity measures in place have
already led to a significant deterioration in the availability of public services. Negative media reports
in well-known newspapers in some European countries have initiated a debate on the quality and
quantity of public services – a central point of discussion concerning Europe’s future.
However, public services should not be seen as a matter of cost, but rather as factors that are crucial
for the competitiveness and social cohesion of Europe. In numerous seminars and meetings with EU
institutions, CESI has highlighted the positive role that public services play in Europe. It is they that,
in periods of economic crisis, in particular, become the basis of Europe’s growth, employment, social
justice and prosperity. Public services are of increased significance when it comes to reaching the
European objectives of growth and employment expressed in the Europe 2020 Strategy and its related
policy packages. They represent the linchpin for both basic and further education in Europe and play
a fundamental role in delivering employment services. In addition, public services offer high-quality
training schemes that lead to sustainable jobs.
This is why CESI has repeatedly insisted on the fundamental importance of public services. Below are
some examples of activities which were carried out:
◊ By organising a project about the image and attractiveness of central administrations within the
Social Dialogue Committee for central government administrations in 2012.By performing a study in
order to investigate citizens’ and users’ perceptions of public services, as well as that of the public
service employees and managerial staff. This work aims at enabling the sectoral social partners to
improve the overall opinion of administrative bodies, especially as they will have to compete more
intensively with the private sector for qualified personnel.
◊ The submission of a fundamental document on the future of public services in Europe, in which the
missions, structures and public services skill-set requirements in Europe were analysed. This took
place in the context of a project carried out by the Europe Academy in 2010, which was presented
Symposium of Europe Academy, September 2010, Brussels
left to right: François Ziegler (European Commission), Jacky Leroy (SPF P&O Belgium), Detlef Fechtner (Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung), Françoise Castex (Member of European Parliament) et Angelika Poth-Mögele
(CEMR)
to institutional representatives and social partners. In so doing, CESI highlighted how important it
is that fundamental public services be provided by public administrations. Other service providers
must be the object of adequate control mechanisms to ensure that the quality requirements
are fulfilled and users’ rights are respected. Furthermore, the quality of the jobs must also be
monitored.
◊ Many people were questioned about the practical benefits of Public-Private Partnerships and
privatisations, the financial and social costs of which are often misevaluated. CESI is actively
engaged in the works of the forum created by the European Commission to assess the effects of
privatisation in the postal services sector. CESI also particularly targets Commissioner Barnier and
the “Public Services Inter-group” of the European Parliament in its calls for greater consideration of
in-house services.
◊ The performance of a study on the basis of a symposium and numerous CESI discussions with the
European institutions about the values and missions of Services of General Interest (SGIs) and how
important it is that these services be provided by an honest, reliable, independent and transparent
public sector.
27
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
Highlights
CESI in the Social Dialogue
During
the 2008-2012 period, CESI, a recognised social partner of the European Commission
since 2005, was able to fulfil its duties in three European social dialogue committees.
Involved with the TUNED trade union delegation in an informal dialogue with the Directors General
responsible for central public administration (EUPAN network), CESI has worked with the relevant
member organisations and its European partners to establish a formal social dialogue for this sector.
After an intensive pilot phase, which took place in 2008 and 2009, negotiations between TUNED and the
Directors General allowed the creation of a Committee under the auspices of the European Commission
on 17 December 2010 in Genval (Belgium). The TUNED trade union delegation, in which CESI and its
member organisations have seven seats, is now the counterpart of the employers’ delegation (EUPAE) in a
structured, recognised and dynamic dialogue.
CESI welcomed this event because it grants this sector official recognition at the European level and
gives its employees the right to a social dialogue. Less than two years since the start of its work, this
Committee can proudly name several of its successes. In particular, the joint declaration on the gender
pay gap currently in its implementation phase and aims to increase the collection and transparency of
relevant data. Another point that is worthy of mention is the project on the image and attractiveness of
central administrations and on the joint position of the social partners in the European Commission’s
Green Paper on restructuring and anticipation of change.
The member organisations of CESI that are represented in the social dialogue Committee for local
and regional administrations had the opportunity to discuss the effects of the financial crisis and the
austerity measures on public services and their employees in municipalities and regions, among other
issues. Moreover, working groups offered members of this Committee the possibility to present case
studies on the collaboration between public authorities and private companies in several countries.
Since its creation in June 2010, CESI has actively participated in the work of the Social dialogue
committee for the education sector. CESI is represented at plenary sessions by the President of the
EDUC trade council, Claude Heiser, and also by delegates in every one of the three working groups that
deal with issues relating to quality, demographic challenges and higher education. This Committee has
issued a fundamental position paper on investment in education, further education and research. It is
of the opinion that these three domains should be considered a priority by governments, even in times
of crisis, because they are a cornerstone for growth and social cohesion in Europe. The Committee is
currently focusing on the recruitment and retention of teachers. This is also an issue which is considered
a considerable challenge in many countries in Europe.
On this basis, CESI aims to heighten its presence in the social dialogue committees in Europe. These
committees are perfectly adequate instruments to exchange information and best practices, as well as to
define common positions and interfaces to construct the opinions of the social partners at the European
institutions. CESI will commit in the coming years to strengthen the role of social dialogue Committees
as European co-legislators via the negotiation of agreements between social partners.
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
Highlights
Fiscal Efficiency and Equity:
Qualified Personnel for this
Budgetary and Social Duty
In
the discussion about the financial, economic and social crisis, CESI has specifically highlighted the
importance of increased fiscal efficiency and equity in Europe.
In the current situation, the Member States find themselves under tremendous financial pressure, forcing
them to increase their resources and to reduce their spending. This is why more efficient and fairer
taxation is crucial for the states’ budgets. An increased tax burden and downgraded social benefits are
hard for private households to bear and make a steady economic recovery difficult. At the same time, the
annual cost of tax evasion in Europe represents approximately 1,000 billion euros. CESI believes that it
would not only be more effective, but also fairer, if governments dealt with the issue of collecting unpaid
taxes and contributions.
CESI supports all effective measures to stimulate the European economy and efforts to overcome the
crisis. It welcomes the long-term aim to balance state budgets, that is, rather than introducing austerity
measures alone, which are only effective in the short-term, this goal, according to CESI, constitutes a real
fiscal consolidation. This is not only necessary for economic reasons, which would give states more room
for manoeuvre, but it is also a call for solidarity, so that younger generations do not have to pay for the
bad decisions made by their predecessors.
Improved tax collection can only be carried out if the following conditions, as defined by CESI, are
fulfilled:
◊ As tax legislation is becoming increasingly complex and businesses operate internationally and are well
advised, the tax administrations must have sufficient, motivated, well-trained staff and good technical
equipment. CESI is of the opinion that personnel and/or salary cuts in many European tax offices and
savings on further training and technical equipment are counter-productive.
◊ The exchange of information and cooperation between the administrations in Europe must be
improved. The European Commission must therefore actively play a supportive role. CESI welcomes
the measures, which were recently published to efficiently combat tax fraud and tax evasion that
were made public a short while ago. In the coming years, CESI will continue to actively support such
measures in its role as a partner of the European institutions.
◊ The fiscal systems must be simplified and regulations must become more transparent. This would
allow the tax administration personnel to apply the rules more efficiently and it would enable
taxpayers to comply with tax legislation more easily.
CESI began to call for the introduction of a financial transaction tax across Europe very early on. This tax
would have three main advantages: mobilisation of additional resources (which should be used to reduce
public debt, in CESI’s opinion); the financial system would be involved in efforts to overcome the crisis;
and financial transactions would be subjected to regulation.
31
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Activity Report 2008 – 2012
Europe Academy
33
Europe Academy
Europe
Academy carries out various
different projects relating to
European social policies, employment and the economy
and provides CESI with support when the latter is
elaborating its political positions. The projects are
co-funded by the European Union, from the “Industrial
Relations and Social Dialogue” and “Information and
Training Measures for Workers’ Organisations” budget
lines. Under the presidency of Wilhelm Gloss, the
Europe Academy has carried out ten seminars and
follow-up events between 2009 and 2012. Every seminar
was planned in collaboration with the Board of the
Europe Academy.
In addition, the Europe Academy shares the outcome
of its work with other bodies within CESI and is
collaborating more and more with experts from the
trade councils, commissions and social dialogue.
In the context of this heightened level of collaboration,
the Europe Academy organised three symposia in
2009. Two symposia focused on the “Better Working
Places – Better Life project”, one of which specifically
concentrated on “Work Life Balance” (Lisbon) and the
other on “Health and Prevention at Work” (Rome). At
the latter, the European Agency for Safety and Health
at Work (OSHA) agreed to act as a partner. Dealing with
highly important issues, such as stress or bullying in
the workplace, it responded to the needs and reality of
the first year of the financial crisis.
In 2009, a third project was also carried out, this
time on “The European Public Service faced with the
challenges of globalisation and European integration:
the role of lifelong learning” (Malmö). This symposium
provided a review of what Europe’s goals are in terms
of employment, growth and integration, which are only
to be reached by means of lifelong learning.
Symposium of Europe Academy, June 2012, Luxembourg
left to right: Romain Wolff (Secretary General of CGFP), Erny
Reuter (Honorary Secretary General of FGFC), Jean-Marie
Halsdorf (Minister of the Interior and the Grand Region,
Minister of Defence of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg),
Wilhelm Gloss (President of Europe Academy) and Klaus
Heeger (Secretary General of CESI)
In 2010, two projects were carried out. The first
was entitled “Creating added value – Taking action
together. The role of the Public Sector and of
Social Partners in overcoming the economic crisis”
(Valencia). Within the framework of this project, CESI
reflected upon the future of public services in Europe
and put forward its position on “Public Services
in Europe, the position of the Social Partners as to
future tasks, structures and necessary competences”.
Within the context of an evening meeting in Brussels
and in the presence of numerous social partners,
CESI reinforced its commitment to more solid,
modern public services that respond specifically to
users’ needs.
The second project was on the “Mobility of health
workers within the EU” (Riga). On the basis of the
Green Paper issued by the European Commission
in 2008 on the European Workforce for Health and
within the framework of its partnership with the
European Hospital and Healthcare Federation (HOPE),
CESI participated in the discussions on the mobility of
health workers in the European Union. It stressed its
support of the free circulation of workers, provided
that ethical employment is guaranteed, in order to
ensure that there is no geographical imbalance in
European healthcare services and in terms of the
conditions for workers. In the context of this project,
CESI reminded the participants that it is crucial to
provide attractive working conditions in the field of
healthcare, in order to guarantee high-quality care,
because it is one of the pillars of the European social
model. In addition to the issue of pay, the employees’
working time, work life balance, further training and
levels of stress in the workplace must also be called
into question.
In 2011, two projects were carried out. The first was
a symposium entitled “Promoting diversity within
the Public Service Sector in the European Union”
(Amsterdam). Here, CESI dealt with many issues,
including women’s access to high-level posts in
European public services, the recruitment of disabled
individuals and of people with a migrant background.
Trade unions must raise these problems because they
play an important role in the fight against workplace
discrimination and in the promotion of equal
opportunities.
The second project was entitled, “Public Service and
the Integration of Migrants in the European Union”
(Vienna). Once more, it raised the issue of the role
played by public service staff when receiving and
integrating migrants. Throughout this entire project,
CESI concentrated on the work, tasks, resources
and needs of the public service employees in the
context of their dealings with migrants. Special
attention was given to the role of public services
in the integration of migrants and the practical
organisation of the tasks of all actors involved in
this integration process, including CESI member
organisations.
In 2012, two projects were carried out. One dealt
with “Providing high-quality public services in
Europe based on the values of Protocol 26 TEU/
TFEU” (Warsaw). A study carried out by Pierre Bauby,
and a related symposium, aimed to get to the heart
of the six “common values” of Services of General
Interest (SGIs). These values are: quality, safety
levels, affordability, equality of treatment, universal
access and users’ rights. Within the framework of this
project, CESI was able to rely on the expert knowledge
of many members of the Public Services Intergroup of
the European Parliament.
The other project that was carried out in 2012 was
entitled “Promoting transnational administrative
cooperation in Europe” (Luxembourg). This is an
issue of fundamental interest in the single market,
which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
The construction of a culture of administrative
transnational cooperation requires training and
openness to different countries’ administrative
methods and their specificities. The symposia of
CESI’s Europe Academy aim to actively promote this
collaborative attitude.
In its work, the CESI Europe Academy grants special
attention to the coherent treatment of the various
issues at hand and to the location in which the events
take place. Special thanks are given to the member
organisations for their support and hospitality.
Member
Organisations
ALE
Autonome Lokomotivführer-Gewerkschaften Europas
Europe
ANP
Associação Nacional de Professores
Portugal
ANPE
ANPE Sindicato Independiente
Spain
BLC
Bundesverband der Lebensmittelchemiker/-innen im öffentlichen Dienst
Germany
CGB
Christlicher Gewerkschaftsbund
Germany
CGFP
Confédération Générale de la Fonction Publique
Luxembourg
CISAL
Confederazione Italiana Sindacati Autonomi Lavoratori
Italy
CONF.S.A.L.
Confederazione Generale dei Sindacati Autonomi dei Lavoratori
Italy
CSEN
Confédération Syndicale de l’Education Nationale
France
CSI-F
Central Sindical Independiente y de Funcionarios
Spain
CSN MERIDIAN
Confederatia Sindicala Nationala Meridian
Rumania
dbb
dbb beamtenbund und tarifunion
Germany
EUROFEDOP
European Federation of Public Service Employees
Europe
FA-FPT
Fédération Autonome de la Fonction Publique Territoriale
France
FASGA
Federación de Asociaciones Sindicales
Spain
FF
Frie Funktionærer
Denmark
FGAF
Fédération générale Autonome des Fonctionnaires
France
FGFC
Fédération Générale de la Fonction Communale
Luxembourg
FISP-IFOD
Fédération intercatégorielle Services Publics
Belgium
LĀADALatvijas Ārstniecības un aprūpes darbinieku arodbiedrībaLatvia
LVIPUFDA
Latvijas valsts iestāžu, pašvaldību, uzņēmumu un finanšu darbinieku arodbiedrībaLatvia
MKKSZ
Magyar Köztisztviselők, Közalkalmazottak és Közszolgálati Dolgozók Szakszervezete
Hungary
NCF
Nederlandse Categoriale vakvereniging Financiëndie
Netherlands
NSD MUP-a
Nezavisni Sindikat Djelatnika Ministarstva Unutarnjih Poslova
Croatia
PromyanaPromyana
Bulgaria
TVML Tullivirkamiesliitto- Tulljänstemannaförbundet r.y
Finland
UFCFP-CGC
Union Fédérale des Cadres des Fonctions Publiques-CGC
France
UNSP-NUOD
Union Nationale des Services Publics
Belgium
USI
União dos Sindicatos Independentes
Portugal
VKB
Vereinigung der Kader des Bundes
Switzerland
WZZ-SO
Wolny Związek Zawodowy “Solidarność Oświata”Poland
ZV
Zentralverband Öffentliches Personal Schweiz
Switzerland
Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée 1-5, b.5
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Pictures : www.fotolia.com
Photography :
Eric Fosse
jorisvo
Lulla
aalin
Julien Eichinger
Design : www.inextremis.be
Observers
DBwV
European Confederation
of Independent Trade Unions
Deutscher BundeswehrVerband
Germany
www.cesi.org
European Confederation
of Independent Trade Unions
Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée 1-5, b.5
B-1040 Bruxelles
T: +32 (0) 2 282 18 70
F: +32 (0) 2 282 18 71
www.cesi.org