UĦM Voice of the Workers eMagazine issue 19

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VOICE OF THE

WORKERS ISSUE 19 may 2014

Contents

Both sides of the Coin As the proverb goes, it takes two to tango. Trade Unions and employers’ organisations were traditionally warring factions, each trying to score over the other, with a win-lose situation being a very likely outcome. However, the social partners need to be seen as two sides of the same coin. Both sides of a coin are different. But for that coin to make sense and be of any use, the value has to be the same on both sides. And a coin with just one side to it is rendered practically useless. This is the value of bi-partite social dialogue. We need each other VOICE OF THE

WORKERS

to achieve success. However, the effectiveness of this social dialogue is dependent on a number of prerequisites. One of these, for example, is the aspect of collaboration between organisations on the same side of the coin. In order to provide the best possible basis for dialogue, there has to be more collaboration amongst trade unions. We need to invest more in making a shift in how unions perceive each other, and how they can work more together for the increased welfare of their members. It is our responsibility to achieve this. Failing to do so

Can we build bridges?

02

European Social Dialogue

03

Bipartite Dialogue at EU level

04

Bi-partite dialogue: A vital instrument

05

Cross-industry Bipartite Social Dialogue

06

Editor’s note josef Vella will work against the interests of the workers we represent, and weakens the social dialogue process in general. In the relationship between Unions and Employers’ organisations, UHM feels that there is the need for both sides to elevate the basis of our discussions by using facts rather than emotions. The cries of families going hungry on one side, and the tragic consequences of a company losing its profits, need to be put into perspective. They cannot keep being used as emotional trump cards, as over1


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