Social dialogue
As a recognised social partner EuroCommerce is involved in a constructive social dialogue with its trade union partner UNI Europa.
EuroCommerce is a recognised social partner and is involved in a constructive social dialogue with its trade union partner UNI Europa on issues of common interest. These are, for example, skill needs and training or health and safety at work. To learn more, see this introduction to social dialogue.
The Social Dialogue between EuroCommerce and UNI-Europa has functioned continuously since 1983 and was officially recognised by the European Commission in 1990. In 1993, EuroCommerce and Euro-Fiet (now UNI-Europa) officially recognised each other as social partners.
On 30 November 1998, following the reorganisation of the European social dialogue, the social partners agreed to establish a sectoral social dialogue committee.
Key messages:
- Consensus-based: Sectoral social dialogue helps to achieve consensus on important issues of mutual interest at EU level. It cannot resolve contentious issues, but can build trust and understanding as well as delivering joint initiatives on specific problems.
- Voluntary: The dialogue is now nearly 30 years in duration and has evolved on a voluntary basis. This aspect of European Social Dialogue is essential for employers as it is only the careful building of trust that can enable consensus rather than conflict.
- Autonomous: The self-governing nature of each of the social partners, as well as the partnership, is essential and needs to be respected.
