Eduardo Cobas Urcelay Social Dialogue Committee (Confederation of European Security Services )

1. Flexicurity - What are the challenges for the National and European social partnersThe private security industry position Eduardo Cobas Urcelay Social Dialogue Committee (Confederation of European Security Services) Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

2. CoESS in Europe 22 Active, 5 Associated and 2 Corresponding Members Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

3. CoESS today – some facts & figures • Some 30.000 companies • Representing approximately 1.300.000 employees • Recognised by the European Commission as a representative employers’ organisation • Secretariat: Brussels (Belgium) • www.coess.org • More than 10 years of active social dialogue with UNI-Europa Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

4. Our social dialogue with UNI-Europa (I) • General documents/principles • Code of Conduct and ethics • Model of Private Security • Regulatory issues • Regulation and licensing;harmonisation • Directive on Services • Training • Basic training • Specialised training Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

5. Our social dialogue with UNI-Europa (II) • Organisation of work • Market conditions • Best Value • Undeclared work • Health and safety • Enlargement Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

6. FlexicurityA common CoESS-UNI-Europa position Agreement CoESS-Euro-FIET (1998) The following themes constitute priorities for joint discussion and action... developments on social dialogue on the constraints and developments on labour organisation and flexibility of working time, starting from specific problems within the sector Joint Declaration on Modernisation of Work (2000) Clients are demanding increasing flexibility on the part of service providers. In view of this, CoESS and UNI-Europa believe that it is necessary to consider practical ways of adapting to this change. However, CoESS and UNI-Europa also believe that these changes should take place against a background of improvements in job security and the quality of private life. Code of Conduct (2003) An appropriate balance must be found between two needs: job security and the quality of life on the one hand, and the requests and the needs of the clients, on the other Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

7. SPOT I. Private Security and Work Organisation (I) • Sector developments: The private security sector is marked by what is termed its “refuge” function. When the economic situation deteriorates and the number of layoffs goes up, the sector offers employment to workers with poor qualifications or whose employment has been affected by recession. When this happens, these workers find refuge in the private security sector. This works both ways: when the situation is more boyant, some workers leave the profession to return to their former one. Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

8. SPOT I. Private Security and Work Organisation (II) • Labour movements-staff turnover: Rotating a part of the staff is one the techniques used in managing labour in the private security sector. Flexibility due to variations in demands from customers can be offset by the creation of a permanent reserve pool of labour and by using mobile, quickly-trained labour, possibly short to mid term temporary workers. In spite of it, staff turnover is the source of many problems: negative image of surveillance , chaotic organisation of the work, training costs and fear of lost investment, loss of expertise, recruitment costs and the inherent risk of taking on new staff. Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

9. Social Dialogue Committee. Private Security.Plenary Meeting. 15 December 2006 • Short presentation from the European Commission and exchange of views • Ingredients: • Flexible contractual arrangements • Lifelong learning • Various playing fields: • Contractual diversity & equal treatment • Flexible working hours & combination security • Task flexibility & right to training Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

10. UNI-Europa and CoESS position • No specific contribution to the debate • Role of regulators • National role of social partners • Despite of it • Continuous focus on training • MOWO project • Our own respective ways Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

11. CoESS contributions • Action at European Union level to promote the active inclusion of the people furthest from the labour market: • Our sector could still play an important role in the process of active inclusion in the labour market. Active inclusion in the labour market can only be obtained while focusing on the importance of training. • Reconciliation of Professional, Private and Family life: • The particular organisation of work of the private security services allows potential candidates to enter our sector with the necessary degree of flexibility (part time arrangements) that allows a right balance of conciliation of professional, private and family life. Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

12. Some final remarks (I) • We are still a growing industry • Capacity to integrate people • Regulated industry – not unnecessary bureaucracy • A more and more segmented industry • Different companies – professional careers Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

13. Some final remarks (II) • The nature of our work • 24 hours /365 days • Improvements in Work Organisation – best practices • The triangular relationship (client´s role) • Need for flexibility • Collective agreements role: transfer of undertakings (security) Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.

14. Some final remarks (III) • Flexible contractual arrangements • Not too strict regulations , e.g., subcontracting • The importance of lifelong training • An important common role to be played by social agents Flexicurity Conference. UNI-Europa.