20 years of the European Social Protocol

Europe celebrates 20 years of the signature of the Social Protocol

On 24/25 November the conference “Negotiation, consultation and autonomy of EU Social partners” celebrated two decades of the European Social dialogue since the EU Social Partners agreement of 1991. CEC was represented by Secretary General Ludger Ramme.

Ramme highlighted in a statement the fact that the beginning of the Social dialogue started with the big Social partners only. It took a long line of negotiation until 1999 when CEC was formally admitted to participate in the negotiations on the side of the trade unions.
Ramme: “Our cooperation agreement with Eurocadres under the umbrella of ETUC has been a success. CEC will continue to cooperate on this basis and make managers’ concerns and positions be heard.”

The conference organised in Warsaw (Poland) in cooperation with the Polish Presidency, brought together representatives of the cross industry and sectoral social partners at European and national level as well as representatives of EU Member States, EU institutions, academics and other stakeholders interested in the social dialogue and industrial relations.

It is estimated that half of all recent community social legislation is accounted for by social partner agreements. This is clearly a good reason for CEC to remain involved and work together with the other social partners for a smooth development in EU industrial relations.