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Social Dialogue

Social dialogue refers to structured discussion between the organisations which represent workers and employers, known as social partners. The EU supports social dialogue at European level, and the ETF is a recognised social partner for the urban public transport sector.

European social dialogue in the urban public transport sector was established in 2001. It is formally a working group of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee (SSDC) for Road Transport. The main social partner for ETF on the employer’s side is the International Association of Public Transport (UITP).

In February 2015, UITP and ETF jointly asked the European Commission to establish their own SSDC for urban public transport. As a sector representing more than 1 million workers in Europe we believe that the sector deserves its own SSDC.

The current Work Program 2018/2019 is focussed on:

  • An update of the “Joint Recommendations on insecurity and the feeling of insecurity” (2003), tackling not only violence coming from a third party but also violence from colleagues or managers, in particular against women.
  • A two-year study on digitalisation and automation in the urban public transport sector and its impact on workers, including the question of workers’ information and participation.
  • Implementation of the Joint Recommendation on women’s employment in urban public transport, in order to reach the 25% target for 2020.

An ongoing joint UITP/ETF project addresses social partners in Central and Eastern European countries.

Additionally to the project activities, the UPT social dialogue meets twice a year in Brussels. The Presidency alternates between UITP and ETF every three years. Currently the presidency is with UITP:

  • Benoît Juery (Transdev, France) is the President on behalf of UITP
  • Mira Ball (ver.di, Germany) is the Vice-President on behalf of ETF

In Focus

Info

Social dialogue in UPT: our achievements

We work with our social partners to promote the use of public transport, to improve working conditions, and to strengthen women’s representation. Over the years, we’ve developed a number of joint statements, recommendations and positions. Check out our achievements!

News about social dialogue in urban public transport

News November 26, 2020

European trade unions call for more democracy at work

The ETUC and ETUFs handed over a petition for more democracy at work to the European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit yesterday and called for concrete and rapid actions to guarantee the effective enforcement and compliance of workers’ rights to be informed, consulted and to participate in decision-making before any decision is adopted. 

Event October 22, 2020

Digital Transformation and Social Dialogue in Urban Public Transport in Europe – Final Conference

European Social Partners in Urban Public Transport held the final conference of their joint project ‘Digital Transformation and Social Dialogue in Urban Public Transport in Europe’. Discussions during the final conference revolved around the presentation of the research results and the future joint recommendations of ETF and UITP with all parties highlighting the importance of an inclusive and participatory approach to digital transformation.

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