This essay highlights important developments in the European social dialogue in the transport sector. Moreover it assesses the value of the European social dialogue for this sector.
First there is an overview over the transport sector in the EU and its social dialogues.
Then it focusses in more detail on maritime transport and civil aviation, where the most significant outcomes can be observed.
Table of Contents
1.) Introduction
2.) Characteristics of the transport sector
3.) Maritime transport and civil aviation
3.1. Maritime transport
3.1.1. The branch
3.1.2. Actors in the social dialogue
3.1.3. Outcomes of the social dialogue and future prospects
3.2. Civil aviation
3.2.1. The branch
3.2.2. Actors in the social dialogue
3.2.3. Outcomes of the social dialogue and future prospects
4.) Assessment of the value of the Social Dialogue for the transport sector
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the evolution, current state, and efficacy of the European sectoral social dialogue within the transport industry, specifically examining whether it functions as a meaningful mechanism for collective bargaining or primarily as a discussion forum. The central research question assesses the value of these dialogues in light of varying legal outcomes and the challenges posed by EU integration.
- Overview of the five branches of the EU transport sector.
- Detailed analysis of maritime transport and civil aviation.
- Evaluation of the impact of joint opinions and EU Council Directives on working time.
- Challenges of EU enlargement for autonomous collective bargaining.
- Analysis of the institutional power dynamics between employers and employee organizations.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.3. Outcomes of the social dialogue and future prospects
Since 1991 quite a number of joint texts covering ad wide scope of issues have been issued. They deal for instance with health issues or customs duties.
In 1996 the Commission together with the social partners held a conference on the topic “Is the EU Seafarer and endangered species?”, which considered employment and training possibilities for EU seafarers. As result a Dublin Follow-up process was launched which tries to establish and deepen the co-operation between all involved actors and the EU. (European Commission: 1996) This topic will still in the future remain one of the most urgent ones.
Several joint text deal with the problem of skilled labour force shortage, the last one in 2001 on “recruitment and training of sailors in Europe”. (Broughton: 2003) But all these texts remain just opinions, which are legally not binding and enforceable.
Despite internal topics, the partners have also found a number of common positions to questions of international concern, for instance supporting the ratification of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention on seafarer’s hours of work, piracy, training and recruitment of seafarers in Europe. (European Commission: 2003, p. 39)
But the most significant outcome of the social dialogue is the “Joint opinion on the organisation of working time” from 1996 which was put to the Commission with the request to be given legal effects through a Council Directive. It was then transposed to EU Law by the Council Directive 1999/63/EC according to Art. 139 (2) of the Treaty of the European Communities (EC). (European Commission: 2003, p. 8)
Summary of Chapters
1.) Introduction: This chapter defines the scope of the essay, which is to analyze developments in the European social dialogue within the transport sector and assess its overall value.
2.) Characteristics of the transport sector: An overview of the five transport branches and their historical development regarding the establishment of Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees.
3.) Maritime transport and civil aviation: This section investigates the specific actors, industry challenges, and social dialogue outcomes within the two most vibrant transport branches.
3.1. Maritime transport: Examines employment trends, the role of ECSA and ETF, and the impact of joint opinions on working conditions.
3.1.1. The branch: Discusses the economic structure, labor shortage issues, and international competition in maritime transport.
3.1.2. Actors in the social dialogue: Details the primary employer and employee organizations recognized by the Commission in the maritime sector.
3.1.3. Outcomes of the social dialogue and future prospects: Reviews the effectiveness of joint texts and the landmark Council Directive regarding working time.
3.2. Civil aviation: Analyzes the complex landscape of civil aviation, focusing on its growth, sector crises, and the wider range of participating social partners.
3.2.1. The branch: Provides data on employment and identifies key challenges like the "Single European Sky" project.
3.2.2. Actors in the social dialogue: Identifies the diverse organizations representing airlines, airports, cabin crew, and ground staff.
3.2.3. Outcomes of the social dialogue and future prospects: Highlights the shift from consultative recommendations to legally binding agreements on working time in aviation.
4.) Assessment of the value of the Social Dialogue for the transport sector: Provides a critical reflection on whether the social dialogue acts as a genuine bargaining platform or merely as a discussion forum, constrained by a lack of mandate and diverging national systems.
Keywords
European social dialogue, transport sector, maritime transport, civil aviation, sectoral social dialogue committees, SSDC, working time directive, collective bargaining, European integration, employment, labour policy, joint opinion, EU Council Directive, social partners, industrial relations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work focuses on the development and efficacy of the European sectoral social dialogue specifically within the transport industry, examining its role and achievements.
Which areas of the transport sector are examined in detail?
The essay provides an in-depth analysis of maritime transport and civil aviation, as these branches demonstrate the most vibrant social dialogue activities.
What is the central research question?
The central question is to assess the actual value of the European social dialogue for the transport sector, questioning whether it constitutes true collective bargaining or merely serves as a procedural discussion forum.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The author conducts a comparative analysis of existing European Commission reports, literature on industrial relations, and specific case studies within different transport branches to evaluate policy outcomes.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers the history of joint committees, the current actors involved in the social dialogue, the significance of joint opinions, and the challenges posed by EU enlargement.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The most important keywords include European social dialogue, transport sector, collective bargaining, Council Directives, and industrial relations.
How did the 1996 Joint Opinion on working time change the sector?
It was a landmark achievement because it was transposed into EU Law via a Council Directive, thereby making a previously non-binding opinion legally enforceable in a sector that was initially excluded from the 1993 working time directive.
Why is the inland waterways branch described as "limping"?
The branch is characterized as limping because its Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee has been inactive since January 2000, failing to meet and produce outcomes.
What is the main obstacle to more powerful European collective bargaining?
The primary obstacle is that European collective bargaining would need to harmonize national systems that are currently only to some extent compatible, combined with a lack of mandate from member organizations to conclude binding agreements.
- Quote paper
- Georg Schwedt (Author), 2003, The European social dialogue on sectoral level: transport, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/54541
