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Google free translation service: Deutsch, Français, Español, Italiano, Português - About these links Press areaTrade-unions meet Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of European Commission 7 February 2008 A delegation of six ETF- USF- EPSU (*) representatives met Jacques Barrot on the 5th of February 2008 in Brussels. The second legislative package of the Single European Sky and the future of Eurocontrol were the two topics for the discussion. First, the three Trade-Unions underlined that they were sharing the same views and were able to speak with one voice on all the subjects. ETF gave a presentation about European ATM personnel’s feeling at a time when drafting of the second SES package has just begun. They underlined the convergence with the Commission on some objectives and the fears of ATM personnel about the possible consequences of defragmenting the sector and about consequences of introducing pure economic objectives. At Mr Barrot’s request, ETF gave some examples of unsolved difficulties that European Controllers and other ATM personnel are facing. The Commission was requested to consider three points when drafting the legislation: 1. The involvement of ATM personnel in all the aspects of shaping the ATM future. Despite the remarkable amount of good work already been done by the Social Partners (CANSO and ETF), their common work has not been taken on board as it should have been. It is time to give an emphasis on the role of the Social Dialogue Committee in the future legislation. 2. Cooperation among all players of the ATM industry should be clearly highlighted and any competition should be rejected. A dynamic European cooperative scheme could bring short and medium term substantial improvements. 3. Competence of ATM personnel is vital for safety and quality of Air Traffic Services. ETF asks for an extension of the licensing scheme to all personnel of the Safety chain. USF gave a presentation of the current situation of Eurocontrol and of the interrogations for its future. It also showed the analysis that could be made of both the intergovernmental approach and of the Community approach. USF asked for a sound examination of all the possibilities, keeping in mind the interests of Eurocontrol staff which should not be affected. USF fully shares the view that the Community Institutions need to fully play their role as the legislator for single sky issues. In this meeting, Mr Barrot showed a very good listening capacity and a willingness to understand very concretely the difficulties. He concluded the meeting with 3 decisions asking the Commission services: 1. To organise, before the presentation by the Commission of the second Single European Sky package (SSESP), a “social” seminar in order to know better the requests formulated by the social partners and other European trade-union organisations. 2. To examine if the ATM Social Dialogue Committee can have a specific role in the implementation of the SSESP. 3. To closely associate the ATM personnel in the building of the Functional Airspace Blocks. He added that it is necessary to “demystify” the defragmentation issue and more specifically what is called “consolidation” of the sector. He indicated that cooperation was the objective for the ATM industry that cannot be managed in a competitive manner. As for Eurocontrol, he expressed the willingness of evolving, in the end, towards a Community response. The Commission is currently exploring different solutions which could bring more transparency and more consultation. After the meeting, ETF Political Secretary François Ballestero said “Mr Barrot asked very specific questions in order to find the balanced approach between all the interested parties. ETF believes that he wishes to find solutions for the Air Traffic Controllers and for all the ATM personnel”. ____________________ * EPSU, the European Federation of Public Service Unions, is a free and democratic Federation of independent trade union organisations for employees in public services in Europe. The Federation speaks on behalf of over 190 public sector unions representing over 8 million organised workers in national and European administrations, local and regional government, health and social services and public utilities (ATM, energy, waste and water). USF, Union Syndicale Fédérale des Services Publics européens et internationaux, is a member organisation of EPSU. USF is the largest European federation of civil servants and employees recruited by European or international public service organisations. USF has branches in 22 organisations including the EU Institutions, Eurocontrol and a number of EU agencies. ETF, the European Transport Workers' Federation, is a pan-European trade union organisation, which embraces 223 transport and fisheries trade unions from 40 countries in the European Union, the European Economic Area and Central and Eastern Europe. The ETF is the recognized social partner in the civil aviation social dialogue committee and represents more than 2,5 million transport workers. ENDS For more information please contact: François Ballestero European Transport Workers' Federation
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