The role of social dialogue and collective agreements in building the European social model

The modern European concept of collective labour relations is based on the social dialogue, which represents an opportunity for ensuring permanent social peace. The social dialogue is regulated by the provisions of the primary European law, conducted at the supranational level by the social partners functioning in the European social area. It is also an important model for conducting dialogue by the social partners in the EU Member States and for establishment by the authorities of particular EU Member States of the principles and procedures for the social dialogue in the labour law systems. The freedom of association, collective bargaining, social dialogue and quality of collective labour relations are the fundamental elements of the European social model. The collective bargaining as being a part of this model should promote workplace democracy, redistribution of resources, and efficiency of employment relations. However, collective agreements that may be concluded at the European level are still a novelty in the legislative system of European labour law and they do not play a role as the alternative sources of European labour law.