Social dialogue: defending democracy in practice

In the face of the threat from the far right, trade unions represent democracy’s strongest supporters.

https://www.socialeurope.eu/social-dialogue-defending-democracy-in-practice



The European Parliament elections last month provided a platform for the far right and its anti-democratic agenda. Wherever the far right gets into power, workers’ fundamental rights and their unions are at risk. This trend can also be seen at national level, with trade unions undermined and attacked by political actors who see unions, collective bargaining and social dialogue as obstacles to their aims. Social dialogue is needed more than ever to safeguard and improve our democracies and welfare models. Whereas the far right seeks to centralise and monopolise power, trade unions, through social dialogue and collective bargaining, empower workers at all levels—from the shop floor to the hallways of the European institutions.

Social dialogue is a joint commitment to the foundations of democracy and the sharing of power. When people experience democracy, they truly grasp its importance. By getting together to pursue common interests—finding the right balance of priorities on which to bargain and, where necessary, taking collective action and making the necessary concessions to reach compromises—workers embed democratic practice in everyday life. By identifying what unites them in their diversity, and taking action to win concrete improvements, they gain a sense of agency and control over their lives and communities. Study after study shows that trade unionists are more likely than others to harbour pro-democratic opinions and take on active roles in contributing to civic life outside of work. Strengthening trade unionism and social dialogue is thus highly effective in protecting and strengthening democracy’s immune system. This must be the focus of European Union action for the incoming mandate.

Hard-learned lessons

Strong trade-union rights and respect for social dialogue was fundamental to mapping a way through the social and economic devastation after World War II. Having active, engaged workers, able to express their views and empowered to protect their interests through trade unions, was seen as necessary to rebuild Europe’s societies and economies, thereby strengthening its democracies. These hard-learned lessons still apply today. Our democracies are predicated on trade unions keeping governments and companies in check, through social dialogue and collective bargaining. The fair redistribution of wealth and productivity—made possible through collective bargaining—is a condition for sustainable growth and safe and peaceful societies. Most policy-makers today have once again become aware of the threat coming from unfettered capitalism, yet they have been inconsistent in countering it. Real wages are falling while companies profits are rising, despite unions’ best efforts. More needs to be done to ensure a fair distribution of the value workers create.

After decades of the practice of neoliberal ideas we know the protection of society cannot be delegated to the ‘invisible (and unaccountable) hand’ of the market. One way to regulate it is through direct intervention by the state. Governments passing laws may provide a degree of accountability but real results will depend on how social partners are involved. A more effective approach is intervention by the actors in the labour market themselves: capital and labour, employers’ organisations and trade unions. Self-regulation through collective agreements provides a democratic, efficient and dynamic way to improve working conditions. EU member states have recognised the fundamental importance of collective bargaining in the directive on adequate minimum wages and the recommendation on strengthening social dialogue.

Powerful tool.............................

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