Description
This project builton the results of the project “Social Dialogue Schemes for Decent Work in the public sector at municipal level”, and the aim was to strengthen tripartite dialogue at the local level within the municipal public sector in Poland. The project responded to a specific need to improve working conditions for public sector employees which are poor due to lack of a well-functioning social dialogue involving direct negotiations with local governments and not only between trade unions and the public services employers.
The project continued to test and improve the tripartite model and methods developed under the first project, and pilot tripartite negotiations took place in two new municipalities, and based on the evaluation of agreements concluded, updated the model and disseminate results.
The project included the following main activities:
1. Project management and monitoring, including a kick off meeting and 2 Steering Committee meetings
2. Updating the model based on evaluation and pilot negotiations in 2 towns, including Preparatory visits with appointment of local negotiation coordinator and preparatory seminar, evaluation of agreements concluded during the former project by appointed evaluation coordinator, pilot tests including NSZZ experts and local representatives, local tests report and final test report
3. Study visits to Norway for 18 participants, and study visit to Poland for 7 Norwegian experts/representatives
4. Dissemination and publicity on website and articles in on-line/internet media
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the underdeveloped social dialogue in the municipal public sector in Poland. The main challenge was the "triangle of disability," where trade unions could only negotiate with direct employers, such as school or library directors, who had limited decision-making powers. This situation prevented effective negotiations with the real employers, the local governments, leading to poor working conditions and a lack of immediate trade union intervention.
The project continued the efforts of a previous project by testing and reinforcing methods for tripartite social dialogue in two new municipalities. It involved project management and monitoring, updating the model based on evaluations and pilot negotiations, organising study visits to Norway and Poland, and disseminating the results through websites and online media. The activities included preparatory visits, appointing local negotiation coordinators, conducting pilot tests, and evaluating the agreements concluded during the former project.
The project achieved several outcomes, including an updated model for conducting social dialogue in the local public sector in Poland. It raised awareness among public sector representatives about the importance of social dialogue for creating decent working conditions and improved mutual trust and cooperation between local public sector social partners and local authorities. The beneficiaries of these outcomes were public sector employees, local authorities, and social partners involved in the project.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral cooperation continued in this second phase of the project. The Norwegian partner Fagforbundet organised a study visit to Norway and participated in different activities and events. The project promoter reported that they aquired knowledge on practical aspects of collective bargaining in the public sector in Norway, which benefitted the project in Poland.