Social Dialogue

European social dialogue refers to discussions, consultations, negotiations and joint actions involving social partners: organisations representing the two sides of the industry – employers and workers – at the European level. For more information about social dialogue, see the European Commission website.

In Civil Aviation, our social partners are:

• Airport Council International (ACI Europe)
• Airport Services Association (ASA)
• Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO)
• European Regions Airline Association (ERA)
• International Air Carrier Association (AIRE)
• Airlines Coordination Platform (ACP)
• Airlines for Dialogue (A4D)
• European Cockpit Association (ECA)
• Air Traffic Controllers European Union Coordination (ATCEUC, only for the Air Traffic Management Working Group)

Currently, we are focusing mainly on the following:

• the role of the social partners inside EASA
• the Commission’s Aviation Strategy for Europe
• the implementation of the Single European Sky initiative
• the assessment of the Ground Handling Directive 96/67/EC
• the evaluation and possible revision of Regulation 1008/2008
• ending violence at work, especially violence against women
• atypical employment (outsourcing, independent and self-employed workers)

Our recent achievements in civil aviation social dialogue include the following:

2022 – Joint Statement of EU Social Partners on unruly passenger behaviour

2018 – Groundhandling social dialogue support (you can find the final report with research on market access and social conditions, vocational training and qualifications)
2016 – Toolbox for successful social dialogue in air transport management
2015 – Just culture: declaration to improve the reporting and analysis of safety information
2015 – Joint statement by AEA, ECA and ETF on atypical employment within the Air Crew Working Group
2015 – Study: ‘Atypical Employment in Aviation
2014 – Joint declaration against EU-based flags of convenience in aviation
2013 – Joint recommendations by ATCEUC, CANSO and ETF on the mobility of workers within the ATM sector
2013 – Joint statement by ATCEUC, CANSO and ETF on the SES II+ package
2012 – Guidelines for consultation arrangements for functional airspace blocks
2011 – Joint statement on the role of European social dialogue in the implementation of the Single European Sky
2011 – Joint Position on the Social Security Regime applicable to Air Crews
2011 – Statement on the revision of the ground handling directive