European protection of interests

EPSU

Pardia is a member association of European Public Services Unions (EPSU). EPSU represents 8 million Federation of workers and more than 200 member associations in Europe.

EPSU’s central task is to follow up the European Union working documents and decision-making process, which affect the public sector and public utilities and people working in those. It is essential to try to exert influence and guide policies and decisions so that public services are maintained and developed and that the employees’ position is improved and protected.

European level protection of interests emphasizes the management of change, evaluation of the effects of change and protecting the employees’ position and terms of service. In practice, protection of interest translates into exerting an influence on the EU legislation, regulations, directives, recommendations and guidelines as well as policies and goals relating to working life and concentrating on their follow-up.

Cross-sectoral social dialogue

We negotiate and conclude agreements on issues relating to working life in the cross-sector level (ETUC* and corresponding employer organizations). Our central organization STTK is a member of the ETUC and participates in cross-sectoral social dialogue in this role. In addition, the EPSU representatives take part in the cross-sector social dialogue as members of the ETUC.

Among other things, the dialogue includes issues such as free movement of employees and services, adjustment support, employment, health and safety at work, equality and diversity, mobility of workers, pensions, working time etc.

Sectoral social dialogue

The state sector social dialogue is carried out between the European level network of union federation chairs and the organizations’ network TUNED**. Our European level organization EPSU is a member of the TUNED-network. In addition, Pardia is represented both in TUNED and general social dialogue.

Central issues in the state sector dialogue, i.e. the negotiations and discussions are, apart from those mentioned above, also questions relating to the administrative change and development such as efficiency, relocation, management, salaries and wages, education etc.

*) European Trade Union Confederation

**) Trade Union Network Delegation