The development of trade union structures and social dialogue in Central Europe is closely linked to the struggle for access to information, worker participation, and effective collective bargaining.

The CETUN network recognises that addressing these challenges requires sustained commitment and strong international cooperation.

These issues were at the centre of the CETUN conference and study presentation held on 27 January 2026 at the ÖGB headquarters in Vienna, to which CELSI contributed through its research and expertise.

The event addressed a key challenge facing Central Europe: how to strengthen social dialogue and trade union collective power amid economic transformation, political pressures, and diverging labour market developments across the region.

After opening statements by Wolfgang Katzian, President of ÖGB and ETUC, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria (video message), and Jürgen Czernohorszky, City of Vienna Executive Councillor for Climate, Environment, Democracy and Personnel, the conference focused on the presentation of the new CELSI study “Challenges and Pathways to Effective Social Dialogue in Central Europe”.

Tibor Meszmann presented the study findings, drawing on comparative research and survey evidence from CETUN member countries. The study maps key barriers to effective social dialogue and identifies pathways to strengthen trade union coordination, representation, and influence at national and regional levels.

Marta Kahancová subsequently took part in the panel discussion “Converging Paths: Strengthening Trade Unions’ Collective Power and Social Dialogue across Europe”, together with Čedanka Andrić (UGS Nezavisnost, Serbia; ETUC Vice President), Korinna Schumann (Federal Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection of Austria), and Róbert Zlati (President of MASZSZ, Hungary).

The discussion was moderated by Ernst Gelegs, long-time foreign correspondent for Central and Eastern Europe and former Head of the ORF Budapest Office.

The conference was organised within the Central European Trade Union Network (CETUN), which brings together trade unions across the region to strengthen cooperation, exchange experience, and promote common priorities at European level.

CELSI’s contribution builds on sustained engagement with CETUN throughout 2025, including three co-creative workshops organised by CELSI in November 2025 with trade union representatives from Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

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FOTO: ÖGB - Roland de Roo