On 13 and 14 October 2026, trade union and employer representatives from the metal and automotive sectors in Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia met in Bratislava.

They came to learn from one another how to respond to the current challenges of digitalisation, automation and decarbonisation.

First, researchers Sakshi Methkupally, Gabriele Medas and Paulien Osse from WageIndicator Foundation presented the collective agreements database, with its new inspirative results and tools.

Next, the trade unions OS KOVO (Czechia), Vasas (Hungary) and OZ KOVO (Slovakia) shared their insights and the main points of their strategies.

The employer organisations MGYOSZ / BusinessHungary and the Slovak Engineering Industry Association (ZSP SR) did the same.

On the second day, CELSI researchers led the participants in group work on shared learning points and on the structure of their strategies.

OZ KOVO hosted this SEAD mutual learning event.

It followed the SEAD internal trainings on strategic organisational development for all social partners operating in automotives which took place between June and October 2026 in Bratislava, Budapest and Prague.

These internal trainings were also co-facilitated by CELSI, but our researchers provided also expertise.

SEAD supports employers and trade unions in Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia in strengthening social dialogue and shaping policies that address digitalisation, automation and decarbonisation in the automotive industry.

Alongside CELSI, the project partners are České priority, WageIndicator Foundation, NELA, OZ KOVO, the Slovak Engineering Industry Association, MGYOSZ / BusinessHungary, Vasas Szakszervezeti Szövetség, and the European partners industriAll Europe and CEEMET.

Thank you to OZ KOVO for hosting, and to all participants for two days of open discussion.

🔗 More about the SEAD project: https://celsi.sk/en/SEAD-project/

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