Weber, Tina

TheEuropean Commission tabled a proposal for a Directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community [1] on 11 November 1998, following the refusal by the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) to enter into European-level negotiations on the subject under the provisions of the Maastricht social policy Agreement (EU9812135F [2]). The information and consultation requirements contained in the draft Directive would apply to all undertakings with at least 50 employees, which is thought to imply a coverage of 3% of European Union enterprises, employing 58.2% of employees. The approach is to lay down minimum requirements while encouraging agreements between the social partners at the appropriate levels. The adoption of the Directive, highlighted as a priority by the German EU Presidency of the first half of 1999, will require the support of a qualified majority of Member State governments in the Council of Ministers. [1] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/directen.pdf [2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/commission-tables-draft-directive-on-national-information-and-consultation

The European Commission has always placed significant emphasis on the social dialogue between employers' organisation and trade unions, given that the development of the European Union and its policies has a significant impact on employers and employees, while at the same time depending on public approval for its legitimation. Following the adoption of the Maastricht Treaty on European Union and the annexed social policy Protocol and Agreement [1], the position of the European-level social partners has been further boosted by giving them a more powerful role in the EU's social policy decision-making process, notably allowing them to reach agreements which can take the place of legislation in some circumstances. These new powers have successfully been put into effect at the intersectoral level with the negotiation of the framework agreements on parental leave [2] (TN9801201S [3]) and part-time work [4] (EU9706131F [5]) - both of which have been implemented by Council Directives - and the January 1999 draft agreement on fixed-term contracts (EU9901147F [6]). At the sectoral level, an agreement has been reached on working time in the maritime sector (EU9802182F [7]), which is also to be implemented via a Directive (EU9901144F [8]). [1] http://www.europa.eu.int/abc/obj/treaties/en/entr8i.htm [2] http://europa.eu.int/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=en&numdoc=31996L0034&model=guichett [3] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/erm/comparative-information/the-eu-parental-leave-agreement-and-directive-implications-for-national-law-and-practice [4] http://europa.eu.int/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=en&numdoc=31997L0081&model=guichett [5] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/social-partners-reach-framework-agreement-on-part-time-work [6] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-working-conditions/social-partners-reach-draft-framework-agreement-on-fixed-term-contracts [7] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/working-conditions-undefined-industrial-relations/social-partners-propose-draft-directive-on-working-time-in-the-european-maritime-sector [8] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-working-conditions/commission-proposes-directives-to-end-exclusion-of-sectors-from-working-time-directive

On 13 November 1998, the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) adopted its position paper on the European Commission Communication on Adapting and promoting the social dialogue at Community level [1], issued in May 1998 (EU9806110F [2]) While UNICE expresses support for the general objectives set out in the Communication, it regrets the Commission's decision to "adopt in great haste its proposal for a decision on sectoral social dialogue committees, replacing replacing all previous sectoral dialogue structures", and to submit its proposal for a Council Decision reforming theStanding Committee on Employment before the social partners had an opportunity to express their views. [1] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/soc-dial/social/com322_en.pdf [2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-industrial-relations/the-european-social-dialogue-impasse-or-new-opportunities

The European Council summit meeting held under the Austrian Presidency in Vienna on 11-12 December 1998 reaffirmed employment as "the top priority of the European Union" and commended the Member States on their efforts made in implementing the 1998 Employment Guidelines [1], which, it argued, have contributed to a reduction in the average unemployment rate to under 10%. Nevertheless, it is stated in the Presidency conclusions [2] that more needs to be done using a comprehensive approach, encompassing: macroeconomic policies directed towards growth and stability; economic reform promoting competitiveness; and employment policies designed to improve employability, adaptability, equal opportunities and job creation in existing and new enterprises. [1] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/empl&esf/docs/guideen.htm [2] http://ue.eu.int/newsroom/LoadDoc.cfm?MAX=1&DOC=!!!&BID=76&DID=56427&GRP=15

The end of 1998 marked a milestone in the development of the European Union. On 1 January 1999, 11 Member States officially adopted the European single currency, the euro (the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union, EMU). Of the EU Member States, only Denmark, Greece, Sweden and the UK remain outside the "euro-zone", but it appears inevitable to many observers that at least most of these countries will join the single currency in the not too distant future. In 1998, the impact of EMU on industrial relations was assessed more widely than before and was the subject of keen debate for the social partners at European, national and regional levels.

The nature of the organisation and delivery of postal services in the European Union has undergone significant restructuring over the last decade, partly as a result of technological changes and changes in consumer demand, and partly as a result of changes in the national and transnational policy environment. The latter changes led to a degree of liberalisation in relation to certain aspects of the provision of postal services. With the exception of Sweden and Finland, all Member States retain a single public sector operator, enjoying a monopoly over certain retained services. However, there are an increasing number of more or less specialised private sector providers operating in this area. These private providers have been able to secure a substantial share of the high value-added services market not covered by the post office monopoly and have been particularly successful in establishing high-quality, high-reliability operations in door-to-door delivery services.

The meeting of the Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers on 2 December 1998 (EU9812142N [1]) failed to reach an agreement on the Austrian Presidency's latest compromise version of the draft Directive on worker involvement in the European Company Statute (ECS). This is the latest setback in the long history of negotiations on this issue which go back nearly three decades. The ECS was first put forward in the early 1970s and was intended to allow the setting up of a new type of company, incorporated under European rather than national law, and enjoying a number of tax advantages. Despite interest among the business community in this new form of company, successive proposals have failed to enter the statute book, largely as a result of seemingly insurmountable disagreements in relation to the nature of worker involvement in such companies. [1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/social-affairs-council-agrees-health-and-safety-directives

In the days prior to the European Council summit meeting in Vienna on 11-12 December 1998, the European-level social partners in the cleaning industry - the European Regional Organisation of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical Employees (Euro-FIET) and the European Federation of Cleaning Industries (EFCI) - signed a joint declaration calling for an end to undeclared work in the sector.

At a December 1998 sectoral social dialogue meeting, the European Committee of Food, Catering and Allied Workers' Unions within the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (ECF-IUF) and the European Committee of Sugar Manufacturers (Comité Européen des Fabricants de Sucre, CEFS) signed a joint declaration on vocational training in the sugar industry.

The 1999 Employment Guidelines put forward by the European Commission in draft form on 14 October 1998 emphasised the need for continuity and called on Member States to build on the progress made under the 4 main pillars of action: