EuropeActive has signed an “historic memorandum of co-operation” with UNI-Europa and the European Association of Sport Employers (EASE) to advance the position of social dialogue for the European fitness sector.

EuropeActive’s president-elect, Sir Graham Watson, recently put pen to paper in Brussels on the pledge, which EuropeActive says “sets the position for the future of social dialogue for the sport and active leisure sectors.”

Following EuropeActive’s management of the DIAL (Social Dialogue In Active Leisure) project in 2014, it became clear that it was an imperative to establish a higher level of cooperation, and to support the view of the European Commission in this increasingly important area of work. European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker recently stated: “I am a strong believer in the social market economy – and the social market economy can only work if there is social dialogue. Social partners can identify the greatest needs and opportunities – helping us to invest, grow and create jobs. Their support and participation is essential.”

EuropeActive has outlined its commitment to working closely with its social partners – employers and employees – to jointly develop solutions to be a driving force for the continued successful economic development of the fitness industry at a European level.

The Juncker Commission has a refreshed priority that places an emphasis on skills issues, and this has a new significance for actions across the fitness and active leisure sectors. EuropeActive believes that is important to preserve the current political momentum and to adopt a transversal approach that is designed to identify skills needs, gaps and shortages, supporting growth and developing more sustainable jobs.

Following the signature of the so-called Covenant for Cooperation in European Sectoral Social Dialogue for the Sport and Active Leisure Sectors, Sir Graham Watson said: “This is an important step forward in demonstrating our representative position to help our sector to grow and prosper through well-founded policies and industrial relations.”