Key Developments at June Social Dialogue Committee Meeting

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CEC European Managers, in its capacity as an EU-recognised social partner, attended the latest session of the Social Dialogue Committee (SDC), held in Brussels on 25 June.

CEC European Managers actively observed the deliberations, reaffirming its commitment to following and supporting the development of European social dialogue, especially where it concerns the role and responsibilities of managers in shaping the future of work.

The June session of the SDC came at a pivotal moment for European industrial relations. With structural reforms on the table and heightened expectations for the effective implementation of the Pact for European Social Dialogue, the meeting served as both a technical exchange and a strategic checkpoint.

Managers remain key stakeholders in the success of the ongoing processes.

A Committee Under Transition

Held in a hybrid format at the Bedford Hotel in Brussels, the SDC meeting began with preparatory sessions for trade unions and employers, followed by a full plenary attended by all social partners.

The day’s discussions centered on reforming the structure and functioning of the Committee, enhancing bilateral cooperation between trade unions and employers, and assessing the Commission’s progress under the Social Dialogue Pact.

CEC maintains its readiness to engage constructively in the more technical and thematic negotiations ahead, particularly when issues relate to digitalisation, workplace leadership, and the quality of employment.

Spotlight on the Pact and Digitalisation

A major focus of the day was assessing the Commission’s delivery of its commitments under the Pact for European Social Dialogue.

Participants expressed both recognition of the Commission’s €500 million funding commitment for strengthening national dialogue structures and concern over delays in appointing a Social Dialogue Envoy and clarifying procedures for transforming agreements into EU legislation.

One of the most tangible outputs of the meeting was the presentation of the joint implementation report on the 2020 Autonomous Framework Agreement on Digitalisation.

While social partners acknowledged the achievements — including a new digital tool highlighting implementation examples — they also underlined ongoing challenges, such as uneven collective bargaining coverage and post-pandemic-related delays.

CEC views the digitalisation dossier as central to the future of managerial work. As digital tools, Artificial Intelligence, and hybrid models reshape workplaces, managers are increasingly expected to mediate complex transitions — a perspective CEC will continue to bring to future discussions, such as with the position paper on Leadership and Partnership for Purposeful Artificial Intelligence.

Afternoon Exchange with Director General Mario Nava

The afternoon session marked a significant moment in the meeting, with the participation of Mario Nava, Director General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL).

Nava presided over the exchange between the Commission and social partners, providing updates on the Commission’s roadmap for enhancing social dialogue and addressing partners’ earlier criticisms.

Nava acknowledged the pressing need to improve transparency and predictability in consultation processes and affirmed the Commission’s intent to build capacity across Member States.

He also highlighted the Commission’s forthcoming training programme for social dialogue coordinators and reiterated the link between the Pact and the EU’s broader employment and social priorities.

CEC European Managers welcomed the Director General’s intervention as an important signal of continued political will to support social dialogue.

European Commission’s leadership is essential for translating policy ambition into practical improvements, especially in areas where managers play a critical implementation role — such as skills development, organisational transformation, and fostering quality jobs.

National Perspectives

The meeting also featured an exchange of national updates from social partners, painting a diverse picture of labour market developments across Europe.

From collective bargaining gains in Denmark to rising political volatility in the Netherlands and social dialogue challenges in countries like Finland and Ireland, the conversation underscored the varying realities shaping social dialogue implementation.

CEC listened attentively to these national insights, recognising that the experiences of managers are deeply tied to their national policy environments.

CEC European Managers continues to advocate for mechanisms that better integrate managerial perspectives into EU-level social dialogue, particularly as new initiatives on the green and digital transitions gain traction.

Cross-industry social dialogue

Cross-industry social dialogue covers the whole economy and labour market.

The Social Dialogue Committee:

  • is the main body for cross-industry social dialogue at European level;
  • it consists of representatives of the recognised European cross-industry social partners and their national member organisations;
  • it meets 3-4 times a year to discuss employment and social topics of common interest, to adopt texts negotiated by both parties and plan future activities.

At cross-industry level, the European social dialogue takes place between the following organisations: