Workers’Involvementin MultinationalCompanies: AChallenge fortheTradeUnions intheMetalworkingSector

22nd-23rd November 2006

International Trade Union House, Brussels

1stEMFCompanyPolicyConference

This publication is supported by the European Commission

European Metalworkers’ FederationInternational Trade Union House (ITUH)Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 5 (bte 10)B-1210 Brussels

Tel.:+32/(0) 2/227 10 10 Fax:+32/(0)2/217 59 63

E-mail: emf@emf-fem.org Website: www.emf-fem.org

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Contents

Participants.........................................................................................................................................................................3

Welcome,.Peter Scherrer....................................................................................................................................................5

Workers’.Involvement.in.Europe:.Current.Challenges.and.Future.Prospects,.Norbert Kluge............................5

Workers’.Participation:.A.Precondition.for.a.Social.Europe,.Berthold Huber.........................................................7

Political.Evaluation.and.Strategic.Views.on.EMF.Activities,.Luc Triangle................................................................�0

Reports.from.the.Workshops......................................................................................................................................�4

Trans‑national.Restructuring:.The.EMF.Handbook,.Isabelle Barthes.......................................................................�9

Areva:.Equality.in.the.Workplace,.Maureen Kearney...................................................................................................2�

Arcelor:.Health.and.Safety.Convention,.Pierre Coletti...............................................................................................22

Concluding.Remarks,.Peter Scherrer..............................................................................................................................24

Appendix...........................................................................................................................................................................27.

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Gustav.Zöhrer,.Austria,.GMTN

Roland.David,.Belgium,.ABVV‑Metaal

Jo.De.Mey,.Belgium,.ABVV‑Metaal

Marc.Demuynck,.Belgium,.ABVV‑Metaal

Fidel.Gavilan,.Belgium,.ABVV‑Metaal

Steve.Meyers,.Belgium,.ABVV‑Metaal

Luc.Muller,.Belgium,.ABVV‑Metaal

Hans.Van.Maldegem,.Belgium,.ABVV‑Metaal

Piet.Decavele,.Belgium,.CCMB

Joris.Devriese,.Belgium,.CCMB

Joost.Dierick,.Belgium,.CCMB

Roger.Lenoble,.Belgium,.CCMB

Joeri.Masscheilein,.Belgium,.CCMB

Carlos.Senaeve,.Belgium,.CCMB

Luc.Triangle,.Belgium,.CCMB

Michel.Van.Mellaert,.Belgium,.CCMB

Marc.Vanpaemel,.Belgium,.CCMB

Bernard.Wilmotte,.Belgium,.CCMB

Puraye.Arlette,.Belgium,.CNE/CSC

Gerald.Audaz,.Belgium,.EMF.Secretariat

Isabelle.Barthes,.Belgium,.EMF.Secretariat

Bruno.Berghmans,.Belgium,.EMF.Secretariat

Chantal.Carron,.Belgium,.EMF.Secretariat

Hardy.Koch,.Belgium,.EMF.Secretariat

Alicja.Masievic,.Belgium,.EMF.Secretariat

Linda.Rackham,.Belgium,.EMF.Secretariat

Bart.Samyn,.Belgium,.EMF.Secretariat

Peter.Scherrer,.Belgium,.EMF.Secretariat

Annick.Aerts,.Belgium,.LBC‑NVK

Mario.De.Volder,.Belgium,.LBC‑NVK

Bruno.Jennes,.Belgium,.LBC‑NVK

Daniël.Margodt,.Belgium,.LBC‑NVK

François.Pals,.Belgium,.LBC‑NVK

Jef.Peeters,.Belgium,.LBC‑NVK

Veronique.Selleslagh,.Belgium,.LBC‑NVK

Erik.Van.Den.Heede,.Belgium,.LBC‑NVK

Antonio.Cocciolo,.Belgium,.MWB

Benoît.Gerits,.Belgium,.MWB

Antonio.Zonca,.Belgium,.MWB

Claude.Roufosse,.Belgium,.Setca.Federal

Dusan.Bilek,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

Frantisek.Fryzek,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

Alexandra.Hrusovska‑Jurcikova,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

Petr.Jungmann,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

Josef.Lejsek,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

Ludek.Lucan,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

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Zdenek.Nejedly,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

Ivana.Novakova,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

Dana.Sakarova,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

Jaroslav.Soucek,.Czech.Republic,.OS.KOVO

Jorgen.Bjergskov.Nielsen,.Denmark,.CO‑INDUSTRI

Peter.Dragsbaek,.Denmark,.CO‑INDUSTRI

Peter.Rimfort,.Denmark,.CO‑INDUSTRI

Erik.Wilberg,.Denmark,.CO‑INDUSTRI

Bo.Falkencrone,.Denmark,.IDA

Axel.Hansen,.Denmark,.IDA

Arno.Knöpfli,.Denmark,.IDA

Esa.Schön,.Finland,.IL

Juha.Simell,.Finland,.IL

Jari.Hakkarainen,.Finland,.Metalli

Veli.Matti.Kaupinen,.Finland,.Metalli

Antti.Salonen,.Finland,.Metalli

Franck.Don,.France,.CFTC.Métallurgie

Elie.Bensaci,.France,.CFTC.Métallurgie

Patric.Correa,.France,.CFTC.Métallurgie

Lionel.Hein,.France,.CFTC.Métallurgie

Jean‑Gaston.Mouhounou,.France,.CFTC.Métallurgie

Guillaume.Vinter,.France,.CFTC.Métallurgie

Patrick.Auzanneau,.France,.FGMM/CFDT

Pierre.Coletti,.France,.FGMM/CFDT

Alain.Hurstel,.France,.FGMM/CFDT

Maureen.Kearney,.France,.FGMM/CFDT

Charles.Sasso,.France,.FGMM/CFDT

René.Schmitt,.France,.FGMM/CFDT

Philippe.Sirantoine,.France,.FGMM/CFDT

Clariana.Florent,.France,.Force.ouvrière

Mohamed.Brammi,.France,.FTM‑CGT

Bernard.Carlier,.France,.FTM‑CGT

Michel.Clement,.France,.FTM‑CGT

Daniel.Pellet.Robert,.France,.FTM‑CGT

Patrick.Peron,.France,.FTM‑CGT

Gérard.Petitiaux,.France,.FTM‑CGT

Xavier.Petrachi,.France,.FTM‑CGT

Christian.Pilichowski,.France,.FTM‑CGT

Claude.Verdier,.France,.FTM‑CGT

Reinhard.Kühn,.Germany,.BH.Driver

Reiner.Weinert,.Germany,.Freie.Universität.Berlin

Ernst.Gräber,.Germany,.IG.BCE

Iris.Becker,.Germany,.IG.Metall

Heinz.Hawreliuk,.Germany,.IG.Metall

Barbara.Hoffmann,.Germany,.IG.Metall

Berthold.Huber,.Germany,.IG.Metall

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Participants

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Joachim.Leidig,.Germany,.IG.Metall

Sabine.Maassen,.Germany,.IG.Metall

Thilo.Reusch,.Germany,.IG.Metall

Bert.Römer,.Germany,.IG.Metall

Marika.Varga,.Germany,.IG.Metall

Hellmut.Gohde,.Germany

Sándor.Csurgó,.Hungary,.VASAS

Gianni.Alioti,.Italy,.FIM‑CISL

Alberto.Cipriani,.Italy,.FIM‑CISL

Gianfranco.Gasbarro,.Italy,.FIM‑CISL

Luca.Tonelli,.Italy,.FIM‑CISL

Fabio.Di.Gioia,.Italy,.FIOM‑CGIL

Adriana.Geppert,.Italy,.FIOM‑CGIL

Roberto.Giudici,.Italy,.FIOM‑CGIL

Simone.Grisa,.Italy,.FIOM‑CGIL

Sabrina.Petrucci,.Italy,.FIOM‑CGIL

Giovacchino.Pitanti,.Italy,.FIOM‑CGIL

Walter.Zoccolan,.Italy,.FIOM‑CGIL

Franco.Busto,.Italy,.UILM/UIL

Giuliano.Giannetti,.Italy,.UILM/UIL

Gianfranco.Verdini,.Italy,.UILM/UIL

Hasan.Abazi,.Kosovo,.SPMK

David.Büchel,.Luxembourg,.OGB‑L/LCGB

Boudewijn.Berentsen,.Netherlands,.FNV

Sjaak.Sperber,.Netherlands,.FNV

A.R..De.Jong,.Netherlands,.VHP

Hallstein.Sjovoll,.Norway,.Fellesforbundet

Lasse.Breen,.Norway,.NITO

Kirsten.Rydne,.Norway,.NITO

Krzysztof.Andraszewicz,.Poland,.NSZZ.Solidarnosc

Bohdan.Braun,.Poland,.NSZZ.Solidarnosc

Malgorzata.Calinska‑Mayer,.Poland,.NSZZ.Solidarnosc

Adam.Ditmer,.Poland,.NSZZ.Solidarnosc

Piotr.Gorny,.Poland.NSZZ,.Solidarnosc

Stefan.Przybyszewski,.Poland,.NSZZ.Solidarnosc

Mieczyslaw.Siwek,.Poland,.NSZZ.Solidarnosc

Bartlomiej.Soszynski,.Poland,.NSZZ.Solidarnosc

Tadeusz.Szymelfenig,.Poland,.NSZZ.Solidarnosc

Jorge.Abreu,.Portugal,.Fequimetal

Carlos.Carvalho,.Portugal,.Fequimetal

Hosé.Carlos.Dias.Pereira.Da.Silva,.Portugal,.Fequimetal

Rogerio.Silva,.Portugal,.Fequimetal

Jose.Carlos.Silva,.Portugal,.Fequimetal

Ana.Filipe,.Portugal,.SIMA.

Alberti.Simoes,.Portugal,.SIMA

Jose.Simoes,.Portugal,.SIMA

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Monika.Hrusecka,.Slovak.Republic,.OZ.KOVO

Pavol.Ondris,.Slovak.Republic,.OZ.KOVO

Slavica.Cuk,.Slovenia,.SKEI

Arturo.Garcia,.Spain,.FM/CC.OO.

Raúl.Montoya,.Spain,.FM/CC.OO.

Jesús.Ramos,.Spain,.FM/CC.OO.

Antonio.Torres,.Spain,.FM/CC.OO.

Garcia.De.Juana,.Spain,.MCA‑UGT

Antonio.Ruiz.Ocaña,.Spain,.MCA‑UGT

Uno.Borg,.Sweden,.CF

Anette.Lilja,.Sweden,.CF

Göran.Rädahi,.Sweden,.CF

Ulf.Karlsson,.Sweden,.IF.Metall

Leif.Norrbacka,.Sweden,.IF.Metall

Hans.Palmqvist,.Sweden,.IF.Metall

Kent.Kärrlander,.Sweden,.Nordic.IN

Gunilla.Brandt,.Sweden,.SIF

Martina.Juliusson,.Sweden,.SIF

Göran.Linstedt,.Sweden,.SIF

Tore.Sellgren,.Sweden,.SIF

Mikael.Wiström,.Sweden,.SIF

Jim.Donaghy,.United.Kingdom,.Amicus

Chris.Grimshaw,.United.Kingdom,.Amicus

Chris.Hunt,.United.Kingdom,.Amicus

Ian.Methven,.United.Kingdom,.AMICUS

Tony.Murphy,.United.Kingdom,.Amicus

Richard.Rendell,.United.Kingdom,.Amicus

Mike.Smallwood,.United.Kingdom,.Amicus

Ian.Tonks,.United.Kingdom,.Amicus

Paul.Welsh,.United.Kingdom,.Amicus

Gerry.Cullen,.United.Kingdom,.GMB

Patrick.Joseph.Conway,.United.Kingdom,.TGWU

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4

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Welcome

Peter Scherrer EMF General Secretary

Volkswagen in BrusselsVolkswagen.is.planning.to.restructure.its.site.in.Brussels,.jeopardising.its.future,.and.it.was.announced.yesterday.that.up.to.4,000.members.of.staff.will.be.made.redundant...Our.colleagues.have.therefore.decided.to.strike.until.they.hear.a.clear.message.about.the.plant’s.future.from.the.management.

Company policyCompany.policy.plays.an.ever‑greater.role.in.the.work.of.the.EMF...There.has.been.so.much.corporate.restructuring.in.recent.years.that.the.EMF’s.secretariat.is.at.its.capacity,.which.is.an.unfortunate.development...We.have.had.some.successes.but.also.some.failures.with.respect.to.coordinating.trade.union.strategies.in.the.event.of.restructuring...This.is.why.today.we.should.consider.the.experience.we.have.gathered.so.far.and.look.to.the.future...Although.the.EMF.is.a.strong.federation,.it.is.important.that.we.pool.our.resources.with.other.European.industry.federations.

We.have.been.able.to.conclude.330.agreements.to.set.up.EWCs,.although.these.have.been.of.differing.qualities...We.must.discuss.how.to.enhance.this.number.while.improving.the.quality.of.EWCs...Cooperation.between.EWCs.and.trade.unions.is.key.to.the.development.of.a.European.response.in.the.case.of.trans‑national.restructuring...In.company.restructuring,. coordinators. are. paramount. and. we. must. support. their. work.. . Our. objective. is. also. to. conclude.European. framework. agreements.. . It. is. possible. to. create. this. added. value. at. the. European. level. for.workers. in.multinational.companies,.which.will.be.an.important.signal.to.the.upcoming.congress.

Workers’ Involvement in Europe: Current Challenges and Future Prospects

Norbert Kluge Senior Researcher, ETUI‑REHS

OverviewI.will.refer.to.three.activities.of.the.ETUI‑REHS...We.maintain.an.EWC.database,.on.which.we.work.with.the.EMF...The.SEEurope.project.addresses.worker.participation.in.upcoming.Societas.Europaea.(SEs)...Our.project.on.corporate.governance.looks.at.the.link.between.worker.participation.and.corporate.governance.

Achievements to dateA.debate.on.industrial.democracy.started.in.the.�950s,.with.the.intention.of.planning.business.in.accordance.with.social.needs.. .We.are. far.away.from.that. idea.today.. . Instead,.we.have.a.toolbox.. .European.Union.(EU).directives.afford.workers.information.and.consultation.rights...Through.SEs.and.the.European.Cooperative.Society,.there.is.also.provision.for.worker.participation.at.board.level...These.rights.are.safeguarded,.but.there.are.no.European.standards...In.reality,.the.directive.merely.complements.existing.national.systems.of.industrial.relations...We.are.certainly.more.confident.in.the.national.environment,.but.the.challenge.is.to.use.these.provisions.at.the.European.level...Progress.has.been.made. in. the.acceptance.of.EWCs.by. trade.unions.as. tools. for.enhancing. social.dialogue.and.expanding.trade‑union.interests.across.European.borders.in.multinational.companies...However,.the.European.Commission.has.deferred.the.revision.we.have.demanded.of.the.directive...At.the.European.Trade.Union.Confederation.(ETUC).level,.we.have.at.least.settled.the.conflict.over.worker.representation.at.board.level...We.should.take.this.as.a.European.mandate;.we.now.all.work.for.European.rather.than.national.companies,.so.we.have.to.define.ourselves.as.European.too...Article.2.87.of.the.provisional.European.constitution.defines.information.and.consultation.as.a.fundamental.right...Despite.all.the.debates.on.globalisation.and.financial.markets,.this.is.backed.by.a.political.consensus.

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Worker involvement in the SEsInformation,. consultation. and.board‑level. participation. are. the. three.elements.of.worker. involvement.. .The.EWC.directive.sets.out.information.and.consultation.rights,.while.there.has.been.a.standard.on.information.and.consultation.at.the.national.level.since.2000...In.the.directive.on.cross‑border.mergers,.which.has.also.been.transposed.into.national.law,.you.can.find.the.European.standards.on.board‑level.participation.

Facts and figures

EWCs

These.figures.stem.from.our.EWC.database,.which.is.not.always.completely.accurate,.but.they.give.an.impression.of.the.extension.of.EWCs...The.most.rapid.expansions.occurred.in.�995‑�99�,.in.�999.when.the.UK.adopted.the.directive,.and.with.the.accession.of.the.new.member.states...There.are.currently.807.EWCs.and.79�.multinational.companies,.with.around.�5,000.members.of.EWCs.across.Europe...Commissioner.Silva.has.posited.the.lower.number.of.�0,000,.but.I.think.there.are.more.members.acting.as.European.citizens.in.the.workplace.

Room for improvement

There.are.2,204.multinational.companies.in.Europe.affected.by.the.EWC.directive,.but.only.784.have.existing.EWCs...Following.the.accession.of. the.new.member.states,.around.50.new.EWCs.were.set.up.. . It. is.difficult. to.convince.colleagues.to.form.an.EWC,.so.recent.increases.are.the.product.of.hard.work.from.the.EMF.

The probability of an EWC

The.relationship.between.the.size.of.a.company.and.its.tendency.to.have.an.EWC.offers.grounds.for.optimism...Nearly.two‑thirds.of.the.largest.companies.have.EWCs,.which.reflects.the.presence.of.trade.unions.in.large.multinational.companies...There.is.a.close.link.between.the.strength.of.a.trade.union.and.the.probability.of.setting.up.an.EWC...Companies. with. the. widest. geographic. spread. in. Europe. are. also. more. likely. to. have. EWCs,. which. shows. the.willingness.of.management.to.set.up.EWCs...This.might.lead.to.the.conclusion.that.management.deems.EWCs.an.advantage,.as.multinational.companies.are.not.easy.to.govern.so.workers.can.prove.helpful.in.that.regard.

EWC experience

More.than.half.the.existing.EWCs.have.�0.or.more.years’.experience,.so.they.are.a.reality.in.many.companies...They.might.not.run.properly.in.every.case,.but.EWCs.have.become.an.embedded.part.of.multinational.governance...This.experience.allows.EWCs.to.go.further.than.the.legal.provisions.of.information.and.consultation,.reaching.material.agreements.in.practice...Looking.at.this.reality,.the.question.is.whether.EWCs.should.be.endowed.with.an.enhanced.legal.authority.to.tackle.issues.such.as.health.and.safety.and.corporate.social.responsibility...I.am.uncommitted.on.this.question,.but.I.believe.that.EWCs.are.in.a.position.to.pursue.these.powers.

Worker participation at board level

Looking. across. Europe,. �2.countries. have. a. wide. dissemination. of. co‑determination. rights.. .There. is. a. limited.dissemination.of.these.rights.in.a.further.seven.countries,.so.it.is.no.longer.just.a.fact.in.Germany.or.Sweden...At.a.rough.estimate,.we.have.�4,000.workers.across.Europe.sitting.at.board.level...This.is.a.strong.indication.of.an.active.European.citizenship...Four.of.the.�0.accession.states.have.provisions.for.workers.in.supervisory.boards,.mostly.opting.for.a.two‑tier.system.separating.the.supervisory.function.from.the.executive.function...This.is.a.part.of.trade.law—not.worker.participation.or.co‑determination—so.the.accession.states.treat.this.as.an.element.of.public.control.over.companies.

SE variety

Existing SEs

SEs.have.existed.since.October.2004.and.there.are.now.around.50.established...We.suspect.that.as.many.as.35.were.set.up.solely.for.business.reasons;.they.have.no.employees.and.so.there.is.no.EWC...Remarkably,.though,.�0‑�5.are.relevant.for.their.workers...One.of.the.first.was.Strabag.in.the.building.sector,.which.was.a.crucial.case.because.the.management.did.not.respect. the. legal.negotiating.procedures.. . It. simply.decided.on.worker.representatives. in. its.supervisory.boards,.and.the.chief.executive.‑.Mr.Haselsteiner.‑.is.very.important.in.Austrian.public.debate...Allianz.SE.was.set.up.in.October,.with.50%.worker.participation.in.the.boardroom.as.per.German.law.with.the.new.feature.of.a.supervisory.board.drawn.from.around.Europe...In.the.metalworking.sector,.MAN.Diesel.has.used.the.same.solution.

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Future SEs

Management.is.in.the.driving.seat;.it.will.decide.whether.or.not.to.set.up.a.SE.as.well.as.its.structure...An.agreement.has.to.be.in.place.within.six.months.or.the.standard.rules.will.apply,.which.places.even.more.pressure.on.workers...There.will.be.European.management,.and.this.will.put.an.end.to.national.negotiation.

Corporate governanceThe.current.debate.in.Europe.considers.the.relationship.between.management.and.shareholders,.with.the.emphasis.on.creating.transparency.for.shareholders...Mr.McCreevy,.the.EU’s.commissioner.for.the.internal.market,.has.declared.that.the.shareholder.is.king.or.queen...It.is.important.that.we.follow.developments.in.the.EU,.as.there.are.currently.directives.planned. to.change. the.regulations.on. the.cross‑border. transferral.of. seats.. .Of. the.�5.members.of. the.European.Corporate.Governance.Forum,.only.one.has.a.trade‑union.background.

Further prospects

Trade unions

Do.not.allow.contradiction.between.workers’.involvement.and.trade.unions...Employers.tend.to.welcome.worker.participation.only.on.condition.that.trade.unions.are.not.involved...This.has.particular.ramifications.for.the.question.of.whether.EWCs.should.have.the.right.to.close.agreements...Trade.unions.have.to.be.defined.as.an.insider,.rather.than.an.outsider,.role.in.the.directive.

Participation throughout Europe

SEs.should.be.used.to.spread.worker.participation.throughout.Europe,.so.that. the.channels.can.be.enjoyed. in.all.25.member.states.plus.the.three.member.states.of.the.European.Economic.Area,.Iceland,.Liechtenstein.and.Norway.

An obligatory right

Worker.participation.should.be.a.fundamental.right.for.European.citizens...Workers.ought.to.have.a.legal.and.statutory.position.from.which.to.influence.business.decisions.

Workers’ Participation: A Precondition for a Social Europe

Berthold Huber Chairman of the EMF Company Policy Committee

IG Metall Vice President (Germany)

PreambleWe.meet. to. talk.about. the.dimensions.of. trade‑union.action.and. the.possibilities. for. joint.discussions.. .We.need.conferences.like.this.for.close.coordination,.which.is.our.only.chance.not.to.be.pressured.into.a.downward.spiral.and.played.off.against.one.another.

VolkswagenIt.is.not.the.policy.of.IG.Metall.to.make.collective.agreements.to.the.detriment.of.workers.in.other.countries.that.would.help.save. jobs. in.Germany.. .We.want.all. companies. to.have.a.high. level.of.employment. that. is. sustainable...IG.Metall.supports.its.colleagues.in.Brussels.during.this.industrial.conflict...I.hope.that.Volkswagen.provides.its.workers.here.with.long‑term.jobs.by,.for.example,.producing.a.new.model.in.Brussels...If.the.discontinuation.of.Golf.production.in.Brussels.will.create.a.problem,.Volkswagen.must.find.a.solution...The.Volkswagen.group.is.in.crisis.and.going.through.a.major.restructuring...In.Germany,.�,000.jobs.have.been.cut...There.were.no.forced.redundancies,.but.there.were.severance.programmes.and.early.retirements...By.the.end.of.the.process,.at.least.20,000.jobs.will.have.been.cut.by.Volkswagen.in.Germany...The.EMF.has.called.a.meeting.for.Monday.to.coordinate.its.actions.

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The current situation in EuropeWe.all.realise.that.conditions.have.changed.fundamentally.over.the.past.two.decades...European.integration.is.fortunate.and.unprecedented,.but.many.people.view.the.current.developments.with.concern...Market.liberalisation.provides.companies.with.better.competitive.conditions,.but.citizens’.living.conditions.will.not.improve.automatically...On.the.contrary,. in.our.day‑to‑day.work.we.have.all. seen.how.social.standards. in.Europe.are. jeopardised.. .Trans‑national.groups.cannot.be.controlled.by.national.states,.even.though.harsher.international.competition.pressurises.wages.and.systems.of.social.security...Reaction.has.primarily.been.at.the.national.level,.as.there.is.no.consensus.on.the.social.state.in.the.EU...There.is.a.long.way.to.go.before.we.will.reach.consensus.on.a.viable.European.social.model...The.belief.that.market.forces.should.be.the.only.political.control.in.a.community.is.frighteningly.strong...This.influence.will.only.grow.stronger.as.more.competencies.are.transferred.to.the.EU.

A European responseWe.must.defend.ourselves.against.these.threats.by.strengthening.our.joint.efforts...Our.national.activities.must.be.incorporated.into.the.European.context.more.quickly.and.we.must.never.stop.challenging.politicians.to.make.sure.that.everyone.benefits.from.the.EU...We.must.formulate.and.fight.for.our.vision.of.the.European.social.model...The.participation.of.workers.in.shaping.their.own.working.conditions.is.of.paramount.importance...The.legal.rights.afforded.to.us.are.insufficient,.so.they.have.to.be.enhanced...To.achieve.this,.we.will.have.to.challenge.decision.makers.

EWCs

The directive

The.EU.directive.on.information.and.consultation.provides.minimum.standards;.this.is.not.enough.but.it.is.at.least.a.basic.recognition.of.workers’.right.to.be.involved.in.company.decisions...The.adoption.of.this.EWC.directive.�0.years.ago.was.a.milestone.for.participation.rights.at.the.European.level...When.companies.take.decisions.that.have.an.impact.on.workers.in.more.than.one.country,.employees.have.the.right.to.be.informed.and.consulted.

The scope of EWCs

Since.its.introduction,.more.than.280.EWCs.have.been.established.in.metalworking.companies...More.than.70%.of.workers.in.companies.covered.by.the.directive.are.now.represented.in.an.EWC...We.can.be.proud.of.this.achievement,.but.there.remain.far.too.many.companies.that.have.not.negotiated.an.agreement...This.affects.mainly.smaller.companies.that.do.not.hit.the.headlines,.but.their.workers.suffer.to.the.same.extent.and.we.therefore.need.to.reinforce.our.efforts.

Trade unions

The.establishment.of.EWCs.is.also.an.important.step.for.trade‑union.policy.vis‑à‑vis.the.companies...In.many.cases,.the.establishment.of.a.confident.and.cross‑border.EWC.is.a.painful.endeavour.that.can.only.be.pursued.on.the.basis.of.close.cooperation.between.the.respective.trade.unions.and.the.EMF.coordinators...At.the.same.time,.we.need.to.guarantee.progress.for.the.whole.European.workforce...This.can.be.accomplished.by.negotiating.European.standards,.and.the.work.with.Ford.is.one.encouraging.example...The.EWC’s.work.must.no.longer.be.separated.from.other.areas.of.worker.and.trade‑union.activity...It.has.to.be.part.of.our.day‑to‑day.work.and.integrated.at.national.trade‑union.level.

Competitive negotiation

We.are.facing.increasing.internal.competition.between.a.company’s.international.sites...EWCs.should.counteract.this.on.a.joint.basis,.whether.we.are.talking.about.the.threat.of.relocation.or.working.time...Employee.representatives.should.not.be.played.off.against.each.other.at.the.national.or.the.European.level.

Legal reinforcement

We.want.to.strengthen.the.role.of.the.EWC.as.a.negotiating.partner,.and.this.is.where.the.legislator.has.to.act...In.many.years.of.work.with.EWCs,.we.have.gathered.both.negative.and.positive.experiences...Against.this.background,.the.trade.unions.have.been.calling.for.a.concrete.legal.framework.for.many.years...We.urgently.need.an.amendment.of.the.EWC.directive.so.that.it.complies.with.today’s.challenges...There.are.some.legal.uncertainties.‑. in.the.case.of.mergers,.for.instance.‑.that.need.to.be.remedied...One.measure.would.be.to.make.EWCs.obligatory.for.50‑50.joint.ventures.. .We.would.also.prefer.to. lower.the.criteria.to. include.companies.with.500.employees.because.we.all. know. that.medium‑sized. companies.work.on. a. cross‑border. basis.. .The. amendment. process.was. launched. in.

9

April.2004;.employers.and.some.commissioners.might.not.like.it,.but.we.have.to.ensure.that.it.remains.at.the.top.of.the.agenda...On.�3.September.200�,.the.European.Economic.and.Social.Committee.voted.for.the.amendment.with.a.great.majority...This.is.a.small.success.and.we.recommend.that.trade.unions.contact.the.Commission.directly.to.urge.this.amendment.

The SE directiveFor.the.first.time,.this.directive.provides.for.the.consultation.and.participation.of.workers.at.the.level.of.the.supervisory.board...However,.it.is.unacceptable.that.it.is.left.to.the.company’s.discretion.whether.or.not.to.apply.this.directive...Employees.have.hardly. any.opportunity. to. influence. corporate. strategy,. so.we.need. to.use. those. levers. that. are.available.through.EWCs...Despite.their.deficits,.EWCs.are.the.most.concrete.form.of.European.cooperation...They.know.the.issues.on.a.European.level.so.they.are.best.suited.to.the.development.of.joint.positions.

Collective bargainingRecent.experiences.with.restructuring.demonstrate.the.value.of.a.collective.bargaining.policy...This.is.why.our.discussion.of.trans‑national.agreements.has.to.be.thorough...I.am.of.the.opinion.that.collective.bargaining.will.take.place.at.the.national. level. for.the.foreseeable.future,.but.the.European.Economic.Area.will.become.the.frame.of.reference.for.trade.unions...The.quality.and.level.of.coordination.we.have.achieved.at.the.European.level.was.inconceivable.only.a.few.years.ago,.but.it.is.now.one.of.our.most.important.instruments.

A European futureAt.the.next.EMF.congress.in.June.2007,.we.will.have.to.pave.the.way.for.forthcoming.years...The.European.social.model.has.to.progress,.and.to.achieve.this.we.will.need.a.strong.federation,.stronger.structures.and.stronger.cooperation.between.trade.unions...Employees.and.trade.unions.will.have.to.take.a.European.stance.and.align.their.work.at.the.European.level...We.want.an.integrated.social.Europe.that.workers.can.accept;.we.live.in.the.2�st.century.and.we.are.not.on.our.way.back.to.the.�9th.century...We.will.resist.the.tendency.to.play.off.workers.in.different.countries.and.we.will.not.accept.that.democracy.stops.at.the.company’s.gates.

DiscussionSjaak Sperber:.We. had. a. discussion. about. consultation. in. my. own. company,. which. is. French.. . In. French. law,.consultation.has.a.different.meaning.from.that.in.the.European.directive...In.the.directive,.it.is.more.about.information...When.the.directive.is.amended,.will.it.be.possible.for.us.to.renegotiate.existing.agreements?..It.is.important.that.we.change.consultation.to.mean.real.participation,.so.that.workers.do.not.merely.listen.to.stories.from.management.

Arturo Garcia:.Some.EWC.representatives.do.not.belong.to.a.trade.union...If.we.are.to.avoid.contradictions,.there.is.a.difference.between.citizen.participation.and.trade‑union.participation...How.will.the.EMF.coordinate.people.who.are.not.members.of.a.trade.union?..We.have.been.told.that.successful.EWCs.in.larger.companies.are.mainly.due.to.the.involvement.of.trade.unions.

Kent Kärrlander:. For. me,. financial. participation. is. somewhere. between. worker. participation. and. trade‑union.participation...If.it.is.handled.by.the.EWC,.it.can.create.an.obstacle.between.the.EWC.and.the.trade.unions...It.is.also.important.to.ensure.that.national.trade.unions.accept.the.European.point.of.view;.in.many.cases,.they.do.not.

Boudewijn Berentsen:.In.the.current.political.climate,.how.realistic.is.it.to.expect.a.revised.EWC.directive.in.the.next.two.years?..After.seven.years.of.waiting,.I.do.not.think.that.we.should.be.too.focused.on.modifying.the.directive...Instead,.we.should.move.on.in.the.day‑to‑day.practice.of.the.directive...We.have.already.negotiated.some.agreements.with.a.stronger.definition.of.consultation,.which.is.more.positive.than.waiting.for.the.directive.to.be.amended...I.also.heard.it.suggested.that.we.should.lower.the.inclusion.threshold,.but.EWC.coverage.is.already.very.low.in.companies.with.�,000.employees...If.we.decrease.the.threshold,.we.will.reduce.the.coverage.rate.even.more...Politicians.often.use.the.low.coverage.rate.as.an.argument.not.to.move.on.

Adriana Geppert:.Alcatel.will.soon.merge.with.Lucent,.an.American.company...Are.there.any.recommendations.from.the.EMF.for.the.renegotiation.of.the.EWC.agreement.in.such.situations?

Berthold Huber:. If. the. directive. is. amended,. we. should. talk. about. participation. rather. than. information. and.consultation...Co‑determination.should.be.at.the.core.of.our.work,.and.this.has.been.achieved.in.medium.as.well.as.large.companies...This.depends.on.coordination,.but.that.is.always.a.prerequisite.of.trade‑union.work...If.you.look.at.

�0

the.balance.of.power.in.Europe,.the.conditions.for.amending.the.directive.are.unfavourable...Nonetheless,.we.should.not.give.up.even.if.it.takes.another.�0.years...We.spent.20.years.calling.for.EWCs.before.the.adoption.of.the.directive.in.�994,.so.we.need.a.long‑term.perspective.

Norbert Kluge:. Financial. participation. is. increasingly. important,. especially. in. countries. that. are. changing. their.pension.schemes.to.fit.the.capital.markets...However,.holding.shares.is.not.the.same.as.holding.participation.rights...You.can.organise.yourselves.as.employee.shareholders—France.has.allowances.for.employee.shareholders.to.take.a.seat.on.the.administrative.board—but.this.is.another.track...It.could.be.complementary,.but.we.have.to.distinguish.it.clearly.from.participation.rights...I.am.not.naïve.about.the.current.political.environment,.which.stresses.the.attraction.of.investors.to.Europe,.but.I.think.it.would.be.worth.expending.a.little.energy.to.change.the.prevailing.wind...It.is.not.just.a.vision;.we.have.a.right.to.be.involved.in.corporate.governance.

Luc Triangle:.It.is.important.to.appreciate.that.we.all.have.a.different.national.starting.point.for.the.involvement.of. workers. in. EWCs.. . In. some. countries,. worker. representation. is. only. possible. through. trade. unions.. . Equally,.trade‑union.membership.is.not.necessary.in.other.countries...This.diversity.is.a.reality.in.EWCs...The.EMF’s.policy.is.that.we.have.to.work.as.a.team.inside.the.EWC.regardless.of.our.backgrounds...We.cannot.pursue.a.policy.of.ignoring.members.who.are.not.from.trade.unions.because.that.would.not.be.efficient,.so.our.target.must.be.to.create.a.team...My.personal.experience.is.that.in.most.cases,.cooperation.with.those.not.from.a.trade.union.works.well...That.said,.there.are.examples.in.which.it.has.not.worked.so.well...Regardless,.we.must.try.to.create.a.team...It.is.also.true.that.non‑members.sometimes.join.trade.unions.through.EWCs.

There.is.no.clear.legislation.on.dealing.with.mergers.and.practice.is.diverse...I.know.that.Lucent.is.approximately.a.quarter.of.Alcatel’s.size.in.Europe,.and.experience.would.suggest.that.the.two.EWCs.might.work.in.tandem.for.a.time...Another.possibility.is.a.complete.renegotiation.for.a.new.agreement.to.cover.the.two.companies.through.one.EWC...Sadly,.in.most.cases.the.smaller.company’s.EWC.is.simply.integrated.into.the.existing.agreement.with.perhaps.a.reallocation.of.seats.among.the.countries.but.no.significant.change.in.the.number.or.composition.of.representatives...That.tends.to.be.management’s.starting.point,.but.we.should.not.accept.that...It.is.not.the.best.solution.because.we.lose.mandates.without.any.increase.in.the.number.of.seats.

Peter Scherrer: The.merger.of Alcatel.and.Lucent.is.an.important.case,.but.we.are.also.facing.the.merger.of.two.elephants.in.Mittal.and.Arcelor...Some.colleagues.have.proposed.a.merger.of.the.two.EWCs.to.give.us.more.power,.but.unfortunately.the.management.does.not.like.that.idea...We.will.always.have.to.discuss.these.situations.case.by.case.because.of.the.traditions.and.existing.structures.of.companies.

Last.week,.Hugo.Strijbos.died.very.suddenly...He.was.a.very.active.member.of.the.Otis.EWC.and.a.committed.trade.unionist...I.would.like.to.ask.for.a.minute.of.silence.

Political Evaluation and Strategic Views on EMF Activities

Luc Triangle Chairman of the EMF Company Policy Select Working Party

The EMF and EWCs

Pre-history

As.early.as.the.late.�980s,.the.EMF.had.negotiated.agreements.with.some.companies.on.information.and.consultation.at.the.cross‑national.level...Before.the.�994.directive,.we.had.concluded.agreements.on.trans‑national.information.and.consultation.rights.in.�9.companies,.including.Volkswagen,.SKF.and.Renault...These.agreements.set.the.standard.and.were.a.sign.for.the.European.Commission.that.there.was.a.growing.need.for.such.rights...The.approval.of.the.directive.ushered.in.a.period.of.high.expectations;.until.then,.most.representatives.had.not.met.their.colleagues.from.other.countries.

The EMF taskforce

At.that.time,.the.EMF.took.the.important.step.of.establishing.a.taskforce.for.dealing.with.this.topic...From.its.origins.with.only.with.five.or.six.people.from.three.or.four.countries,.the.body.quickly.grew.to.record.good.results...The.EMF.decided.that.EWCs.should.be.handled.at.the.European.level,.immediately.choosing.strong.coordination.unlike.many.

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other.European.federations...From.the.beginning,.we.thought.that.policy.should.not.be.left.to.national.opinions.but.should.come.from.a.European.discussion.between.trade.unions.

Article 13 agreements

The.directive.only.came.into.force.after.a.transition.period.of.two.years,.so.only.negotiations.taking.place.after.�99�.had.to.follow.the.procedures.defined.in.the.applicable.national.legislation...Voluntary.agreements.concluded.before.then.were. the. so‑called.Article.�3. agreements,. negotiated.without. a. legal. framework.. .The. EMF.was. approached.weekly.by.companies.seeking.to.negotiate.such.agreements,.but.other.companies.approached.the.trade.unions. in.their.home.countries.to.negotiate.agreements...I.will.not.need.to.tell.you.that.there.were.several.disputes.between.trade.unions.because.there.was.no.flow.of.information.when.negotiations.were.not.conducted.on.a.European.basis...The.EMF.always.discouraged. such.agreements. and. in.many.cases. forced. the.national. trade.union. to. re‑open. the.negotiations.

Proactive negotiation

However,.the.EMF.was.not.against.Article.�3.agreements.and.took.a.proactive.approach.to.using.them.to.develop.a. stronger. trade‑union. movement. at. the. European. level.. .The. EMF. was. the. only. European. platform. from. which.companies.could.negotiate.agreements,.so.we.approached.companies.to.further.this...Companies.recognised.this.and.took.up.our.offer...On.the.other.hand,.we.were.not.willing.to.conclude.agreements.unless.they.met.our.minimum.standards...Having.concluded.�30.agreements.by.�99�,.it.became.clear.that.the.EMF.had.to.issue.some.negotiating.guidelines.approved.by.all.the.affiliated.trade.unions.

The EMF Binding Guidelines

We.wanted. to. coordinate.our. affiliates. closely. and.establish. common. rules. for. the. format. and. content.of. EWC.agreements...Trade.unions.committed.to.one.European.agenda,.which.means.that.we.demanded.the.same.minimum.standards.wherever.we.negotiated...Looking.at.the.330.agreements.we.have.concluded.so.far,.most.meet.our.standards...These.guidelines.insist.on.the.openness.of.information.for.all.trade.unions.and.the.involvement.of.the.EMF.as.well.as.setting.out.the.basic.qualitative.content.of.an.agreement...We.also.have.a.series.of.recommendations,.although.we.do.not.have.the.legal.authority.to.demand.these.

Evaluation

Of.the.330.agreements.we.have.concluded,.up.to.40.no.longer.exist.due.to.structural.changes.in.the.companies...We.are.currently.negotiating.in.another.�0.companies,.which.is.a.good.result.that.has.only.been.achieved.through.the.joint.efforts.of.the.EMF.and.its.affiliated.trade.unions...We.estimate.that.there.are.a.further.200.agreements.for.us.to.conclude,.but.obviously.progress.is.slower.now.that.we.are.dealing.with.smaller.companies...These.companies.can.be.hostile.to.the.notion.of.information.and.consultation.rights,.so.they.use.the.full.three‑year.negotiating.period...The.capacity.of.the.EMF.is.limited,.so.the.onus.has.to.be.on.national.trade.unions.to.initiate.new.negotiations...The.EMF’s.guidelines.have.been.crucial.in.achieving.our.strategy.of.setting.up.as.many.EWCs.as.possible.without.sacrificing.quality...Sometimes,.though,.our.minimum.standards.have.been.the.maximum.possible.target...Our.results.could.also.not.have.been.delivered.without.the.presence.of.EMF.experts.in.negotiations.and.the.work.of.the.EMF.taskforce.

Going forward

The.integration.of.the.UK,.Switzerland.and.the.accession.states.has.been.positive,.but.now.we.will.have.to.focus.on.the.full.integration.of.Romania,.Bulgaria,.Croatia.and.Turkey...The.EMF.has.developed.some.tools.for.coordinators,.such.as.the.training.handbook,.the.database.and.the.restructuring.handbook...There.has.been.no.revision.of.the.directive.because.of.a.lack.of.interest.at.the.EU.level,.the.objections.of.employers’.federations,.and.a.lack.of.political.will.meaning.that.we.have.not.been.able.to.impose.a.continuous.pressure...We.did.have.a.European.action.day.in.200�,.but.our.action.has.not.been.continuous.or.strong.enough.to.make.it.a.political.priority.

The EMF coordinators

Role

The.coordinators.play.an. important. role. for.both.EWC.members.and. the.EMF.. .Until.2000,. the.EMF. focused.on.the.negotiation.of.new.agreements...As.more.agreements.were.concluded,.the.need.arose.to.coordinate.our.work...The.objective.of.the.EMF.coordinators’.network. is.to.guarantee.trade‑union.presence. in.each.EWC.so.that.they.become.real.information.and.consultation.bodies...Every.existing.EWC.should.have.an.EMF.coordinator,.drawn.from.the.nationally.affiliated.organisations,.and.the.coordinator.should.have.a.European.mandate.. .The.obligation.of.the.coordinator.to.attend.EWC.meetings.coincides.with.the.need.for.each.meeting.to.have.an.expert.present...The.EMF.

�2

supports.the.network.with.training.activities.and.the.continuous.flow.of.information,.and.the.new.resources.available.will.allow.the.EMF.to.deliver.more.in.the.years.to.come.

Added value

The.coordinators.are.our.link.to.the.300.EWCs...It.makes.no.sense.to.develop.policies.if.we.are.not.able.to.implement.them.in.the.companies.or.if.the.EWC.members.are.not.aware.of.what.we.do...Through.the.coordinators,.we.have.the.opportunity.to.develop.one.European.approach...From.the.legal.point.of.view,.EWCs.are.bodies.for.the.representation.of.employees,.not.trade.unions...Trade.unions.are.not.mentioned.once.in.the.directive,.for.instance...The.presence.of.a.trade‑union.expert.is.therefore.important;.the.coordinators.are.the.visible.face.of.trade.unions.in.EWCs.

Evaluation

EWC.members.should.be.aware.that.it.is.important.to.have.a.trade‑union.expert—the.EMF.coordinator—present.at.meetings...We.still.have.to.do.more.work.to.establish.that.the.coordinator.is.assuming.a.European.mandate,.so.we.cannot.accept.coordinators.who.speak.the.language.of.only.one.country.or.only.one.trade.union...We.also.have.to.update.our.list.of.coordinators...Being.a.coordinator.is.not.just.a.title;.it.is.a.responsibility.that.requires.time.in.addition.to.daily.activities...The.importance.of.the.coordinators.cannot.be.underestimated.

Negotiation at the European level

From consultation to negotiation

Many.of.our.members.are. frustrated.with. their. consultation.rights. in.EWCs.. .The.weak.original.definition. in. the.directive.means. that.most.EWCs.are.consulted.only.after.a.decision.has.been.made.by.management.. .We.would.all. like. to.change.this.definition.to.ensure.prior.consultation,.but.we.also.have.to. face. the.trade‑union.challenges.of.earlier.consultation...When.management.comes.to.the.EWC.with.a.draft.decision.seeking.a.second.opinion,.the.negotiation.should.aim.to.win.a.compromise...The.formulation.of.a.counter.proposal—especially.when.restructuring.means.that.jobs.will.be.transferred.from.one.EWC.member.to.another—cannot.be.minimised,.however...This.will.put.a.lot.of.pressure.on.internal.trade‑union.solidarity...Nonetheless,.there.are.cases.in.which.we.have.been.able.to.act.in.solidarity;.the.action.with.General.Motors.was.a.milestone.in.good.practice.

Company negotiation

EWCs.are.growing.more.ambitious,.developing.activities.beyond.information.and.consultation...We.can.promulgate.goodwill.in.management.by.discussing.topics.such.as.gender.equality.and.vocational.training...While.EMF.policy.is.that.the.EWC.can.serve.as.the.platform.for.such.negotiation,.the.trade.unions.should.take.the.leading.role...The.work.with.Areva.is.a.good.example.of.this.strategy.

Internal EMF mandate procedure

The.EMF.mandate.had.been.agreed.to.allow.the.EMF.to.negotiate.at.the.European.level.on.behalf.of.its.affiliated.trade.unions...This.defines.the.negotiation.protocols,.and.it.is.clear.that.the.EMF.will.increasingly.become.the.right.partner.with.which.to.negotiate.at.the.European.level...This.internal.procedure.shows.companies.that.trade.unions.have.the.ability.to.give.mandates.at.the.European.level...EWCs.can.be.the.platform.from.which.to.launch.such.negotiations,.but.the.negotiations.are.carried.out.between.the.EMF.and.the.company’s.management.after.the.EMF.has.received.the.mandate.from.all.the.involved.trade.unions...There.can.also.be.direct.involvement.of.the.EWC.select.committee.in.the.negotiations...This.proves.that.trade.unions.can.be.reliable.negotiation.partners.for.companies.at.the.European.level...The.European.Commission.recently.launched.a.debate.between.the.social.partners.at.the.European.level.to.investigate.the.possibility.of.developing.a. legal. framework.around.such.mandates.. .At.the.moment,.each.European.agreement.must.be.transposed.into.a.national.or.local.collective.agreement.before.it.can.be.binding...This.long.and.intensive.procedure.would.not.be.necessary.if.the.European.Commission.created.a.legal.framework.

EMF activities

The.EMF.tries.to.coordinate.trade‑union.work.in.every.case.of.trans‑national.restructuring...There.have.been.numerous.coordination.meetings.to.date,.but.this.is.a.growing.challenge.for.the.EMF...The.role.of.the.EMF.coordinator.is.crucial.in.such.cases,.as.the.recent.streamlined.responses.with.Siemens.and.Alcatel.demonstrate.

The EMF’s 10 principles

Corporate.restructuring.is.a.permanent.feature.of.trans‑national.business,.the.result.of.rapid.technological.innovation.and.globalisation...This.puts.pressure.on.trade.unions.as.companies.attempt.to.play.workers.off.against.each.other...

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The.EMF.has.therefore.launched.guidelines.on.how.to.deal.with.trans‑national.restructuring,.which.were.approved.in.June.2005.and.prepared.as.�0.principles...The.future.of.the.trade‑union.movement.in.Europe.will.depend.on.how.it.responds.to.cases.of.trans‑national.restructuring.

EMF company policy 2007-2011

EWCs

The.negotiation.of.new.agreements.will.be.a.priority...There.are.still.some.important.companies.in.which.we.have.no.trans‑national. information.and.consultation.rights,.so.we.will. focus.on.concluding.agreements. in.target.companies...Through.the.renegotiation.facilities,.we.will.also.improve.the.quality.and.practice.of.the.existing.agreements...New.members.of.the.EU.will.be.integrated,.while.we.will.negotiate.for.the.participation.of.prospective.members.such.as.Croatia.and.Turkey...We.will.look.at.the.possibility.of.campaigning.for.common.demands.on.certain.topics,.such.as.vocational.training.and.gender.quality...There.will.be.a.training.policy.for.EWC.members.and.chairs,.for.which.national.trade.unions.should.also.take.responsibility...Support.through.economic.expertise,.already.available.to.some.EWCs,.should.be.rolled.out.further.and.we.will.facilitate.the.exchange.of.best.practice.

Restructuring

Our.principles.and.political.views.need.to.be.expressed.in.more.than.words...We.need.more.proof.from.practical.cases,.as.we.cannot.continue.to.refer.only.to.one.company,.General.Motors...If.not,.our.principles.will.be.criticised...The.EMF.hopes. that. trade.unions.will. realise. that.no.one.can.win. if. the. starting.point.of. collective.bargaining. is.always.national.interest...Developing.good.practice.will.be.crucial.to.preventing.trade.unions.regressing.in.the.face.of.internal.competition...To.this.end,.we.will.promote.European.framework.agreements.and.then.national.negotiations.to.implement.the.agreements...All.that.it.remains.to.consider.are.the.practical.limits.on.the.EMF.to.answer.every.demand.from.national.trade.unions.positively.

Negotiation

Social.dialogue.should.not.be.restricted.to.cases.of.trans‑national.restructuring...We.would.like.to.see.more.agreements.on.issues.such.as.corporate.social.responsibility.and.international.framework.agreements.

Participation

Defending.worker.participation.as.a.fundamental.right.will.continue.to.be.a.priority.for.the.EMF.

Trade-union organisation

I.can.give.you.examples.of.companies.that.have.relocated.important.elements.of.their.production.line.to.accession.states...They.now.have.companies.with.more.than.2,000.workers.in.these.countries,.but.they.are.not.unionised...As.part.of.the.social‑plan.negotiation.in.countries.losing.work,.why.can.we.not.negotiate.trade‑union.rights.in.countries.that.are.scheduled.to.receive.work?

European legislation

Legislation.will.also.be.a.topic.for.the.EMF.

ConclusionsCompany.policy.is.one.of.the.main.challenges.for.the.European.trade‑union.movement...Are.we.able.to.challenge.companies.at.both.the.national.and.the.European.level?..I.think.that.we.are.on.the.right.track,.but.we.have.to.behave.more.as.Europeans.and.less.as.national.trade.unions...We.will.lose.if.we.compete.with.each.other.at.the.company.level;.we.will.win.if.we.act.more.jointly...Moving.from.consultation.to.effective.prior.negotiation.means.that.trade.unions.will.have.to.talk.to.each.other.more.at.the.European.level...The.future.of.successful.trade‑union.action.will.not.lie.at.the.national.level,.although.it.will.have.to.start.there...The.future.is.European.

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DiscussionMohamed Brammi:.Bosch.has.been.affected.by.restructuring.schemes,.and.by.2009.Volkswagen.will.have.changed.its.entire.assembly.line.for.its.vehicles...This.has.consequences.for.suppliers,.so.what.exchanges.can.exist.between.subcontractors?..All.we.receive.from.EWCs.is.information,.so.we.should.re‑examine.the.definition.of.participation.with.a.view.to.winning.increased.means.for.the.EWCs...Could.an.EWC.ever.be.capable.of.blocking.a.company’s.plans.to.restructure?

Daniël Margodt:.I.used.to.work.for.Siemens.before.it.was.taken.over.by.the.American.giant,.Tyco...The.American.management.is.allocating.a.lot.of.production.to.China.and.India,.so.we.can.only.make.little.steps.at.the.European.level...The.problem.is.that.companies.are.organised.on.a.worldwide.level.

Jaroslav Soucek:.The.possibility.for.collective.bargaining.at.the.European.level.has.been.raised...However,.employers.will.not.be.in.favour.of.European.collective.agreements.because.they.want.to.benefit.from.different.wage.levels.across.Europe.

Luc Triangle: If. you. face.a.European.restructuring.plan,.we.would.advise.you.not. to.negotiate.at. the. local. level...Once.we.get.into.that,.it.becomes.a.beauty.contest...The.EMF’s.policy.is.to.go.for.European.trade‑union.coordination,.which.should.find.acceptable.solutions.for.everyone...Whether.or.not.an.EWC.can.block.restructuring.will.depend.more.on.the.trade.unions’.power.than.the.definition.of.consultation...There.certainly.have.been.cases.of.EWCs.and.trade.unions.organising.action.at.the.European.level,.which.forces.management.to.take.us.seriously.at.more.than.the.national.level.

In.the.EMF,.we.try.to.develop.a.European.policy...The.challenge.will.inevitably.be.to.go.further,.to.the.global.level...At.the.start.of.November.in.Vienna,.I.was.pleased.to.see.the.merger.of.the.two.most.important.trade‑union.confederations...I.hope.that.will.lead.to.more.coordination.at.the.international.level.

When.I.speak.of.negotiation.and.collective.bargaining,.I.am.not.just.talking.about.salary.harmonisation...We.are.looking.at.issues.such.as.equal.opportunities;.I.think.that.questions.about.pay.and.working.time.might.be.a.step.too.far.at.the.moment.

Reports from the WorkshopsIan Methven: We.listened.to.presentations.from.Paul.Welsh,.chairman.of.the.FKI.EWC,.and.Maureen.Kearney,.chair.of. the.Areva.EWC.. .These.presentations.helped.us. to.concentrate.our.views.and.our.discussion. focused.on.best.practice...Communication.is.a.key.aspect.before,.during.and.after.EWCs...Cultural.differences.require.solutions,.and.some.EWCs.use.posters.or.newsletters.to.communicate...There.was.a.great.effort.to.use.as.many.instruments.as.possible.to.communicate.directly.to.the.employees...Management.was.used.in.some.instances,.but.there.was.some.concern.that.this.could.be.misconstrued.and.that.the.flavour.of.the.meeting.might.not.be.communicated.in.the.way.the.trade.unions.would.prefer...Other.factors.are.language.and.the.amount.of.time.allocated.to.representatives.to.communicate.the.results.of.the.EWC...We.debated.whether.the.best.medium.for.communication.was.a.website,.paper.or.face.to.face...One.colleague.had.developed.a.website.for.his.EWC.that.was.protected.at.different.levels.to.allow.password.access.depending.on.the.employee’s.role,.which.was.seen.as.a.useful.and.progressive.tool.to.communicate.quickly.and.effectively.

It.was.clear.that.we.envisaged.an.important.role.for.experts...We.did.discuss.the.precise.nature.and.role.of.expertise,.such.as.the.differences.between.an.EMF.and.an.economic.expert...We.also.noted.the.cultural.differences.between.countries.that.use.experts.automatically.and.those.that.have.no.access.to.financial.expertise.

Some.EWCs.are.in.the.fortunate.position.of.having.�2.days’.training,.split.between.six.days.for.management.issues.and.six.days.for.employees.to.decide.the.training.they.need...This.was.all.funded.by.the.company...Most.EWCs.had.one.or.two.days’.training.in.their.agreement,.which.was.in.addition.to.any.trade‑union.training...One.EWC.had.the.opportunity.to.embark.on.a.study.mission.to.China.financed.by.the.company...Once.again.there.were.some.national.and.legal.differences.on.training,.such.as.on.how.many.hours.each.representative.could.take...We.were.able.to.clarify.that.the.EMF.does.produce.training.material.

It.was.interesting.that.members.of.the.workshop.did.not.feel.that.they.had.been.consulted.before.decisions.had.been.made...This.was.a.key.failure.of.the.directive;.it.had.to.emphasise.that.companies.have.to.consult.and.inform.before.coming.to.a.decision...There.was.some.concern.around.how.we.organise.ourselves.against.restructuring,.with.cultural.differences.again.a.theme...It.was.clear,.for.example,.that.French.colleagues.were.better.protected.by.social.plans.than.British.workers.when.it.came.to.restructuring...Trade‑union.recognition.needs.to.develop.in.the.accession.states,.as.

�5

companies.are.setting.up.new.sites.there.without.informing.the.trade.unions...Communication.through.the.EMF.and.the.national.trade.union.will.help.us.to.unionise.these.sites.and.expand.the.EWC.accordingly.

Tore Sellgren: We.stated. first. that. there. is. no. general. EWC.model;. each. EWC. is. unique. to. its. circumstances...However,.we.also.observed.that.the.main.problems.‑.language.and.cultural.differences.and.differing.industrial‑relations.heritages.‑.are.shared...The.major.responsibility.of.EWCs.in.the.future.will.be.restructuring,.but.there.is.currently.a.lack.of.solidarity...Nationalism.and.protectionism.are.common.obstacles,.and.it.will.be.important.for.the.EMF.to.overcome.such.disputes...Different.systems.of.industrial.relations.are.also.the.cause.of.misunderstandings.and.mistrust.between.delegates,.so.the.EMF.will.also.have.to.solve.this. through.cultural. training.. .Overall,.we.were.pessimistic.about.the.opportunities.for.EWCs.to.be.solid.enough.to.curtail.restructuring,.but.we.must.have.faith.in.our.ability.to.cooperate.and.influence.decision.makers.

We.cannot.rely.on.EWCs.alone;.there.must.be.a.concerted.effort.from.the.EMF,.the.trade.unions.and.the.EMF...When.companies.try.to.set.up.beauty.contests.between.different.European.countries,.the.trade.unions.should.use.the.EMF.to.grant.the.EWC.a.mandate.to.negotiate.a.European.framework.agreement...That.said,.we.have.to.be.realistic...EWCs.often.lack.the.mandate.to.negotiate.or.management.does.not.accept.the.EWC.as.a.counter‑party...EMF.support.can.come.mainly.through.training.and.information.about.its.European.policy.

There.are.problems.with.the.current.system.of.coordinators...Some.coordinators.show.no.interest.in.their.EWC,.while.different.national.opinions.about.the.role.of.coordinators.persist.. .Although.the.EMF.has.articulated.a.clear.policy,.we.have.to.reinforce.a.common.understanding.of.the.role.of.coordinators.because.the.system.today.is.not.functioning.properly...We.also.seem.to.be.giving.the.coordinators.too.many.tasks,.even.if.they.cannot.discharge.their.existing.duties.

To.improve.EWCs,.we.first.have.to.strengthen.the.directive...There.is.also.an.internal.problem.in.that.EWCs.have.not.discussed.their.own.role,.and.it.is.hard.for.them.to.be.successful.if.they.are.not.confident.about.their.aims...Training.is.again.a.crucial.aspect.of.improving.the.performance.of.EWCs,.and.training.must.concentrate.on.shared.experiences.and.best.practice.

Christian Pilichowski: We.talked.first.about.the.quality.of.information...The.general.feeling.is.that.when.management.does.provide.information,.it.is.not.always.what.interests.us...The.EMF.should.therefore.set.up.various.social.indicators.that. the.EWCs.could.demand. from.the.company.. .These. social. indicators.would.allow.workers. to.measure. their.working.hours.and.extra.hours,.full‑time.and.temporary.positions,.and.salaries.and.pensions...In.terms.of.the.quantity.of. information,.some.people.complained.that.there.was.too.much.information.with.the.result.that.they.could.not.digest.it.all.before.the.meeting...Others.felt.that.they.did.not.receive.enough.information,.meaning.that.they.did.not.receive.the.right.information...Our.idea.was.to.insist.on.a.minimum.deadline.for.receiving.the.requested.information.before.the.meeting.so.that.we.could.analyse.it.and.react.to.it.

Everyone.in.the.group.had.a.different.interpretation.of.consultation,.so.we.agreed.that.we.needed.to.define.precisely.what.it.means.in.the.EWC.agreements...However,.we.could.not.define.it.ourselves.

Communication.has.to.occur.at.two.levels:.communication.among.the.trade‑union.organisations.present.in.the.group.so.that.we.can.build.solidarity.on.shared.expectations,.and.communication.among.the.members.of.the.EWC.and.the.company’s.workers...Bosch,.for.example,.produces.a.newsletter.after.each.EWC,.half.written.by.management.and.half.written.by.the.trade.unions,.in.the.various.languages.and.sent.to.the.workers...More.broadly,.we.focused.on.the.time.and.means.made.available.to.EWC.members.to.fulfil.their.roles.

We.looked.at.the.legal.avenues.to.combating.restructuring...One.court.in.France.prevented.the.closure.of.a.company.because. the.EWC.had.not.been.sufficiently.consulted.. .Another.avenue.would.be. to.build.solidarity.between.the.trade.unions,.which.means.affirming.common.objectives.around.which.we.can.mobilise.. .A.third.avenue.would.be.institutional,.whereby.the.European.Commission.would.provide.new.rights.and.means.to.workers.

Opinion.was.split.on.whether.negotiating.power.should.be.available.to.the.EWCs...Those.against.maintained.that.it.was.important.to.leverage.trade.unions.because.they.were.best.equipped.to.negotiate...Despite.the.huge.diversity.of.EWCs,.we.concurred.that.they.are.at.their.most.effective.when.backed.by.strong.trade.unions.

Gustav Zoehrer: We.had.a. lengthy.discussion.on.whether.EWC.membership.should.only.be.open.to.unionised.workers...We.concluded.that.we.should.not.exclude.non‑unionised.members.because.it.would.be.better.for.trade.unions.to.recruit.them...However,.there.is.a.danger.when.EWC.members.seem.too.close.to.the.management...The.national.implementation.of.the.directive.should.balance.that,.but.the.directive.should.be.more.concrete.and.specify.inclusion.criteria.

Another. major. problem. is. language.. . In. some. cases,. companies. have. put. pressure. on. the. EWC. to. have. as. few.translators.and. interpreters.as.possible.. .This.makes. it.especially.hard.to.conduct. informal.discussions.outside.the.meeting.room...Language.training.was.posited.as.a.solution,.as.in.some.cases.the.language.requirements.were.reduced.because.EWC.members.had.received.English.training...The.downside.was.that.it.restricted.participation.in.the.EWC.if.members.were.obliged.to.be.fluent.in.English...It.also.risked.the.selection.of.EWC.members.based.on.language.skills.rather.than.merit.

��

The.definitions.of.information.and.consultation.in.the.directive.are.not.clear.enough...Too.much.is.left.to.management’s.discretion,.and.we.can.generally.say.that.in.our.experience.information.and.consultation.never.goes.beyond.information...We.nonetheless.have.to.make.the.best.possible.use.of. the.tools. that.are.available,.and.there.were.some.positive.experiences.in.that.regard.

Over.�0.years.after.the.ratification.of.the.EWC.directive,.cultural.differences.are.still.proving.a.problem...It.is.therefore.important.to.retain.some.continuity.in.the.EWC...If.members.stay.on.board.and.come.to.know.each.other,.personal.relations.build.trust.because.permanent.fluctuation.is.negative...Continuity.and.trust.are.particularly.important.when.facing.restructuring,.as.there.is.competition.between.countries.

The.European.Commission.needs.to.take.action.because.its.current.subsidy.and.grant.policies.promote.restructuring...Taxation. policies. are. negative. in. some. states. as. well.. .We. are. also. confronted. by. management. that. denies. the.trans‑national. nature. of. issues.. .Against. such. challenges,. EWCs. are. only. capable. of. exerting. pressure. when. they.join.forces.with.trade.unions.and.the.EMF...This.is.aggravated.when.those.negotiating.restructuring.measures.lack.a.European.vision.because.they.are.not.involved.with.the.EWC.

Participation. rights. do.not.mean. simply. sitting.on. the. decision‑making. bodies.of. the. company.. .We. formulated. a.broader.sense.of.participation.in.company.decisions,.such.as.involving.the.EWC.in.strategic.decisions...With.this.in.mind,.the.EWC.should.be.in.a.position.to.negotiate.and.conclude.agreements...In.practice,.however,.there.is.debate.on.the.mandate.awarded.to.the.EWC... In.most.cases.there.are.no.problems.with.codes.of.conduct.or.minimum.standards,.but.the.EWCs.represented.in.our.workshop.had.had.few.opportunities.to.instigate.collective.agreements.because.trade.unions.dominated.that.sphere.

The.EMF.and.the.national.trade.unions.have.already.drawn.up.a.catalogue.of.demands.for.reform.of.the.directive,.all.of.which.we.support...The.EWC.directive.needs.to.adapt.to.suit.the.needs.of.workers,.but.we.should.try.to.see.the.whole.cheese.and.not.just.the.holes...To.make.the.best.possible.use.of.the.tools.available.to.us.today,.we.should.try.to.reach.agreements.with.companies.on.their.behaviour.through.some.sort.of.social.charter...This.should.address.the.company’s.actions.in.Europe.as.well.as.in.China...There.should,.for.example,.be.minimum.standards.for.the.resources.available.to.individual.EWC.members.because.the.situation.varies.between.countries.

We.discussed. the.establishment.of. something. like. a. European. Industrial.Tribunal. because. the.European.Court.of.Justice. lacks. specialised. labour. judges.. .The. EMF. should. support. the. EWCs. by. providing. tools. to. help. members.develop.social.competencies,.but.this.message.should.also.be.passed.on.to.managers.because.they.are.often.blind.to.social.matters...There.should.be.stronger.interaction.between.the.national.and.European.levels,.with.the.EMF.exerting.more.pressure.on.its.affiliates.

There.are.problems.in.the.difference.between.large.and.small.EWCs...Some.small.companies.have.many.sites.across.Europe. with. only. a. few. employees. in. each. country,. but. these. workers. need. the. same. level. of. support. as. their.colleagues.

Hellmut Gohde: We. started. by. hearing. presentations. from. two. completely. different. company. cultures.. . One.company.was. based. in. France,.with. a. high. level. of. state.ownership. and. good. facilities.. .When. it.went. through. a.restructuring.programme.with.its.EWC,.it.lasted.more.than.one.year.because.the.company.wanted.to.be.involved.in.all.the.different.aspects...That.good.example.contrasted.with.Alcoa,.when.the.EWC.meeting.opened.with.eight.managers.from.eight.divisions. each. giving. a. long. presentation. at. a. one‑day. session. as. the.management. intentionally. limited.interaction.

One.recommendation.was.to.use.the.meeting.agenda.to.select.topics.and.take.initiative.for.the.discussion...The.select.committee.should.receive.all.the.information.prior.to.the.meeting.so.that.it.can.identify.the.most.important.points.for.debate...There.were.positive.reports.from.EWCs.that.had.introduced.working.groups.to.handle.either.subjects.or.divisions...Honeywell’s.EWC.opted.to.have.more.divisional.meetings.than.fewer.large.meetings.so.that.more.people.could.be. involved,.which. is.to.be.evaluated.after.a.year‑long.pilot.. .Other.colleagues.had.produced.a.template.for.management.presentations,.delineating.the.specific.items.that.they.should.cover.

It.is.essential.that.the.EMF.coordinator.is.more.than.a.politician;.they.also.have.to.be.a.facilitator.in.the.preparatory.meetings...EWC.representatives.valued.EMF.coordinators.who.could.help.to.structure.the.debate.and.collect.and.distribute.all.the.questions.to.be.asked.of.management...The.EMF.coordinator.does.not.necessarily.have.to.act.on.behalf.of.the.delegates.during.the.meeting,.but.he.or.she.should.encourage.the.more.timid.members.to.raise.their.voices.and.be.proactive.

We.know.from.Jeremy.Waddington’s.study.that.out.of.every.five.EWCs,.only.one.is.consulted.prior.to.management.decisions...We.thus.decided.to.look.at.the.20%.of.cases.that.were.positive...First,.it.is.important.that.EWCs.talk.to.the.company’s.decision.makers...EWC.members.too.often.talk.solely.to.people.from.Human.Resources,.who.are.just.messengers.unable.to.alter.decisions.

Information.and.consultation.is.not.a.meeting;.information.and.consultation.is.a.process...In.too.many.companies,.the.EWC.means.only.a.single.meeting.in.which.representatives.are.told.what.has.been.decided.before.being.allowed.to.

�7

ask.a.few.questions...The.process.can.last.for.anything.from.a.week.to.a.year,.as.it.did.in.Areva...In.responding.to.a.major.restructuring,.the.first.meeting.should.only.be.about.information...It.should.be.made.clear.to.management.that.the.consultation.phase.can.only.be.entered.after.the.EWC.has.had.a.chance.to.digest.all.the.information...Importantly,.information.need.not.be.a.mass.of.material.but.it.has.to.include.the.right.documentation.and.business.cases...In.too.many.agendas,.a.final.session.for.questions.and.answers.is.a.token.sop.to.consultation...Information.has.to.travel.in.all.directions.‑.not.just.from.management.to.workers.‑.so.that.the.EWC.members.can.be.prepared.for.discussions.

We.need.to.update.the.directive,.and.in.particular.there.are.too.many.leftover.Article.�3.agreements.that.need.to.be.improved...An.acquisition.or.a.merger.is.sometimes.the.opportunity.to.upgrade.such.agreements,.but.too.often.we.concentrate.only.on.combining.the.two.EWCs.or.on.increasing.the.number.of.seats.without.involving.ourselves.in.the.actual.merger.and.integration.process.

National.means.can.be.expanded.to.the.EWCs,.such.as.the.right.in.France.for.financial.experts...We.further.need.to.align.European.and.national.information.and.consultation...I.attended.one.extraordinary.meeting.in.which.it.was.announced.that.a.deal.had.already.been.concluded.at.the.local.level.by.the.trade.unions...It.takes.a.lot.of.unity.and.discipline.to.remain.adamant.that.all.restructuring.negotiation.should.be.channelled.through.the.EWC,.but.it.ultimately.strengthens.our.position.

Our.French.colleagues.alluded.to.the.legal.perspective...It.is.nine.years.since.the.successful.Renault.case,.and.now.90%.of.agreements.are.not.adhered.to.by.management.

We.appreciated. the.work.of. the.EMF.coordinators,.as.we.would.not.have.achieved.so.much.without.such.active.commitment...There.was.however.a.minority.of.EWCs.that.had.never.seen.their.EMF.coordinator,.and.one.company.had.also.refused.its.EWC.access.to.the.EMF.coordinator.because.the.role.was.not.considered.of.assistance...Some.EWC.delegates.even.rejected.help.from.the.EMF.coordinator.because.they.believed.themselves.capable.of.handling.negotiations.alone.

There.are.various.skills.and.qualifications.required.of.an.EMF.coordinator.. .The.coordinator.must.be.an.expert,.a.negotiator,.a.mediator,.a.facilitator,.a.trainer,.a.communicator,.a.politician,.and.an.ambassador...We.are.not.yet.sure.that.everyone.on.the.list.is.so.multi‑skilled...I.imagine.that.it.is.difficult.for.a.coordinator.to.manage.the.relocation.of.jobs.from.one.country.to.another,.especially.as.coordinators.will.also.be.representatives.of.their.own.national.trade.union...The.coordinator.needs.a.European.attitude,.and.the.EWC.can.only.be.successful.if.the.coordinator.is.dedicated.to.a.European.solution...It.is.also.very.easy.for.coordinators.to.become.victims.of.their.own.success,.as.they.will.have.to.attend.more.meetings.and.commit.more.time.as.they.build.EWCs...National.trade.unions.could.assist.in.this.regard.by.formally.recognising.the.role.of.EMF.coordinators.

DiscussionSjaak Sperber:.When.Areva.acquired.Alstom,.the.management.came.forward.with.a.plan.for.restructuring...It.was.the.EWC.that.stopped.the.development.and.asked.for.an.economic.expert,.which.really.did.save.jobs.and.prolonged.the.process.. . I. think. that. is. an. example.of.management. being. prepared. to. consult. the.EWC.before. it.made. any.decisions.

Luc Triangle: The.Areva.agreement.also.defines.consultation.in.such.a.way.that.allows.the.possibility.for.it.to.take.place.before.the.final.management.decision...As.a.result,.there.has.been.a.step.forward.in.real.consultation.at.the.EWC.level...When.faced.with.a.draft.proposal,.there.is.the.opportunity.to.take.advice.from.an.economic.expert.to.analyse.the.company’s.plans.and.suggest.an.alterative.route.to.the.same.objective.with.fewer.job.losses...Christian,.can.you.explain.the.court.decision.on.consultation.in.France?

Christian Pilichowski: When.a.company.closes.down.in.France,.the.local.works.council.is.consulted.and.has.to.give.an.opinion...The.employer.is.not.allowed.to.close.down.a.site.until.the.works.council.has.given.its.opinion...I.can.recall.two.situations.that.both.related.to.European.companies.that.were.not.headquartered.in.France;.one.was.a.chemical.firm.located.in.Germany.and.the.other.was.a.metalworking.company.in.Sweden...In.one.case,.the.EWC.was.invited.to.a.meeting.before.the.meeting.that.was.due.to.take.place.in.France,.and.when.the.minutes.of.the.EWC.meeting.were.read.the.French.local.works.council.decided.to.go.to.court...Le tribunal de grande instance is.actually.a.civil.court,.not.a.labour.court.

The.judges.there.ruled.in.the.first.instance.that.the.local.works.council.had.not.been.consulted.in.a.sufficient.way,.meaning.that.at.the.EWC.the.workers.had.not.been.given.any.opportunity.to.put.forward.an.alternative...In.the.other.case,.the.judges.ruled.that.the.management.had.not.responded.to.the.workers’.objections.in.an.appropriate.manner...Both.courts.independently.decided.that.information.had.been.disseminated,.but.consultation.had.not.taken.place...The.Swedish.group.and.the.German.group.had.simply.informed.the.EWCs.of.their.decision.to.shut.down.the.companies,.and.according.to.French.law.this.was.not.deemed.to.be.a.genuine.consultation.

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The.legislation,.as.it.is.translated.into.French,.means.that.it.is.compulsory.to.have.an.exchange.of.opinions.prior.to.the.decision.to.close.down.the.company...We.expect.similar.cases.to.arise.in.the.future,.as.trade.unions.have.realised.that.it.is.a.good.tactic.for.winning.time...This.means.that.employers.will.have.to.change.their.strategies.towards.EWCs...The.ultimate.objective.is.to.have.a.relevant.and.valid.exchange.of.views,.so.I.think.that.it.is.in.our.interest.to.define.consultation.better.in.the.directive.

Luc Triangle: Sometimes.we.think.that.EWC.evolution.is.only.linked.to.the.revision.of.the.directive...This.could.mean.that.we.should.give.up.on.proper.consultation.until.the.directive.is.modified,.but.that.would.be.wrong...We.still.have.the.original.vague.definition.dating.from.�994,.which.was.the.best.that.we.could.achieve.at.the.time...However,.much.has.happened. in. the. subsequent.�2.years.. . Following. the.closure.of. the.Renault. factory. in.Vilvoorde,.when.there.was.no.consultation.at.the.European.level.or.at.the.local.level,.the.EMF.took.the.company.to.court.locally.and.in.Versailles.because. it.was.a.French‑based.company.. .The.court.supported.our.view.of.consultation,.deciding.that.Renault.had.not.executed.its.obligations.at.the.EWC.level...This.means.that.consultation.has.to.take.place.when.it.is.still.relevant.to.the.company’s.decision.

There.have.additionally.been.new.directives.on,. for.example,.worker. involvement. in.SEs.and.national. information.and.consultation.. .These.directives.define.consultation. in.a.different.way.. .Supported.by.case. law,.we.have.to.take.these.definitions.to.the.renegotiation.of.agreements.. . It.makes.sense. for.companies.to.change.their.definitions.of.consultation.because.the.tendency. in.Europe.is. in.that.direction.. .Even. if.the.EWC.directive.has.not.changed,.the.courts.are.telling.us.that.our.definition.is.right.while.the.European.Commission.is.also.striding.forwards.

This.was.the.approach.we.took.to.negotiations.with.Areva,.achieving.a.much.more.robust.definition.of.consultation.than.the.�994.directive...EWCs.should.therefore.take.a.more.proactive.line.on.consultation.because.we.do.not.have.to.wait.for.the.revision.of.the.directive...With.the.right.approach.and.by.referring.to.recent.cases.as.well.as.other.companies’.recent.agreements,.we.can.push.forward.management’s.view.of.consultation.

Participant: The.EWC.should.be.handled.by. trade.unions.. . If. there. is. to.be. a. real. power.of. consultation,. it. is.important.that.the.EWCs.receive.a.mandate...In.Alcatel,.the.negotiations.on.restructuring.take.place.at.the.national.level...For.the.EWC.to.be.recognised.as.an.interlocutor.by.management.in.a.consultation.role,.all.the.constituent.trade.unions.should.have.approved.it...The.coordinators.and.the.EMF.can.help,.but.it.is.a.problem...We.tried.to.negotiate.a.European.framework.agreement.on.teleworking.using.the.EWC,.but.the.trade.unions.rejected.the.EWC’s.authority.

Daniël Margodt:.On. the. topic. of. the. current. situation.with.Volkswagen,. I. have. heard. the.Belgian.minister. for.employment.say.that.the.Renault.case.law.should.be.adapted.

Participant: Sometimes.it.is.possible.to.get.the.best.out.of.existing.agreements,.so.that.there.is.a.real.exchange.of.information...I.have.found.that.the.Belgian.legislation.is.respected.and.my.EWC.received.financial.and.economic.information...We.have.to.ensure.that.this.information.provided.according.to.Belgian.law.is.then.passed.on.to.the.EWC.in.all.cases,.though...If.the.Belgian.law.could.be.integrated.into.all.agreements,.I.think.that.would.signal.a.genuine.step.forward.

Luc Triangle: When.national.legislation.is.so.broad,.we.can.use.it.to.define.the.topics.discussed.at.the.European.level.. .The. point. was. made. that. trade. unions,. as. well. as. management,. might. not. want. to. move. towards. proper.consultation.at.the.European.level...This.would.supersede.consultation.at.the.national.level,.so.some.trade.unions.are.reluctant.to.hand.over.restructuring.negotiations.to.the.EWC...Another.possibility.is.for.trade.unions.to.use.the.EWC.to.gather.as.much.information.as.possible.before.returning.to.national.negotiations...This.will. lead.to.competition.between.European.trade.unions,.which.invariably.leads.to.longer.working.hours.and.lower.pay...If.we.do.not.play.that.game.and.negotiate.at.the.European.level,.we.can.avoid.this.beauty.contest.

Participant:.There.are.many.different.types.of.restructuring,.from.competition.between.sites.in.Europe.to.competition.from.further.afield...Even.when.consulted.in.a.timely.fashion,.it.is.not.always.possible.to.come.up.with.viable.alternatives.to.restructuring...Swedish.law.requires.companies.to.provide.their.plans.to.trade.unions.quite.early,.so.that.we.can.suggest.ways.to.make.our.sites.more.competitive...Even.with.expert.help,.we.cannot.do.that.successfully.every.time...Nevertheless,.we.have.to.rely.on.national.trade.unions.because.they.have.the.necessary.knowledge.of.the.market.and.the.law...The.EWC.can.help.colleagues.who.do.not.benefit.from.such.local.structures,.but.otherwise.I.think.the.body.of.work.should.occur.long.before.any.restructuring.is.postulated...We.should.first.demand.training.and.education.for.our.colleagues.so.that.they.remain.employable.in.the.labour.market...Second,.we.should.fight.for.new.technologies.and.new.products.so.that.our.sites.remain.competitive.and.avoid.restructuring.altogether.

Claude Verdier: We.in.Alcan.have.just.faced.low‑level.restructuring.in.all.our.sites,.but.the.French.legislation.did.not.allow.us.to.claim.consultation.and.information.rights...We.could,.however,.claim.the.rights.at.the.European.level...Our.restructuring.was.in.a.chained.sequence,.first.foreseen.in.our.French.sites.before.being.extended.to.Europe.and.then.worldwide...This.obliged.the.management.to.call.an.extraordinary.EWC,.but.the.multi‑year.time.horizon.has.made.it.hard.for.us.to.involve.all.of.the.actors...Only.5‑�0.workers.in.each.plant.will.be.affected,.which.presents.a.challenge.for.the.EMF.coordinator...People.have.praised.the.positive.contribution.of.the.coordinators,.but.we.are.looking.at.a.permanent.process.of.restructuring...To.manage.this,.we.will.need.more.than.one.person...This.is.why.I.believe.that.EWCs.have.to.be.supported.at.the.national.level.by.trade.unions.

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Luc Triangle: Taking.the.current.example.Volkswagen,.we.cannot.hope.that.the.loss.of.two.thirds.of.a.site’s.employees.is.an.isolated.case...It.is.not.just.a.Belgian.issue,.as.Berthold.Huber.highlighted.when.he.noted.that.20,000.German.workers.would.also.lose.their.jobs...Volkswagen.has.only.just.opened.Pandora’s.box.and.we.can.be.sure.that.there.is.more.inside.that.will.extend.beyond.Germany.and.Belgium...The.trade.unions.that.dismiss.it.as.a.national.issue.are.mistaken...We.are.all.involved.and.it.is.the.role.of.the.EWC.to.demand.the.company’s.European.plan.and.its.global.plan...Volkswagen.will.not.solve.its.problems.through.small‑scale.one‑off.redundancies,.so.next.month.maybe.it.will.be.your.country.that.faces.cutbacks.

In.these.cases,.though,.the.EWC.cannot.act.on.its.own...It.is.extremely.important.that.the.EWC,.through.its.coordinator,.links.back.to.the.trade.unions.and.the.EMF...In.cases.of.restructuring,.we.must.act.jointly.and.see.the.common.interest...It.will.not.be.easy.because.we.are.still.pushed.by.management.to.act.only.at.the.local.level.according.to.local.interests,.but.the.common.front.is.at.the.European.level.

Maureen Kearney:. Earlier. this. year,. we. presented. a. training. session. on. the. cultural. differences. of. the. EWC’s.members...This.session.was.very.useful.because.it.enabled.us.to.understand.each.other.better.and.listen.to.each.other.better...I.would.advise.you.all.to.provide.such.cultural.sessions,.which.really.teach.us.to.listen.and.to.forget.where.we.come.from.

Trans-national Restructuring: The EMF Handbook

Isabelle Barthes EMF Senior Adviser

BackgroundThis.is.a.working.tool.to.help.trade.unions.better.understand.and.deal.with.trans‑national.restructuring...This.handbook.was.drafted.on.the.basis.of.the.different.experiences.of.the.EMF,.presenting.our.political.vision.and.how.we.believe.we.should.react...The.handbook.also.includes.various.practical.tools.and.recommendations.to.help.you.face.trans‑national.restructuring...The.question.concerns.how.we.can.efficiently.deal.with.trans‑national.restructuring.when.the.national.organisations.possess.only. limited.means. for. intervention.. .For.the.EMF,.the.only.possible.response. is.a.European.response.

The EMF’s 10 principlesIt.is.important.to.anticipate.the.evolution.of.the.company,.which.requires.transparent.information.in.the.EWC.and.among.the.trade.unions...When.there.is.restructuring.at.the.trans‑national.level,.it.is.up.to.the.EWC.to.play.its.role.fully.before.the.national.bodies.take.up.the.planned.decisions...Of.course,.the.EWC.cannot.act.on.its.own...We.need.European.trade‑union.coordination.because.the.trade.unions.are.not.capable.of.committing.at.the.national.level...We.have.to.develop.together.a.European.platform,.which.will.offer.analysis.as.well.as.sustainable. industrial.and.social.alternatives.. .We.should. thus. focus.on.a.European. framework.agreement. to.guarantee.minimum.standards. for.all.employees,.a.strategy.that.has.proved.successful.in.the.past...These.principles.are.not.mere.abstractions;.whenever.we.in.the.EMF.have.to.face.trans‑national.restructuring,.we.act.according.to.the.principles.

European lawEveryone. is. familiar. with. the. directive. on. EWCs,. but. there. are. other. directives. that. address. information. and.consultation.. .Definitions.of. information.and.consultation. in. these.directives.are.broader. than. those. in. the.EWC.directive...There.are.also.relevant.social.directives,.such.as.on.the.transfer.of.companies.and.economic.legislation.on.trans‑national.mergers...The.handbook.summarises.these.laws,.but.the.full.text.of.the.directives.is.available.on.the.EU’s.website.in.your.own.language.

Merger-control legislationMergers. and. acquisitions. in. Europe,. which. are. increasing,. require. pre‑authorisation. from. the. Competition.Directorate‑General.of.the.European.Commission...The.new.body.has.to.comply.with.the.rules.of.the.internal.market.and.not.assume.a.monopoly.position,.so.the.European.Commission.has.a.role.to.play. in.defining.the.structure.of.

20

the.new.group...This.process.often.excludes.worker.representation,.so.the.handbook.explains.the.operation.of.the.procedure.and.the.right.to.be.heard.by.the.competition.authorities...Employee.representatives.can.present.their.fears.about.their.employment.and.industrial.relations,.so.this.is.an.important.tool.for.us.that.has.often.been.underused.and.underestimated.

Legal procedures and EWCsLegal.action.can.enhance.our.information.and.consultation.rights...Only.20%.of.EWCs.are.informed.and.consulted.before.management.decisions.are.made,.which. is.an. important.and.blatant.example.of.the.non‑fulfilment.of.EWC.agreements...Case.law.is.limited.in.this.area,.but.it.is.growing...In.addition.to.the.examples.already.mentioned,.a.few.days.ago.a.French.court.condemned.a.company.because.it.had.furnished.its.EWC.with.sufficient.information...We.can.use.these.courtroom.decisions.to.reinforce.our.own.position,.so.the.handbook.outlines.the.main.legal.decisions.to.date.and.provides.practical.recommendations.on.lodging.legal.challenges.to.company’s.decisions...You.will.know.how.this.works.at.the.national.level,.but.it.is.not.so.easy.for.an.EWC.to.use.the.courts.for.these.purposes.

National toolsThe.handbook.sets.out.an.important.overview.of.all.the.national.legal.tools.and.action.means.available.to.trade.unions.in.the.event.of.trans‑national.restructuring...We.can.no.longer.distinguish.European.action.from.national.action;.on.the.contrary,.there.should.be.a.communication.between.the.two.levels...This.will.help.us.to.understand.the.means.accessible.to.national.trade.unions.as.well.as.helping.us.to.understand.the.means.to.hand.in.other.countries.

Practical notesThe.handbook.exists.in.French,.English.and.German,.and.it.will.be.translated.into.Spanish,.Czech,.Dutch.and.Swedish...Some.aspects.of.the.handbook.are.complex,.so.we.have.developed.some.training.material.to.facilitate.the.circulation.and.use.of.the.handbook.

ConclusionUp. to.now,. the.EMF.has.had. to. take.urgent. actions.when.dealing.with. trans‑national. restructuring.. .Rather. than.reacting.to.immediate.cases.of.restructuring,.we.will.move.to.anticipating.changes.in.companies.and.sectors.

DiscussionSabina Petrucci: Will.the.handbook.be.translated.into.Italian?..At.the.beginning.of.the.project.when.we.decided.to.draft.the.handbook,.we.made.a.decision.to.translate.the.handbook.into.all.languages.

Isabelle Barthes: The.handbook.was.drafted.with.the.support.of.the.European.Commission...We.were.supposed.to.receive.some.funding.in.the.second.stage.of.the.project.for.the.translation.of.the.handbook.into.a.great.number.of.languages...Unfortunately,.the.second.phase.of.the.project.was.rejected.by.the.European.Commission...That.means.that,.with.the.approval.of.the.ETUC,.in.September.we.quickly.had.to.prioritise.the.languages.to.cover.

Sabina Petrucci: What.were.the.criteria.used.when.deciding.the.target.languages?

Luc Triangle: The.EMF.did.send.a.letter.to.all.of.its.affiliates.in.August,.enquiring.as.to.the.languages.and.numbers.needed...Based.on.that.response.and.a.second.consultation.at.the.Company.Policy.Committee.in.September,.we.took.the.decision.on.languages...You.know.that.I.appreciate.the.importance.of.Italian,.but.we.had.to.make.a.choice.

Sabina Petrucci: The.point.is.not.about.translation.into.Italian...The.larger.political.issue.is.that.the.handbook.has.to.be.used.by.workers.sitting.on.EWCs,.which.means.that.it.has.to.be.translated.into.all.of.our.working.languages...I.do.not.think.that.the.national.trade.unions.can.cover.these.translation.costs.on.their.own.

Daniel Pellet Robert:.We.need.to.settle.the.EMF’s.policy.on.European.court.cases.. .No.one.today. is. likely.to.believe.that.companies.operate.on.a.random.basis...They.work.according.to.long‑term.policies,.so.we.need.to.agree.on.the.priority.of.information.made.available.to.the.EWCs...This.will.help.us.to.set.up.a.real.consultation.process,.which.has.to.be.set.in.motion.before.any.decision.is.made...If.we.could.be.informed.of.a.company’s.three‑year.predictions.for.headcount,.for.example,.we.could.put.better.proposals.on.the.table...The.EMF.has.to.determine.what.information.is.crucial.for.all.EWCs,.and.we.should.move.forward.united.on.that.front.

2�

Luc Triangle: We.agree.that.there.is.a.need.for.a.common.agenda.in.some.sectors...We.will.campaign.to.establish.certain.issues.in.the.agendas.of.all.EWCs.

Isabelle Barthes: I. share. that. sentiment. fully. and. I. assume. that. this.will. be. a. priority. of. our.Company. Policy.Committee.

Luc Triangle: Our. view. is. that. EWCs. are. indeed. a. platform. from.which.we. can. initiate. negotiations.on.many.different.topics...In.the.eyes.of.the.EMF.and.its.affiliated.trade.unions,.these.negotiations.cannot.be.conducted.solely.by.the.EWC...They.should.rather.be.done.by.the.trade.unions.in.cooperation.with.the.EWC.

Areva: Equality in the Workplace

Maureen Kearney EWC Chairwoman

ArevaAreva. is. in. the. nuclear. industry,. building. nuclear. plants. all. over. the.world,. and. also. handles.waste. treatment.. . It.operates.mainly.in.France.and.has.done.a.lot.of.work.in.Chernobyl.

The European framework agreement

Partnerships

The.European.framework.agreement.was.negotiated.between.the.EMF,.the.special.negotiating.body.mandated.by.the.national.trade.unions.and.Areva’s.management...From.its.inception,.the.EWC.accompanied.the.agreement.and.EWC.delegates.were.informed.of.its.progress.continually...The.EMF’s.guidance.was.invaluable,.and.the.partnership.made.the.experience.rewarding.and.enriching...With.willingness.and.determination,.an.ambitious.agreement.at.the.European.level.can.be.put.into.place.for.employees.throughout.Europe...The.debates.were.staged.in.a.constructive.way,.as.the.working.relationship.between.the.three.parties.enabled.us.to.proceed.in.a.harmonious.environment.

Methodology

We.put.into.place.a.questionnaire.on.disabled.people.and.equality.that.was.submitted.to.all.sites.so.that.we.could.establish.the.current.situation.in.Europe...It.touched.on.issues.such.as.training,.recruitment,.salary,.the.percentage.of.women.and.disabled.people.in.the.workplace,.and.so.on...Graphs.were.then.created.to.identify.best.practice.and.potential.weaknesses,.which.served.as.the.basis.for.negotiating.the.agreement...We.visited.several.sites.to.observe.first.hand.best.practices.

Negotiation

Four. meetings. took. place. between. the. three.parties,. with. the. objective. of. delivering. an. ambitious. yet. workable.agreement.that.would.be.applicable.throughout.Europe...We.also.intended.to.advance.equality.in.the.workplace.with.respect.to.national.legislation.

Contents

The.agreement.is.divided.into.two.parts...First,.on.gender.equality.we.worked.on.recruitment,.career.development,.training,.equal.pay.and.provisions.for.parenthood...On.disabled.persons,.the.issues.were.awareness.and.communication,.recruitment.and.access.to.employment,.integration,.training,.adaptation.of.workstations,.and.accessibility.to.all.parts.of.the.workplace...This.of.course.necessitated.huge.investment.on.the.part.of.Areva.

Objectives

We.sought. to. implement. communication. and. awareness. training,. social. dialogue. and.monitoring,. and. local. action.plans.

22

Next stepsThe.EMF.is.presenting.the.agreement.to.its.affiliated.trade.unions,.and.a.presentation.has.already.been.made.to.the.EWC.delegates...Once.the.final.agreement.is.verified.by.the.EMF’s.affiliated.trade.unions,.it.will.be.translated.into.the.different.languages.of.the.EWC.and.then.become.applicable...Communication.and.awareness.training.for.employee.representatives.and.Human.Resources.managers.will.be.in.place.by.2007,.which.will.be.vital.if.the.agreement.is.to.work...Members.of.the.EWC.select.committee.and.Areva.Human.Resources.will.visit.sites.to.share.the.spirit.and.philosophy.of.the.agreement...An.annual.review.of.both.the.national.and.local.action.plans.will.assess.their.performance,.while.a.monitoring.committee.will.oversee.the.active.implementation.of.the.agreement.throughout.Europe.

ConclusionThe.EMF.has.indicated.that.this.is.one.of.best.agreements.at.the.European.level.that.it.has.been.involved.in.negotiating...It.is.moreover.the.first.time.that.an.EWC.has.been.involved.in.the.construction.of.a.European.framework.agreement.from.the.beginning...It.is.the.responsibility.of.each.and.every.one.of.us.to.make.sure.that.the.agreement.serves.the.people.it.is.intended.to.represent.

DiscussionParticipant: You.indicated.that.your.company.was.active.in.the.nuclear.field,.which.is.a.very.difficult.and.controversial.sector...Do.you.feel.that.Areva’s.management.was.genuine.or.do.you.suspect.that.the.company.wanted.to.improve.its.image?

Maureen Kearney: I. think.that. it. is. in.between.the.two.. .The.management.was.genuine,.but.this.agreement.will.certainly.be.positive.for.the.Areva.group...It.will.nonetheless.benefit.employees.of.the.Areva.group.throughout.the.world.

Isabelle Barthes: This.was.the.first.agreement.to.be.signed.by.the.central.management.of.a.company.and.the.EMF.with.a.mandate.from.all.the.trade.unions...This.is.a.turning.point.in.the.history.of.the.EMF.because.the.importance.of.trade.unions.was.fully.recognised.at.the.European.level...I.should.also.underline.that.it.is.an.excellent.agreement,.but.a.lot.remains.to.be.done.in.the.implementation.phase...It.is.clear.that.the.agreement’s.contents.will.not.create.challenges.in.France.or.Germany,.but.it.will.not.be.so.easy.in.other.countries.

Arcelor: Health and Safety Convention

Pierre Coletti Former EWC Member

ArcelorThe.Arcelor.group.was.created.in.2002.and.is.a.significant.player.in.the.metal.sector...It.was.formed.following.the.merger.of.Aceralia,.Arbed.and.Usinor,.and.has.now.merged.with.Mittal.Steel...The.EWC.agreement.will.therefore.have.to.be.renegotiated,.which.will.start.in.a.few.weeks’.time.

The EWC and safetyIn.France,.for.example,.there.are.two.different.structures.to.take.care.of.safety.issues...The.rationale.for.separating.the.EWC. from. the.Health. and.Safety.C.ommittees. in. this.way. is. that. companies. assume. their.duties.extend.no.further.than.the.national.regulations...Through.dialogue.with.our.social.partners.and.the.management,.we.felt.that.the.sustainable.development.of.the.metal.sector.was.a.responsibility.of.the.whole.company...On.a.global.level,.safety.issues.are.critically.important.to.the.company’s.development...Arcelor.is.a.leader.in.the.metal.sector.and.metal.is.present.everywhere,.so.it.cannot.be.seen.as.a.material.that.jeopardises.lives...When.the.agreement.was.signed,.we.defined.the.tasks.of.the.committee...Our.most.important.activity.relates.to.following.up.in.terms.of.safety,.as.the.EWC.is.not.authorised.to.take.decisions.on.safety.

23

ResultsWhen.the.EWC.was.set.up.in.2002,.we.had.many.problems.with.safety...There.had.been,.for.instance,.24.fatalities.in.Europe.and.there.had.been.a.huge.explosion.at.the.Liège.site...The.company’s.management.and.EWC.immediately.prioritised.safety...We.had.to.reach.a.zero.level.of.fatalities.so.we.identified.five.core.areas:.the.prevention.of.disease,.the.prevention.of.industrial.hazards,.subcontracting,.the.implementation.of.European.directives,.and.training...Employee.representatives.and.managers.drafted.a.series.of.proposals.for.best.practice.through.a.shared.dialogue.and.common.commitment.to.safety...2003.saw.half.as.many.fatalities.as.2002.

MobilisationAs.a.whole,.the.Arcelor.group—the.managers.and.the.social.partners—reached.a.consensus.over.safety...Action.has.to.be.ongoing.because.safety.is.always.under.pressure.in.the.workplace,.which.is.kept.running.by.the.standing.Health.and.Safety.committee...The.mandate.of.this.committee.will.evolve.over.time,.as.safety.issues.always.have.to.be.optimised...One.important.element.is.to.follow.up.action,.and.the.EWC.in.particular.sought.feedback.from.the.various.sites...All.the.sites.were.surveyed,.but.despite.the.intense.central.pressure.safety.was.not.a.priority.in.every.location...Of.the.�2�.surveys.that.we.sent.out,.only.50.were.returned.

Next stepsWe.are.pursuing.reports.on.all.of.Arcelor’s.action.points.and.we.need.workers. to.participate. in. the.appropriate.working.groups...We.would.also.like.to.see.specific.approaches.to.each.of.the.core.safety.issues...Follow‑up.work.is.completed.regularly.by.the.select.committee,.and.is.further.considered.by.the.EWC...When.we.realised.in.2005.that.the.majority.of.accidents.were.attributable.to.workers.forgetting.to.use.safety.equipment,.we.ensured.that.the.point.was.followed.up.

Common actionsWe.exchanged.good.and.bad.practice.because.it.is.important.to.remedy.and.share.knowledge.of.bad.practice...We.analysed.fatalities.and.subcontracting.risks,.with.a.European.evaluation.on.an.annual.basis...The.drafting.of.the.safety.declaration.is.a.holistic.and.consensual.process.incorporating.all.the.partners...Follow‑up.work.is.thorough,.so.that.when.in.2004.we.noticed.that.people.were.no.longer.paying.enough.attention.to.safety.the.EWC.and.management.both.intervened.strongly...It.is.important.to.remember.that.we.can.always.improve,.but.the.only.valid.aim.is.to.achieve.zero.fatal.accidents...When.progress.slows.down,.we.can.launch.events.such.as.worldwide.health.and.safety.days.

ConclusionsOur.aim.is.to.reduce.accidents.through.our.method.of.permanent.mobilisation...All.workers.and.subcontractors—�00,000.people—need.to.participate.for.this.to.be.a.success...The.most.recent.accident.saw.�8.people.die.in.a.mine.in.Kazakhstan,.so.we.are.committed.to.roll.out.our.safety.initiatives.until.all.of.Arcelor’s.plants.worldwide.operate.to.an.equal.standard.of.best.practice.

DiscussionLuc Triangle: Many.EWCs.can.get.health.and.safety.onto.the.agenda,.but.Arcelor.is.a.good.example.of.the.EWC.partnering.management.to.resolve.a.problem.

Participant: What.happened.before.2002.to.precipitate.this.programme?

Pierre Coletti: Nothing.happened.before.2002.because.Arcelor.did.not.exist.then...After.the.merger.of.the.three.companies,.there.were.nine.months.of.negotiation.before.the.EWC.was.set.up...A.prerequisite.of.setting.up.the.EWC.was.implementing.these.procedures.on.safety.

Participant: How.did.that.relate.to.the.safety.in.the.three.companies.before.2002?

Pierre Coletti: In.2002,.it.was.observed.that.the.company’s.safety.policies.were.those.of.its.host.nation...The.law.thus.varied.around.Arcelor’s.plants.in.Europe.and.there.were.substantial.differences.in.the.application.of.these.safety.regulations.in.the.company’s.sites...There.was.no.universal.priority.on.safety,.so.the.accident.rate.differed.from.sector.to.sector...The.aim.of.the.EWC.was.therefore.to.be.consistent.and.work.according.to.the.same.policies.throughout.the.company...This.was.received.positively,.and.it.became.the.engine.to.drive.forwards.those.people.who.had.been.lagging.behind...It.became.utterly.unacceptable.to.see.workers.lose.their.lives.or.become.disabled.

24

Sjaak Sperber:.I.used.to.work.for.Berg.Electronics,.which.is.now.a.part.of.FCI...When.Berg.was.privatised,.all.of.its.safety.rules.fell.apart.and.FCI.has.not.resurrected.them...It.is.important.that.the.EWC.ensures.that.safety.standards.do.not.slip.in.mergers.or.acquisitions,.which.I.think.should.be.a.general.rule.of.restructuring.policy.

Sabina Petrucci: Do.you.intend.to.extend.the.agreement.to.the.accession.countries.as.well?

Pierre Coletti: When.Arcelor.merges.with.Mittal,. the.new.group.will.have.230,000.workers.. .According. to. the.historical.legacy,.the.safety.rules.in.some.of.the.plants.are.very.old...Our.aim.is.to.bring.them.level.with.Arcelor’s.best.plants.and.provide.the.means.to.achieve.this...In.the.negotiations.for.the.future.EWC,.safety.will.be.a.major.priority.

In.September.2005,.Arcelor.and.the.EMF.signed.an.agreement.for.the.creation.of.a.safety.group.at.the.world.level.because.we.would.like.to.see.an.international.works.council...Our.aim.is.to.secure.a.safety.policy.that.is.identical.throughout.Europe.and.beyond...The.same.policies.are.being.put.in.place.in.Argentina.and.Brazil,.for.example...We.try.to.apply.the.same.policy.to.subcontractors,.but.that.is.unfortunately.more.difficult.because.we.are.not.party.to.management’s.negotiations.with.subcontractors...Such.financially.orientated.negotiations.are.always.at.the.expense.of.safety.conditions,.but.we.believe.that.all.workers.in.our.plants.should.be.on.the.same.footing.

Elie Bensaci: These.two.actions.are.very.positive,.so.have.they.changed.the.EWC’s.relationship.with.the.company’s.management?..Has.it.had.any.effect.on.EWC.credibility.around.more.sensitive.issues.such.as.restructuring?

Pierre Coletti: If.there.is.a.field.in.which.trade.unions.and.managers.of.all.levels.have.to.meet,.it.is.safety...Management.should.not.regard.it.only.as.a.means.of.advertising.the.company,.because.that.leads.to.poor.outcomes...There.has.been.a.real.commitment.from.Arcelor’s.EWC.and.management.to.devote.all.necessary.means.to.safety...Implementing.the.policy.in.so.many.plants.requires.permanent.attention,.entailing.contact.with.local.managers.as.well.as.local.trade.unions...The.most.important.person.is.the.worker,.so.all.of.the.elements.in.the.process.need.to.work.properly.

Maureen Kearney:.Our.relationship.with.top.managers.is.credible,.which.maximises.value.to.the.workers.when.we.implement.the.agreement...Once.we.see.the.agreement.applied.in.places.like.Turkey.as.well,.I.think.that.our.credibility.with.all.parties.will.be.very.high.indeed.

Participant:.The.agreements. are.very. good,.but.what. about. the. reality.of. life. in.French.companies?. .The.more.accidents.that.occur,.the.more.the.company.incurs.fines...Companies.therefore.find.ways.to.hide.the.true.accident.rate.to.avoid.paying.the.fines,.so.how.can.the.agreement.change.management’s.mentality?

Pierre Coletti: It. is. true. that. local.managers. strive. to. reduce. their.official. accident. rates.. .Unless. you. install. a.militant.behind.every.manager,.this.predisposition.is.hard.to.change...I.can.remember.one.manager.who.systematically.concealed.accident.data,.even.if.workers.were.hospitalised.or.went.on.lengthy.sick.leave...This.manager.was.finally.exposed.and.sanctioned,.so.these.practices.exist.in.all.companies.but.our.commitment.to.reaching.the.zero.level.will.not.waver...I.think.Arcelor.is.close.to.that.level,.but.no.EWC.would.abet.such.deceit.

Luc Triangle: I.think.those.two.examples.show.that.EWCs.can.go.further.than.just.meeting.once.a.year.to.discuss.an.agenda.composed.by.the.management...The.EMF.strongly.supports.these.developments.and.the.idea.that.EWCs.should.be.utilised.to.initiate.such.programmes...If.you.have.further.examples.of.such.agreements,.we.would.like.to.hear.about.them.so.we.can.share.the.good.practice.with.colleagues.

Concluding Remarks

Peter Scherrer EMF General Secretary

Towards a conclusionOur.discussions.over.the.past.two.days.have.shown.that.we.have.not.reached.a.final.conclusion...We.have.discussed.the.process.and.how.European.trade.unions.will.defend.workers’.positions.in.the.future...I.cannot.offer.any.definite.solutions,.but.I.can.set.out.the.prominent.challenges.that.we.are.facing.

EMF policyI. am. glad. to. see. that. this. conference. has. been. attended. so. well. and. so. enthusiastically.. . Despite. the. pragmatic.difficulties.of.organising. the.conference,. the.EMF’s. trade‑union.affiliates.have.shown.a.great. interest. in.reinforcing.their.cooperation.at.the.European.level...Restructuring.is.unfortunately.at.the.top.of.the.agenda.in.many.EWCs,.with.

25

workers.fighting.to.preserve.not.only.their.jobs.but.the.industrial.basis.of.their.economy...Against.this.threat,.we.need.to.pool.our.forces.to.save.jobs.in.Europe...I.hope.that.this.conference.will.send.a.clear.signal.to.the.EMF.congress.about.the.importance.of.company.policy,.which.should.duly.shape.our.future.positioning.

Themes

Political imperatives

We.need.to.do.more.lobbying.at.the.political.level.to.strengthen.he.rights.of.EWCs.and.simultaneously.defend.the.rights.of.trade.unions...The.European.Commission.should.be.our.focus.here,.as.it.in.fact.has.a.restructuring.taskforce.dedicated.to. these.processes.. .The.taskforce. is.only.gathering. information.at. the.moment,.but.we.should.steer. it.towards.considering.possible.ways.to.mitigate.the.negative.consequences.of.restructuring.

The EWC directive

We.all.know.that.the.political.climate.is.unfavourable.for.the.time.being,.so.we.are.unlikely.to.see.any.amendment.of.the.directive.in.the.short.term...This.should.not.be.taken.to.mean.that.we.should.relent;.we.should.instead.cooperate.with.the.ETUC.to.revise.the.directive.so.that.it.takes.into.account.the.changing.economic.and.social.conditions.in.Europe...All.of.our.European.partners.need.to.fight.for.this.aim.

EWC agreements

The.quality.of.the.EWC.agreements.has.to.improve...Our.efforts.have.concentrated.on.providing.support.to.companies.eligible.for.EWCs.and.investing.resources.into.those.companies.so.that.they.can.establish.EWCs...However,.we.should.also.invest.time.in.the.existing.agreements.to.ensure.that.they.provide.the.correct.consultation.rights.to.employees.

Training

I.think.that.the.members.of.EWCs.should.be.promoted.with.all.the.resources.that.are.available.to.the.EMF.and.our.affiliates...We.have.a.plethora.of.experiences.and.we.should.organise.them.more.systematically.

EMF coordinators

The.EMF.has.to.pay.closer.attention.to.this.role,.providing.more.rigorous.support.to.them...They.undoubtedly.have.a.central.function.in.the.work.of.EWCs.

Trade unions

We.have.to.clarify.the.relationship.between.trade.unions.and.EWCs,.in.particular.around.mandates.to.negotiate.and.conclude.agreements...A.revised.directive.could.help.to.identify.discrete.functions.for.each.party...I.believe.that.there.should.be. interaction.between.the.two,.as.successful.negotiation.will. rely.on.their.ability. to.work.together.. .They.have.complementary.competencies—EWCs.have.access.to.high‑quality.information.while.trade.unions.are.banks.of.expertise—so.there.need.not.be.any.competition.for.power.between.them.

Forward planning

We.need.to.anticipate.industrial.developments.so.that.we.can.take.a.more.proactive.stance...It.is.not.acceptable.for.us.to.wait.for.company.management.to.inform.us.of.their.plans.after.they.have.arrived.at.a.decision.independently.

European framework agreements

These. are. important. instruments. for. improving.employee. rights,.which. should.be.pursued.wherever. they. can.be.used.effectively...They.are.particularly.helpful.in.demonstrating.the.added.value.of.the.European.level.to.workers.in.companies...European.cooperation.benefits.them.the.most,.so.this.can.be.a.tool.to.overcome.the.scepticism.prevalent.among.some.trade.unionists...This.will.require.visible.and.measurable.results.

Company policy

You.have.helped.us.to.refocus.our.work.according.to.our.affiliates’.needs,.underlining.the.importance.of.the.Company.Policy.Committee.to.the.EMF...This.message.will.certainly.be.passed.on.to.the.EMF.congress.

2�

VolkswagenIt.has.been.proposed.that.we.issue.a.declaration.of.solidarity.for.the.workers.of.Volkswagen.in.Brussels,.which.I.will.send.to.them.in.English.

‘The.participants.at.the.EMF.Company.Policy.Conference,.held.in.Brussels.on.the.22nd.and.23rd.November.200�,.declared.their.solidarity.and.full.support.for.the.workers.at.Volkswagen.Forest,.whose.jobs.and.future.are.now.under.threat...The.participants.overwhelmingly.agree.that.every.effort.should.be.made.at.European.level.to.seek.a.viable.alternative.industrial.plan.for.the.Belgian.Volkswagen.plant.to.safeguard.a.maximum.number.of.jobs.and.provide.the.basis.for.a.sustainable.future.for.the.plant...We.call.on.Volkswagen’s.management.to.show.responsibility.towards.the.workers.affected.by.their.decisions.and.to.provide.alternatives.for.production.in.the.Forest.plant...We.are.all.aware.that.the.European.automotive.sector.is.going.through.a.period.of.far‑reaching.restructuring.and.that.manufacturing.jobs.are.under.threat. in.general. in.Europe.. .We.therefore.call.on.European.politicians.to.act.quickly.to.develop.a.strategy.guaranteeing.a.future.for.manufacturing.industry.in.Europe.’

The.above.is.a.summary.of.the.speeches.delivered.on.22nd.and.23rd.November.200�.at.the.�st.EMF.Company.Policy.Conference.

27

Appendix

This.section.contains.some.of.the.presentations.given.at.the.Conference..

The.EMF.Secretariat.is.pleased.to.announce.that.the.Conference.report.together.with.other.conference.documentation.

has.been.published.on.our.website:

http://www.emf-fem.org/areas_of_work/company_policy/activities

You.will.also.find.there.some.other.useful.back.ground.documents:

•. EMF.guidelines.on.EWC.negotiations.

•. EMF.resolution.on.the.role.of.EMF.coordinators.

•. European.Company.Statute.:.EMF.guidelines.

•. EMF.policy.approach.towards.socially.responsible.company.restructuring.

•. EMF.Handbook:.How.to.deal.with.transnational.company.restructuring.

•. Internal.EMF.procedure.for.negotiations.at.multinational.company.level.

List of Power Point presentations:

�.. Luc.Triangle.“Political.Evaluation.and.Strategic.Views.on.EMF.Activities.Regarding.Company.Policy”

2.. Maureen.Kearney.“Areva:.Equality.in.the.Workplace”..

3.. Pierre.Coletti.“Arcelor:.Health.and.Safety.Convention”

28

Luc Triangle “Political Evaluation and Strategic Views on EMF Activities Regarding Company Policy”

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

1

POLITICAL EVALUATION AND

STRATEGIC VIEWS ON EMF

ACTIVITIES REGARDING COMPANY

POLICY

Luc TRIANGLE, CCMB (B)

EMF Company Policy Committee

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

2

1. The EMF and European Works Councils : a

milestone in the development of a European Social

Model

2. The EMF Co-ordinators

3. EWCs as a step towards real workers’ involvement :

from consultation to negotiation

4. Participation as a workers’ right

5. EMF Company Policy 2007 - 2011

29

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

3

1. The EMF and European Works Councils

1.1. Began in 1994 and before

- First experiences in 80s

- Breakthrough in 1994

- Set up of EMF EWC Task Force

- Political co-ordination from the start : EWC is a

European topic

- Importance of the ‘article 13 period’ : 155 EMF

agreements by 22.09.96 (now : 330)

- Pro-active EMF approach

- EMF was the only European platform for companies

to negotiate an EWC agreement (until 09/1996)

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

4

1. The EMF and European Works Councils

1.2. EMF Binding Guidelines for EWC procedure and

content (1996 - 2001)

- One common European agenda

- Binding character

- Minimum quality standard

- By far the majority of our 330 EWC agreements meet

the EMF Guidelines

- Clarify the procedure (exchange of information) as

well as the content

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

5

1. The EMF and European Works Councils

1.2. EMF Binding Guidelines for EWC procedure and

content (1996 - 2001) – content

- At least one meeting per year

- Full day pre-meeting

- Right to elect a select committee with facilities and clear role

- Right to meet in case of exceptional circumstances

- Written report

- Simultaneous interpretation

- Expert of their choice at all meetings

- Not all information is confidential

- All necessary costs are covered by management

- Communication rights, also facilities at national level

30

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

6

1. The EMF and European Works Councils

1.2. EMF Binding Guidelines for EWC procedure and

content (1996 - 2001) – recommendations

- Inclusion of members from accession countries + CH

- Improved definition of consultation

- Right for training for the EWC

- Secretarial and translation support

- Participation of woman representatives

- Extension of the list of EWC Competences

- Agreement lifespan of 4 years

- Right for a debriefing meeting

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

7

1. The EMF and European Works Councils

1.3. Evaluation : did we succeed so far ?

- 330 EWC agreements (280 existing) is a good result, but we still

have to go for more

- 60 ongoing negotiations : negotiations take longer (smaller

companies, full use of three year negotiation period)

- EMF Guidelines have been crucial in our strategy for European

common policy

- However : in some cases, the EMF Minimum standards became

the maximum possible target (Companies started to know our

‘agenda’)

- Most of the EMF agreements meet the Guidelines

- Importance of EMF expert during the EWC negotiations

- EMF Task Force (until 2003) : driving force to give the

necessary and frequent follow – up

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

8

1. The EMF and European Works Councils

1.3. Evaluation : have we succeeded so far ?

- Integration of UK (before 1999) and afterwards

accession countries has been good

- EMF tools : training handbook (1998), database

(2002), handbook on how to deal with restructuring

(2006)

- No success so far on Revision of EWC Directive :

lack of political interest and lack of continuity in trade

union pressure (and priority ?)

3�

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

9

2. The EMF Co-ordinators : a trade union

bridge towards our 300 main companies

- From focus only on negotiation (1994 – 2000) to

focus also on existing EWCs (2000 onwards)

- Launch of EMF Co-ordinators network : October

2000

Objective : EWCs should become real European

Information and Consultation bodies, with trade union

(EMF) influence, presence, support and guidance

How : appointing an EMF Co-ordinator for every

existing EWC

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

10

2. The EMF Co-ordinators : role

- Must know what happens in their EWC

- Support and guide for EWC members

- Known by EWC members (presence at meetings ?)

- First contact for other unions, trade union contact for

company

- Secure the European approach of the EWC, for

example in case of restructuring

- European mandate, not a national representative

- Link between EWC (members) and EMF

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

11

2. The EMF Co-ordinators : role EMF

- Support EMF Co-ordinators

- Training

- Continuous flow of information on EMF activities,

decisions and activities

- Update list of EMF Co-ordinators

32

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

12

2. The EMF Co-ordinators : benefits / value

- One (EMF) approach towards existing EWCs

- Link between Trade Union and Employee

representation in EWC

- Important for sectoral activities, but also for EMF

policies in other fields (collective bargaining,

industrial policy)

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

13

2. The EMF Co-ordinators : lessons for future

- Convincing EWCs that the EMF Co-ordinator should

be involved

- EMF Co-ordinator is European mandate, not a

extension of national mandate

- Not all EWCs have a EMF Co-ordinator as yet

- Guaranteeing that the EMF Co-ordinator has the

necessary time available to execute their tasks

(co-operation needed from national trade unions)

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

14

3. From information / consultation to negotiation :

EWCs as a step towards real workers’ involvement

3.1. From consultation to negotiation

- Current definition of consultation in EWC Directive

- Prior consultation = negotiation

- EWC right to deliver a ‘second opinion’

- Trade union challenges linked with prior consultation

- EWC experiences

33

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

15

3. From information / consultation to negotiation :

EWCs as a step towards real workers’ involvement

3.2. EWC / Trade Union negotiation at company level

- EWC as a platform for European agreements

- Topics : gender equality, vocational training, how to deal

with transnational restructuring, disabled workers

- EMF policy : Trade unions (EMF) should take the leading

role in this

- Important role for EMF Co-ordinator

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

16

3. From information / consultation to negotiation :

EWCs as a step towards real workers’ involvement

3.3. Internal EMF Mandate Procedure for negotiations at

European company level

- Procedure to give the EMF a mandate to negotiate at European

company level

- Mandate to initiate negotiations and to conclude agreements

- Example : AREVA

- EU Commission initiative to create a legal framework for negotiations

/ agreements at European Company level

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

17

3. From information / consultation to negotiation :

EWCs as a step towards real workers’ involvement

3.4. EMF activities on company restructuring

- Co-ordination of trade union response

- Numerous cases of trade union meetings and co-

ordination

- Growing challenge

- Role for EMF Co-ordinator

34

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

18

3. From information / consultation to negotiation :

EWCs as a step towards real workers’ involvement

3.5. The 10 EMF principles for transnational restructuring

- Corporate restructuring is a permanent feature

- Reality of social dumping and downward spiral on salaries

/ working conditions

- Transnational restructuring needs a European Trade

Union / EWC response

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

19

3. From information / consultation to negotiation :

EWCs as a step towards real workers’ involvement

3.5. The 10 EMF principles for transnational restructuring

Principles : e.g.

- Set up of European Trade Union Co-ordination group

- Develop a common European platform

- Envisage to negotiate common and acceptable solutions

and to conclude a European Framework agreement

- Envisage cross - border actions

- A binding European strategy for all

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

20

4. Participation at board level

- EMF : participation at board level creates additional

chances for workers’ representatives to influence

company decisions

- EMF Congresses 1999 and 2003

- Participation at national level under pressure =

pressure on European Social Model

35

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

21

4. Participation at Board level

4.1. Participation ‘avant-la-lettre’ : Arcelor

- Three Board representatives

- Before transposition of SE Directive

- Challenge : creating a link between EWC, Trade

Unions, EMF Co-ordinator and Board representatives

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

22

4. Participation at Board level

4.2. The European Company (SE) and the EMF Guidelines

- EMF Guidelines on SE (2003) : important choices on

participation, trade union presence

- EMF SE Guidelines = common European platform on

participation and SE

- Important political exercise

- SE since 2004 : only three in metal industry

(Elcoteq, MAN B&W Diesel, Plannsee)

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

23

5. EMF Company Policy 2007 – 2011

5.1. European Works Councils as an engine for

European Information and Consultation rights

5.1.1. Setting up of new EWCs

- Focus on target companies without EWCs

- Renegotiation of existing EWC agreements to

improve quality

- New EU member states

3�

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

24

5. EMF Company Policy 2007 – 2011

5.1. European Works Councils as an engine for

European Information and Consultation rights

5.1.2. Operation existing EWCs

- EMF Co-ordinator as a support for EWC

- EWC common demands

- Training and Activities towards EMF Co-ordinator and

EWC Chairs.

- Role of economic expertise

- Exchange of best practice

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

25

5. EMF Company Policy 2007 – 2011

5.2. Restructuring and change at European Company level

- Building up good practice on EMF Principles on how to

deal with Company restructuring

- Regular critical evaluation on joint European Policy

- Promotion of European framework agreements

- European Trade Union Co-ordination meetings

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

26

5. EMF Company Policy 2007 – 2011

5.3. Developing negotiation results at European

Company level

- More social dialogue with European companies

- Towards transnational negotiations at European

company level : EFAs, …

- Corporate Social Responsibility : EWCs as a platform

to launch International Framework Agreements

37

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

27

5. EMF Company Policy 2007 – 2011

5.4. Participation as a key to a higher level of workers’

involvement

5.5.Trade Union organisation at company level

5.6. European legislation

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

28

6. CONCLUSIONS

- Company policy is one of the main topics for the

European Trade Union movement

- EWCs are key players in this policy

- Need for higher common approaches in cases of

transnational restructuring

- From Consultation to Negotiation : new challenge

EMF - Brussels, 22 November

2006

29

6. CONCLUSIONS

- Company policy is one of the main topics for

European Trade Union movement

- EWCs are key players in this policy

- Need for higher common approaches in cases of

transnational restructuring

- From Consultation to Negotiation : new challenge

> Thanks to our 6000 EWC members in the EMF,

our 280 EWC Chairs and EMF Co-ordinators !

38

Maureen Kearney “Areva: Equality in the Workplace”

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.20061 1S G N

AREVA EWC

EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE

23.11.2006

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.20062 2S G N

The agreement was negotiated between the EMF,

Areva management and the special negotiating body

made up of the Select Committee mandated by their

national unions.

The EWC accompanied this agreement from its

conception. The delegates were informed of it’s

progress all along the way. The partnership between

the EMF whose guidance and advice were invaluable,

Areva management, the EWC it’s Select Committee

made this experience of working on this agreement

rewarding and enriching.

39

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.20063 3S G N

It shows that with willingness and determination that

an ambitious agreement on “Equality in the

Workplace” at European level can be put into place

for the benefit of employees in the thirteen countries

of the Areva EWC.

A special mention for the constructive nature in which

the debates were conducted. The working relationship

between the 3 parties enabled us to progress well in a

respectful and harmonious environment for the

ultimate benefit of all employees impacted by the

agreement.

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.20064 4S G N

Put into place a questionnaire on gender equality and

disabled people which was submitted to all sites to

establish the current situation within Areva

companies throughout Europe (June to December

2005).

The questionnaire treated issues such as training,

recruitment, salaries, percentage of women and

disabled people in the workplace etc.

What we did (1)

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.20065 5S G N

What we did (2)

A series of graphs was then created to compare and

identify best practices and potential weaknesses in

order to have a working basis to enable us to

negotiate the agreement (graphs presented to the

EWC in March 2006).

Several sites in Europe were visited to observe first

hand best practices in the integration of disabled

persons, e.g. Melox, France and Monchengladbach

Germany.

40

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.20067 7S G N

To obtain an ambitious, pragmatic and workable

agreement applicable throughout the 13 countries of

the EWC.

To advance equality in the workplace with respect to

national regulations and laws.

Objective

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.20068 8S G N

The agreement is divided into 2 parts:

Gender Equality:

Recruitment

Career Development

Training

Equal Pay

Provisions for Parenthood

Contents (1)

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.20066 6S G N

4 meetings took place between the EMF, Areva

management and the negotiating body (June to

November 2006).

Negotiation of the agreement

4�

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.20069 9S G N

Contents (2)

Disabled Persons:

Awareness and communication

Recruitment and access to employment

Integration

Training

Adaptation of workstations and accessibility

Partnerships and External relations

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.200610 10S G N

Key objectives for implementation of agreement

Communication and awareness training

Social dialogue and monitoring

Local action plans

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.200611 11S G N

Where do we go now (1)

Presentation by the EMF to its affiliate unions

between now and end of November.

Presentation to the EWC delegates 16.11.06

42

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.200613 13S G N

Where do we go now (3)

An annual review of both the national and local action

plans to access continuously progress and

performance.

Setting up of monitoring committee within the coming

year to oversee the active implementation of the

agreement throughout European companies within

Areva.

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.200614 14S G N

Conclusion

The EMF have indicated that this is one of the best

agreements at European level that they have been

involved in negotiating.

It is the responsibility of each and everyone of us to

ensure that this agreement serves the people it is

intended to represent.

Areva EWC – Equality in the workplace 23.11.200612 12S G N

Where do we go now (2)

Communication and awareness training of both HR

managers and employee representatives.

Visit of specific sites by Select Committee members

and Areva Human Resources staff to share the spirit

and philosophy of the agreement.

43

Pierre Coletti “Arcelor: Health and Safety Convention”

Pierre Coletti

FGMM-CFDT

Former European Works Council Representative

Arcelor

Arcelor EWC

Partner and actor in the safety approach

Our aim: to set an example for safety in the steel sector

44

For many companies, including European groups, the philosophy behind

their approach to safety is as follows:

Comply with the law of the country where my production site is located.

Respect my obligations, including ‘social’ obligations.

Arcelor’s Global Health and Safety Policy

"Arcelor is committed to the sustainable development of steel in a socially

responsible way.

Arcelor’s Global Health and Safety policy, in partnership with the employees’

representatives, expresses this ambition and supports the long-term

development of the company."

Extract from the statement by Guy Dollé, 18th March 2002

A few basic ‘rules’

Europe has structured:

social dialogue

economic debate

workers’ participation in the life of industrial groups

in line with national models for company consultation.

This is the structure of European Works Councils.

The objectives are visibility and transversal coherence

Europe has done very little to structure the safety discussion in industrial groups

This is one of the EWCs' prerogatives.

(It is not consistent with European countries’ national models,

which are based on two distinct legal structures)

That is the situation we have to bear in mind.

45

Agreement on the Arcelor European Works Council (2002)

The agreement signed on 27th May determines the areas of responsibility of

Arcelor's European Works Council.

There are a number of these.

One such area is monitoring safety.

Extract:

"The subjects to be dealt with are: health and safety at work (…)

The EWC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SUBJECTS THAT FALL

WITHIN THE COMPETENCE OF EACH COUNTRY'S NATIONAL

WORKFORCE REPRESENTATIVE BODIES"

The whole safety approach is based on legislative structures at national level.

Matters can be discussed, but no decisions can be taken.

In 2002, Arcelor complied with the general ideas on the safety

approach within the industry.

However, a broader view was taken in the context of sustainable

development.

Companies have a basic choice regarding their policy view of the safety approach.

Arcelor, a leading steel producer, views its product is part of the development

of our civilisation.

Steel is everywhere in our everyday lives.

Steel cannot be seen as a life-threatening material.

Safety is linked to steel manufacturing.

The group rejects the philosophy of

"We do what we can with what we have".

4�

Luxemburg – 9th September 2002

In the name of the Board of Directors:

"There is no higher priority than safety“

Guy Dollé

Analysis of the Board of Directors' meeting,14th November 2002:

"Too many fatalities, too many deaths caused by accidents"

Luxemburg – 5 December 2002

The European Works Council of the Arcelor Group issued the following

statement:

"Work safety is our top priority.

In 2003, the Arcelor European Works Council will hold a Symposium.

It will have as its objective to examine the points of view of the experts from trade

unions

and management in order to make propositions of improvement in the field of

work safety."

Guy Dollé, Chairman

Michael Breidbach, Vice-Chairman

representing the employees

BILBAO 2004

Five topics featured on the agenda:

1. Prevention of occupational diseases

2. Organisation of preventive measures against industrial risks

3. Safety training policies

4. Outsourcing

5. Implementation of European directives

2002 – The safety situation

In 2002, in parallel with the merger it was undergoing, Arcelor had a

dramatic year in terms of safety.

There were 24 fatal accidents in 7 countries:

France, Italy, Spain, Luxemburg, Brazil, Germany, Belgium

The explosion of the coking plant in Liège and its global media coverage

signalled the start of a period of deep reflection.

The limits of the system were reached when the Group’s production sites

were unable to respond to a situation that called into question its fundamental

value - its very raison d’être.

For Arcelor, this value is safety.

47

Immediate results

via mobilisation

by taking action

Half as many fatal accidents in 2003

Trend in the number of fatal accidents: Arcelor – Joint Venturer 2002 / 2003

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Jan 0

2

Feb 0

2

Mar

02

Apr

02

May 0

2

June 0

2

Jul 02

Aug 0

2

Sep 0

2

Oct 02

Nov 0

2

Dec 0

2

Jan 0

3

Feb 0

3

Mar

03

Apr

03

May 0

3

June 0

3

Jul 03

Aug 0

3

Sep 0

3

Oct 03

Nov 0

3

Dec 0

3

Month

Nu

mb

er

of

fata

l accid

en

ts

2002 2003

Method of analysis

For four days, employee representatives - managers from all sites and

countries where Arcelor has units – discussed proposals:

through dialogue

through an analysis of current practices

based on a shared commitment

48

12 specific actions adopted by Arcelor

The implementation of the Bilbao proposals

Action 1

Following up on the Bilbao Convention

The difficulty of reconciling the European action with the joint action taken by

employers and employees or hierarchical action taken by individual sites has

already been addressed.

The European Works Council wanted to keep tabs on the feedback sent to

individual sites that had been represented at the Convention as well as to sites

that were not there.

The objective was not only to check up on the reproduction of data, but also

to measure the results in terms of actions taken.

Bilbao Convention, February 2004

2003 was characterised by major progress, especially with regard to

fatal accidents, yet the tools were the same and the people were the same.

What, then, lay behind this improvement?

Pressure exerted by the Group, via mobilisation, is one possible explanation:

action must be constant and always subject to pressure. The general management

responded to Bilbao by adopting 12 specific actions.

The first of these 12 specific actions was to ensure the permanency of safety-

related actions by establishing a standing Health and Safety Steering Committee,

whose responsibilities would be specified in due course.

The challenge expressed in the conclusion of the Bilbao Convention was clear:

the 12 actions had to be optimised and the joint handling of safety by the

employer and employees needed to be legitimised.

49

Decision 2

Establishment of a standing Safety Monitoring Committee with

powers to take initiatives

Shared chairmanship of this new body

A vision of the future

Analysis of reports on 12 Arcelor decisions

Participation of workforce representatives in working groups

Specialisation per safety aspect to be considered

Drafting of fresh proposals and supporting material

Involvement in drawing up Arcelor’s 2005 safety plan

Follow up on the approach “Bilbao Health and Safety Communication Agreement”15th September 2004

1. Number of responsesa) for each country

Number of sendings Number of responsesGermany 10 5Austria 1 0Belgium 23 7France 16 9Italy 45 18Luxemburg 12 9Poland 1 0Sweden 1 0Switzerland 1 0UK 4 1

b) for each sectorNumber of sendings Number of responses

DTT 40 13FCS 35 18LCS 21 11Sector 5 3 1Stainless 22 7

Approximately 40 % of the sites who received the documentation concerning the follow up of Bilbau sent the form with their response.

These results which have clearly progressed in relation to the analysis made at the end of July remain insufficient

Total: 50/121

Total: 50/121

50

A few shared actions

Transversal information regarding - good and bad practices

- accidents and incidents

The tool consists of the experience feedback (‘REX’ sheets)

Falling from a height

Transversal problem, very strict decisions by the

general management

Follow-up on any fatal accident

Electrical risks

Outsourcing

And our general task of safety monitoring!

Other action

Annual evaluation by the EWC

An annual evaluation of the work is carried out.

A presentation of the committee’s priorities is discussed at the EWC’s

preparatory meeting.

Deputy and full members participate in drafting an EWC document on safety.

That document is presented to the general management at the plenary

meeting, giving rise to a second discussion involving employers and

employees, and thus forms the EWC’s policy platform regarding safety.

Gilles BIAU Executive Vice-President HR

Jean-Claude MULLER Senior Vice President Health & Safety

5�

15/04/2006

ARCELOR Health & Safety

15/04/2006

ARCELOR Health & Safety

At this stage, we can see what the results are in terms of safety indicators

for the period 2002 – 2005.

It is clear that the safety mindset in the group as a whole and the

complementary and concerted action by the actors, managerial staff, workforce

representatives and the staff themselves were responsible for the significant

improvement in the results achieved.

Perhaps some observations on the results:

2002 CRISIS!

2003 Mobilisation via the Bilbao action, a clear improvement

2004 Maybe premature satisfaction, specific actions, falls

Electrical risks, intervention by general management

2005 Improvement since 2003 consolidated

52

15/04/2006

ARCELOR Health & Safety

Arcelor - Accidents with lost timeAccidents with lost of time (Arcelor Employees)

Extrapolation Arcelor accidents with lost of time

2002 2003 2004 2005 20060

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

The figure for the number of accidents is a GLOBAL figure.

It includes:

Arcelor staff

Contractors

External companies (new facilities)

Concern at all accidents being put on the same footing

15/04/2006

ARCELOR Health & Safety

9,0

5,8

3,7

2,4 2,29 2,3

0,0

5,0

10,0

Arcelor - Frequency rateFrequency rate accident - Arcelor Group

Fr acc. sliding 12 month average (end of 3/2000)

2002 2003 2004 2005 sliding 12 monthaverage(end of 3/2006)

2006 (1-3)

53

Situation: An ambitious objective: to reduce serious accidents by 50%.

Potential risk: no further progress being made.

Method: Mobilisation: each person to take responsibility for other’s safety and

their own

Means: Participation and concerted action.

But we can do better!

The EWC would like to see a bold, ambitious safety plan.

Plan presented to the EWC in 2005; jointly owned by the Safety

Monitoring Committee and all representatives.

A multiannual plan for 2006 – 2009.

Safety objective: reduce serious accidents by 50%

Risk: slowing down in progress

Put together a safety mobilisation plan motivated by the desire to

guarantee everyone’s safety

Decision: World Safety Day

54

And now…

The merger of Arcelor and Mittal

What does the future hold for the Arcelor safety approach?

That is the current burning issue, watch this space over the

next few months…

Action decided by the general management via the EWC

Awareness-raising campaign and action for all Arcelor sites:

from the smallest to the largest, from Luxembourg to the remotest parts

of the world

Maximum participation by all employees, all 100,000 of them!

A joint approach with local social partners, but also a co-ordinated approach by

the general management and Safety Monitoring Committee by implementing

partnership, supervision and support on the sites

Involvement of subcontractors in the local approach

55

Workers’Involvementin MultinationalCompanies: AChallenge fortheTradeUnions intheMetalworkingSector

22nd-23rd November 2006

International Trade Union House, Brussels

1stEMFCompanyPolicyConference

This publication is supported by the European Commission

European Metalworkers’ FederationInternational Trade Union House (ITUH)Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 5 (bte 10)B-1210 Brussels

Tel.:+32/(0) 2/227 10 10 Fax:+32/(0)2/217 59 63

E-mail: emf@emf-fem.org Website: www.emf-fem.org