European sector social dialogue: Staff working document

The Commission published the Staff Working Document on the functioning and potential of the European sector social dialogue.

This document aims to take stock of the main achievements of the European sectoral social dialogue and to review the functioning of the European sectoral social dialogue committees. It highlights the dynamics, outcomes and social impact of the committees’ work since 1998. It identifies possible improvements with a view to extending the scope and quality of the consultation and negotiation processes. (.../ ...) [Full story]

MEP’s green light ban on illegal timber – Law aims to reduce deforestation

The European Parliament approved on 7 July the agreement reached with the Council on the EU legislation to ban the sale of illegally-harvested timber. The new law is a step towards ensuring that illegally harvested timber and wood products cannot be sold on the EU market.

EMCEF and CEPI, Confederation of European Paper Industry, expressed their common views prior to the vote in the Parliament. The social partners approved a joint position on the draft Regulation “laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the EU market”. This position paper is one achievement of the new Social Dialogue in the paper sector. [Full story]

European Commission and Council of Europe kick off joint talks on EU's accession to the Convention on Human Rights

Official talks started on 7 July on the European Union's accession to the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission discussed at a meeting in Strasbourg how to move the process forward so that employees and citizens can swiftly benefit from stronger and more coherent fundamental rights protection in Europe.

The EU’s accession to the ECHR is required under Article 6 of the Lisbon Treaty and foreseen by Article 59 of the ECHR as amended by the Protocol 14. [Full story]

8^th General Assembly - Paris 2010

On 30 June and 1 July, some 130 participants from across Europe gathered in Paris for EMCEF's 8^th General Assembly. All participants appreciated the warm welcome offered to them by the French affiliates.

The main topics of discussion during this general assembly were on the creation of a new European Industrial Trade Union Federation and on the motions submitted by the EMCEF statutory committees. [Full story]

Social partners’ answers to the EU consultation on Working Time Directive

The ETUC, BusinessEurope and the UEAPME have given their answers to the first stage consultation on working time launched by the European Commission on March. Their positions have hardly moved from the earlier.

The ETUC will only review the 1993 directive if the opt-out is removed. ETUC thinks that the legislation isn't obsolete, even if safeguards, adjusted to new forms of labor, are needed. The ETUC stresses that protection against long and irregular working hours must continue to be the main goal of the WTD. The Employers' organizations, for their part, are calling for more flexibility, precisely because of these new forms of labor. The possibility to opt-out is crucial to companies. BusinessEurope considers that EU intervention isn't necessary for working time issues. [Full story]

Recent ETUC publications: 9 training modules for building capacity within the ETUC

The ETUC has produced a series of 9 training modules which will provide an important tool for building capacity within the ETUC, by enabling workers and trade unionists to understand the challenges ahead and to accept cultural, social and political differences more readily.

These training modules are intended to offer a short introduction to each subject for a trade union audience, and each will have an educational activity that can be used on an individual basis or also be used in the classroom or with groups of members. They can also be used as a short background document for presentations. The training modules are available in 7 languages. [Full story]

European mobilisation - 29 September 2010

European mobilisation to say "No to austerity – Priority on jobs and growth" - Wednesday 29 September 2010, Brussels.

The ETUC Executive Committee decided to organise in the framework of the European action day a major Euro-demonstration on Wednesday, 29 September, in Brussels to demonstrate to governments and the European authorities the unity of the European trade union movement and its opposition to any repetition of the disastrous policies of the 1930s. [Full story]

European mining: Promote development of own raw materials

Budapest Declaration of the Social partners in the European mining industry to promote exploitation of indigenous raw materials

Participants of the conference organised in Budapest within the framework of the EU project "The future of miners - the role of the social partners" (VS/2009/0459) passed a joint position on June 12, 2010. [Full story]

ETUC asks for an Emergency Tripartite Social Summit

The ETUC expresses its very serious concern in a letter to the EU about the severe social consequences of austerity measures being taken in certain member states of the EU (Greece, Spain and Portugal) and about conditions decided by the EU recently to help countries in economic distress.

The ETUC is asking for an extraordinary emergency Tripartite Social Summit to consider these matters. [Full story]

Pulp and paper mills strike is over

After 10 days, the strike in Sweden ended with an agreement, just in time before the strike whould have been extended.

All important issues for the Pappers' members were solved in the agreement. [Full story]

ECJ ruling on part & fixed-term work and parental leave agreements

The ECJ’s preliminary ruling on the implementation of part-time work, fixed-term work and parental leave agreements.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave its preliminary ruling judgment in the Zentralbetriebsrat der Landeskrankenhäuser Tirols case on 22 April 2010. The case C-486/08 concerned the implementation of European framework agreements on part-time work, fixed-term work and parental leave. [Full story]

EMCEF-EMF demonstration Brussels - 22.4.2010

EU Commission meets with high representatives of the metal industry

High representatives from the European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers' Federation (EMCEF), the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) met with the European Commission today. They collectively presented the main concerns on the current situation of the metal, mining and chemical industry, where they stressed the importance of the impact of climate change and energy prices on the industrial sectors they represent, as well as the issue of raw materials. During this constructive meeting, the Commission took note of their concerns and confirmed that intensive work was being carried to find appropriate solutions that aim to secure Europe's competitiveness while securing jobs. In this respect both sides agreed that the competitiveness of Europe's industry is a very important condition needed to guarantee employment in Europe. [Full story]

Strike at 6 pulp and paper mills in Sweden and overtime ban

Since April 12 there is an overtime ban in the paper sector and since April 16 strike at 6 mills.

The reason for this action is to establish constructive negotiations about Pappers demands. [Full story]

Protection against long and irregular working hours: main goal of Working Time Directive revision

The Commission started on 24 March a new round of first stage consultation on the revision of the working time directive in accordance with Article 154(2) TFEU. The social partners have six weeks to make their views known to the Commission - that is by 19 May 2010. This consultation comes after previous attempts to revisit the existing directive reached an impasse in April 2009.

The ETUC will ask a delay of a few extra weeks – the ETUC Executive council meets only on 1-2 June. The first draft ETUC position will be discussed in the Social Policy and Legislation working group on 27 April. [Full story]

Hungary: General Assembly of the MOL Bányász Szakszervezet

The General Assembly of the MOL Bányász Szakszervezet, the trade union of MOL oil- and gas industry workers of Hungary, was held in Budapest on 27 March.

The Congress elected László Biri as the new president. He follows József Kudela who now has retired. [Full story]

EMCEF-EMF call to action: non-ferrous industries - 22.4.2010

EMCEF and EMF launch a call to action with regard to workers and employment in the European non-ferrous industries. A demonstration is planned in Brussels on 22 April 2010.

Time to act to save our metals industries! Time for a global level playing field! [Full story]

Commission unveils workplan for 2010 and beyond

Tackling the economic crisis and its social impact are the Barroso II Commission's top priorities for the next year and beyond. The Commission’s proposals on social issues do not please the Party of European Socialist. The work plan (COM 31.3.2010 135 final) was branded by the socialists as "a job-loss programme". The centre-right European People’s Party, however, welcomed the Commission’s priorities.

For the first time, the Commission published this year a work programme listing a non-exhaustive number of initiatives under consideration for the years to come years, covering the entire mandate (2010-2014). The Commission intends to present proposals on education, climate action, energy, pensions, employment and social inclusion in the coming years. The first measures, to be presented in 2010, primarily concern the EU single market and reform of the financial sector. [Full story]

Increased cooperation between and EMF, EMCEF & ETUF:TCL

The Presidents and General Secretaries of EMF, EMCEF and ETUF:TCL met in Berlin on 25 March 2010 to examine how to follow up the action programmes and motions adopted by their respective Congresses concerning the creation of a single European industrial trade union federation.

Several elements in particular - European integration, globalisation, the crisis, and the merger of national federations - indicate that the EMF, EMCEF and ETUF:TCL will make progress via much stronger cooperation, etc., resulting in the foundation of a united European trade union federation representing more than eight million workers in manufacturing industries. [Full story]

France: 4^th Congress of FNME-CGT

The French CGT union of Mines and Energy (FNME-CGT), affiliate of EMCEF, held its 4th Congress from 22-25 March 2010.

Virginia Gensel, 41, was elected secretary general of the CGT federation of mines and energy. [Full story]

UK Print Pay Agreement - BPIF 'No Mandate' for 2010 pay offer?

Unite is to urge its members working under the BPIF National Print Agreement to push for a 3.7% wage increase from their employers, based on the current UK Retail Price Index (RPI).

The union's call to action comes after the BPIF (UK print employers federation) said they had "no mandate" to negotiate a pay increase for 2010. [Full story]

Supreme Court Finland: Fujitsu to pay EUR 3M to dismissed employees

The Supreme Court of Finland gave its judgment in Fujitsu Siemens case on 9 March 2010.

The Supreme Court hold that Fujitsu had breached the Finnish Co-operation within the Undertakings Act when the mother company had made a decision which led to closing a daughter company's plant before negotiations in that daughter company had been concluded. Fujitsu has to pay almost EUR 3 million to employees concerned as indemnification. [Full story]

Switzerland: Demonstration against the dismantling of Clariant

Struggle together to maintain the jobs!

Swiss EMCEF affiliate UNIA reports that Clariant CEO, Kottmann and his acolytes are aiming to relocate in one blow much of the production site in Muttenz, Switzerland. [Full story]

Limitation of Trade Union Rights in Romania.

Two EMCEF affiliates recently pointed out a threat against trade union rights and freedom of organization in Romania because of a change of national law.

The law aims at imposing the same restrictions on labour union management than those for public figures, and this while trade unions are not funded with public or taxpayers' money. The legislation goes in against the democratic right of workers to organize, without the politicians and the state meddling in its affaires. [Full story]

ETUC and EMCEF join REACH and CLP Regulations information drive

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European Mine Chemical and Energy workers’ Federation (EMCEF) have joined forces to help push an information campaign towards firms that market chemicals. The campaign run by the European Commission and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) aims to call European firms’ attention, especially SMEs, to their obligations under the REACH and CLP Regulations on chemicals.

REACH says that industrial operators must register any substances they manufacture or import in quantities above one tonne a year with the new European Chemicals Agency. The CLP (Classification, Labelling, Packaging) Regulation says they have to notify ECHA of the classification and labelling of all hazardous substances they place on the market, no matter what the production volume. [Full story]

Total dismantles refineries, French government indifferent?

After talks broke down between the Unions and the Total management on Sunday, there finally seems to be a small breakthrough, as the management has called for a special works council meeting on 8 March.

The Unions will demand firm guarantees on job security for the employees of Total and the sustainability of the plant of Total Flanders, confirming their position against the move of the refinery. [Full story]

Solidarity with steelworkers

Canadian steelworkers locked in dispute with an "autocratic" Brazilian transnational have praised the solidarity that workers around the world have rendered since 3,500 miners downed tools in mid-July.

One of the most successful campaigns of its kind has attracted 8,000 protest messages from across the globe sent to Roger Agnelli, CEO of Vale Inco. [Full story]

Prepared and protected workers at core of global climate justice

Fighting climate change will fail to receive public support if there are no measures ensuring social justice. Long-term employment policies and sufficient investment are necessary to ensure a smooth transition to a low carbon economy.

This was the clear joint message today from trade unions representing workers in the metal, chemical, energy and mining sectors together with the Party of European Socialists. [Full story]

France: 49th Congress of the CGT

The French CGT held its 49^th Congress from 7-11 December 2009.

A final resolution was adopted titled: The hope and ambition for better days as of now. [Full story]

Slovakia - trade union merger

On 25 November 2009 two Slovak trade unions - Trade Union of Chemistry of the Slovak Republic and Slovak Trade Union of Energy Workers - have held their congresses and took the decision to merge.

On 26 November 2009 a merger congress was organised and the following representatives were elected for the next 5-year election period: Juraj Blahak, President; Marian Bananka, 1st vice-president; Andrej Buch, 2nd vice-president. [Full story]

Austria: new industrial union PRO-GE

On 26 November 2009, under the motto "Self-confident, combative, in solidarity", as a result of the merger between the Metal, Textile and Food-Processing Workers' Union (GMTN) with the Chemical Workers' Union (GdC), the new industrial manufacturing union PRO-GE (Die Produktionsgewerkschaft) was formed in Vienna.

Uniting more than 250,000 members, PRO-GE is the largest industrial blue collar workers' union in Austria. PRO-GE will negotiate some 140 sectoral collective agreements in 16 different sectors. [Full story]

Paperworkers strike against Sappi

Workers at Sappi paper mills in Finland (Kirkniemi) and the Netherlands (Nijmegen and Maastricht) have gone on strike to protest recent job cuts there.

The trade unions in the Netherlands, FNV Bondgenoten and CNV Bedrijvenbond, protest the poor conditions offered in the ongoing collective bargaining round. The unions organised 24-hour strikes, which got over 90% participation, and more actions are expected this week. [Full story]

CEPI agrees to start European Paper Sector Social dialogue

The Social Partners in the European Paper sector, CEPI and EMCEF, have developed joint activities during the past years.

An additional step has now been taken in this process of improved cooperation: CEPI has formally accepted to apply for a recognized Social Partner Dialogue in the European Paper Sector. [Full story]

Campaign against the EU-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

At the initiative of UNITE, the EMCEF Presidium at its meeting of 2 July 2009 passed a resolution calling for the support of the ETUC to the "Justice for Colombia" campaign against the signing of an EU-Colombia free trade agreement. "Justice for Colombia" is the TUC-backed coalition of 40 national trade unions that supports the Colombian people and trade union movement in their struggle for peace with social justice.

Since this trade agreement is currently being negotiatied despite earlier calls against it, EMCEF, in coordination with ICEM, invites once again its affiliates to join the "Justice for Colombia" campaign and take action. [Full story]

Hungary: Székely elected VDSZ president.

The 2-day Congress of the VDSZ, the Federation of Chemical Workers of Hungary, ended today in Budapest.

The Congress elected Tamás Székely as the new president. He follows György Paszternák who now has retired. [Full story]

EMCEF mourns the loss of Neil Kearney.

It was a big shock to hear that Neil Kearney, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF) passed away while on a mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

It is indeed deeply saddening to know that this indefatigable defender of workers’ and children’s rights, who spent more than 20 years fighting for them on so many fronts, eventually paid with his life and died of a heart attack far away from his family. He was, and will stay in the view of many, a deeply generous, tenacious and committed international trade unionist, who helped millions of workers and their families live in more decent conditions. [Full story]

PFEPPRCI protests deal BP and Hellenic Refineries

The outsourcing of the Accounting and Technical departments, initiated by BP Greece SA Oil Trading and Mobil Oil Hellas, and the intention to terminate the contract by BP Hellas is unacceptable to the Greek EMCEF affiliate, the Pan Hellenic federation of employees in Petroleum products - Refineries & Chemical industry (PFEPPRCI).

Over the last ten years the outsourcing and transferring of the Accounting and Technical departments has been going on from one company to another to yet another. Initially the social plans offered to the workers were identical to the one applied by BP Greece SA Oil Trading and Mobil Oil Hellas. The latest dealings, however, whereby BP Hellas intends to end the contracts and new people will be employed, is a way to circumvent the original conditions and to deny the workers their rights. [Full story]

Social partners in Gas Sector warn European Commission

Press Release (Brussels, 5 November 2009)

Demographic Change and Skills to be taken seriously when developing European energy policy [Full story]

HIDROSIND petition on Romanian government’s restructuring plans

On 19 October 2009 EMCEF met a delegation of HIDROSIND, the EMCEF affiliate representing Romanian hydro-energy workers. The delegates came to Brussels in order to seek EMCEF’s support in their protest against the restructuring plans in the energy sector of the Romanian Government: the merger of the local energy producers into two major energy companies – Electrica and Energetica. On 23 October, the government issued a decree that allows shareholders to vote on the proposed merger.

HIDROSIND considers the Government’s plan to be a violation of the common European energy policy. The plan would abandon the current structure that compels state energy producers to sell their entire electricity production on the stock market. [Full story]

Maria Helena André appointed Portuguese Labour Minister

Maria Helena André, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), has been appointed Minister for Labour and Social Protection of Portugal.

Following the elections in September 2009, outgoing Prime Minister José Socrates has just formed his new government and has offered the labour and social protection portfolio to Maria Helena André, who has accepted. [Full story]

Cut emissions and transform jobs

The transition to a low-carbon economy must guarantee employment and result in the development of new, decent jobs, say participants at global industrial unions’ meeting on climate change.

On October 14 and 15, the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF), International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) and the European Mine, Chemical and Energy workers' Federation (EMCEF) organised a conference in Bad Orb, Germany entitled "Cutting Emissions, Transforming Jobs". [Full story]

UK chemical workers protest in Barcelona against 'callous' sackings by Artenius

Angry Unite members employed by chemical firm Artenius at the Wilton site on Teesside will confront shareholders at a board meeting in Barcelona, Spain, this Saturday (8 August) about the callous way they were told their jobs were going and that they would receive only the state basic in redundancy pay.

[...] Artenius is now in administration meaning a further 220 UK chemical jobs are to go. Unite has warned previously that the Artenius job losses could be the first in a runaway reaction across the UK chemical sector prompted by the closure of the Wilton site. [Full story]

France: Groupe Total: another work-related accident

EMCEF affiliate FNIC CGT has alerted us to yet again another work-related accident at the Groupe TOTAL. This is the 6^th such occurrence this year.

• 4 August: Petrochemical plant at Gonfreville: three workers are seriously hurt. [Full story]

Social security coordination: revised EU rules

The Council of Ministers and European Parliament have approved a legislative package on social security coordination in the EU.

These new rules will pave the way for a modernisation of the system for coordinating national social security regimes in the EU as from March 2010. [Full story]

Parental leave: Commission proposes increase

The European Commission has on 30 July 2009 adopted a proposal to increase the existing right to take parental leave from three to four months per parent and apply it to all employees, regardless of their type of contract.

If adopted by Member States in the Council, the proposal would give legal effect to a recent agreement negotiated by European trades unions and employers' organisations and signed on 18 June 2009. The proposal complements the Commission's recent package of measures to improve work-life balance for Europeans. [Full story]

Belgium: Strike at two Saint-Gobain plants

Since 2 July, workers at Saint-Gobain Glass and Saint-Gobain Sekurit are on strike. EMCEF fully supports the workers' action and deplores the management's short-term vision and lack of social responsibility.

On 9 February 2009 Saint Gobain had announced during special works council meetings of Saint Gobain Glass, the dismissal of 140 workers, and of Saint Gobain Sekurit, the dismissal of 101 workers. The multinational was using the crisis to restructure, with hundreds of workers being laid off, while distributing 1 billion euro to shareholders. [Full story]

Italy - ENI EWC statement on Italian national strike

An ordinary annual meeting of the European Works Council of ENI with the company management took place on 22 - 23 June in Lisbon. The EWC took note of the concern expressed by the Italian delegates and Italian trade unions on the situation of the chemical sector in Italy. There is a need for a commitment by ENI for a more efficient strategy of sustainable development in all of its sectors.

The Italian trade union federations called for a national strike on 24 June in the chemical sector, which includes ENI, to demand for a more adequate company policy and industrial strategy. [Full story]

European industry federation support for today’s protest action regarding sacked workers at Lindsey (UK)

UPDATE 26 July - Deal reached - Reinstatement of the workers sacked...

EMF, EFBWW and EMCEF, the European federations representing energy and construction workers, fully support the UK unions’ protest demonstration outside the Lindsey oil refinery in Immingham today. [Full story]

Parental leave: revised Framework Agreement

The European social partners signed on 18 June 2009 a revised Framework Agreement increasing the duration of parental leave from three to four months per parent.

The Agreement applies to all employees regardless of their type of contract.  It is the result of six months' negotiations between the European social partners (ETUC, BUSINESSEUROPE, CEEP and UEAPME) and reflects the changes that have occurred in society and on the labour market since the first Framework Agreement on parental leave was signed in 1995. Vladimír Špidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities attended the official signing this morning.

Italy - Chemical Industry: National strike on 24 June

EMCEF Italian affiliates Filcem-Cgil, Femca-Cisl, and Uilcem-Uil are organizing a national strike on 24 June 2009. Rallies will be held in Milan and Rome at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Italian Council, at Federchimica (the employers federation) and at ENI.

The Italian trade unions demand from the government an immediate recovery plan and a new industrial policy strategy with new investments in industrial activities in the chemical sector. The trade unions are asking ENI, in particular, to make new investments and to adhere to commitments made in previous agreements, to safeguard the industrial plants and employment. [Full story]

Bulgaria - Fight the crisis: put the people first

EMCEF has been informed of a march and protest meeting that our affiliate NLF "Chemistry and Industry" and the national confederation CITUB are organizing on 16 June. The aim is to remind the Bulgarian government to "put the people first" in the fight against the crisis, and above all to protect the constitutional workers' rights and their jobs and incomes.

In March, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) had launched a European campaign to fight the crisis, because it has become unacceptable for workers and citizens to shoulder the burden of a crisis they did not cause. [Full story]

Paris Declaration: European trade unions determined to fight the crisis

On 27 and 28 May 2009, the ETUC held its mid-Congress term conference in Paris to discuss possible solutions to the crisis. With the endorsement of the Paris Declaration, a follow up is given to the four Euro-demonstrations on the European Action Days from 14 to 16 May 2009 in Madrid, Brussels, Berlin and Prague.

The Paris Declaration’s aim is twofold: fight the crisis and push forward a more equitable society. The declaration is built on five key points, namely: [Full story]

Mobilisation at Saint-Gobain HQ in Paris

On 20 May member trade unions organized a mobilisation at the Saint-Gobain headquarters in Paris. (updated 22 May)

After Belgium and the Netherlands, Italy has been hit the most by the restructuring at Saint-Gobain, mainly in the glass sector. [Full story]

Go and vote for social Europe

European workers need the European Parliament, and for the European Parliament’s legitimacy it is important to have an acceptable participation rate in the June 2009 elections. The European Parliament can make all the difference: over its past five-year term of office, it helped European trade unions defeat the Bolkestein Services Directive, the Ports Package and a weakening of the Working Time Directive, to name a few.

Between 4 and 7 June next, European citizens in the 27 countries of the European Union (EU) will be invited to vote to renew the members of the European Parliament for its next five-year term of office. Since 1979, when the first elections by universal direct suffrage were held, the size of the European Parliament has increased significantly in line with the successive enlargements to the EU, reaching now 736 Members of Parliament (MEPs). The European Parliament is today a crucial European political player, with considerable influence in defending the interests of Europe’s citizens. [Full story]

Toimihenkilöunioni Congress

From 14 to 16 May the Finnish Union of Salaried Employees, Toimihenkilöunioni, held its Congress in Jyvaskyla.

330 trade union delegates participated. They re-elected Antti Rinne as president. Also the 61 members of the Toimihenkilöunioni National Council and the 18 members of their executive were appointed. [Full story]

New EWC agreement for GDF SUEZ

A Special Negotiation Body has finalized a new EWC agreement for GDF SUEZ. Following the merger of GDF and SUEZ, the EWCs of both companies agreed in September 2008 on a procedure to renegotiate and integrate their existing EWC agreements. Following lengthy negotiations the resulting EWC agreement is a benchmark for most EWCs. Especially the definition of transnational issues that the EWC is competent for and the way it will be consulted are exemplary.

The new GDF SUEZ EWC agreement considers also as transnational issues the questions concerning a subsidiary located outside France falling within the scope of a decision of the dominant company, or which are a direct consequence of one of the strategies of the Group. [Full story]

3500 workers on strike at Continental

In the view of the planned closure of the plants in Clairox and Stöcken, the European works council of Continental corp. organized with the support of IGBCE, IGM and V.E.R.D.I. a demonstration at the annual shareholder's meeting on 23 April 2009 in Hannover.

3500 workers from France, Germany and Mexico took part at the rally in Hannover. Werner Bischoff, board officer of IGBCE announced at the demonstration, that he will forward a motion to the supervisory board of Continental, demanding that for the future the supervisory board and not the corporate management should be the decision taking body in location and closure issues. [Full story]

EMCEF supports the Schering Plough’s EWC

During the Schering Plough EWC meeting of 21 - 23 April 2009 the workers representatives of Schering Plough issued a joint statement to their management requesting better information and proper consultation on the transfer of production from the closed Bray site in Ireland to various other sites in different European countries.

The EWC representatives/select committee, regret not having been informed in due time, as is written in the EWC agreement and EWC Directive. The EWC notes that these decisions have been taken on the basis of lengthy considerations and regrets not having been informed and consulted while these considerations were ongoing. [Full story]

Open EMCEF statement criticising CYTEC’s breach of its commitment on information and consultation

Our Cytec EWC colleagues are in deep concern about the (non)reaction of Cytec’s management to the EMCEF intervention concerning the company’s non-compliance with the EWC directive and agreement.

We take note of the fact that the top of Cytec’s management interprets the EWC directive in a rather self-willed way by labelling obviously taken decisions as mere proposals. [Full story]

Arbeit und Leben Seminar in Zagreb

2. Seminar on Transnational Actions - Arbeit und Leben Seminar in Zagreb for EMF and EMCEF affiliates from Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia and Romania

Seminar on company restructuring and transnational actions to promote information-consultation and participation of employees representatives in the new and accession countries of the European Union was held in Zagreb on March 25th-27th for EMF and EMCEF affiliates from Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia and Romania in cooperation with Arbeit und Leben Institute, Germany. [Full story]

Statement of the European Works Council of Continental

In the view of the planned closure of the plants in Clairox and Stöcken, the European works council of Continental corp. decided that it will hold a demonstration at the annual shareholder's meeting on 23 April 2009 in Hannover.

On Thursday 3 April 2009 the members of the Continental European works council (EuroForum) adopted a common position paper with the following content: [Full story]

Basque affiliates call for general strike on 21 May.

Affiliates from the Basque Country inform EMCEF that they have called for a general strike on 21 May.

The main concerns are that the government's anti-crisis measures seem to focus solely on transferring more and more public funds to the banking sectors. These funds are resources that belong to everyone and they are not being transfer to many families or companies that need them. [Full story]

Fight the crisis: put the people first

In March, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has launched a European campaign to fight the crisis, because it has become unacceptable for workers and citizens to shoulder the burden of a crisis they did not cause. The campaign places citizens at the heart of priorities and will include a number of European events in May 2009.

Social protest movements are taking place in many European countries – such as in France, Iceland, Ireland and Latvia – as Europeans find themselves paying the price of a crisis caused by unbridled speculation. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is calling for a New Social Deal that gives priority to workers and citizens. This social agenda will have to focus on the main concerns of European citizens: employment, purchasing power and their fundamental rights. [Full story]

Villeroy & Boch – closures and mass dismissal, 10% of the workforce fired

EMCEF affiliates inform that Luxembourg’s Villeroy & Boch, one of the most known European industrial ceramic and sanitary producers, has put forward a restructuring plan that includes mass dismissals and the closure of some plants. Negotiations on the restructuring measures are going on in Luxembourg since Wednesday 25 March 2009, and our affiliates report about the big consternation in Luxembourg, where Villeroy & Boch was seen as a traditional industrial enterprise.

The management seems intended on cutting 390 jobs in Germany, 230 in Luxembourg, 220 in Sweden, 40 in Italy and 20 in the rest of the EU, in order to reduce production costs by 15%-20%. [Full story]

"Mobilisation sociale": 3 million people take to the streets

France - 19 March 2009

According to French unions 3 million people took to the streets yesterday, to protest against the government's management of the crisis. Unions are demanding measures to protect current jobs and stop job cuts in the public sector, to increase the minimum wage and unemployment benefits, and to guarantee investments,… [Full story]

Mobilisation of workers of Saint-Gobain on 19 March

EMCEF's French affiliates, CGT, CFDT, FO, CFTC advise that the workers of Saint-Gobain will organize a national action day on 19 March to protest the reduction of employment at the Saint-Gobain Group.

Notwithstanding the fact that the record profits of close to 2 billion euro of 2007 were matched again in 2008, the management laid off 8000 workers. The unions further protest the fact that further "cost reductions" are announced for 2009, and that there will be a 25% reduction in industrial investments. [Full story]

Arbeit und Leben Seminar in Budapest

Arbeit und Leben Seminar in Budapest for EMF and EMCEF affiliates from Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia.

A seminar on company restructuring and transnational actions to promote information-consultation and participation of employees representatives in the new and accession countries of the European Union was held in Budapest on 25-27 February for EMF and EMCEF affiliates from Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia in cooperation with Arbeit und Leben Institute, Germany. [Full story]

Crisis in the Czech glass and ceramic industry

A second demonstration of the workers in the Glass and Ceramics industry has taken place in Prague on 2 March, in which 600 people took part. This demonstration was in order to push for changes in social legislation.

The protest action resulted in that the Czech government, two days later, made proposals on amendments to the relevant legislation. [Full story]

Sector Social Dialogue Committee of the European Chemical Industry - Working Group Education, Training and Lifelong Learning

JOINT DECLARATION

The Social Partners of the European Chemical Industry (European Chemical Employers Group - ECEG and the European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers'Federation - EMCEF) have today, 2 March 2009, agreed the following points in relation to the introduction of layoffs (where workers are asked to stay away from the workplace for a period of time, but not made redundant) and short time working (where workers are asked to attend the work place for a shorter time than they normally do) or similar measures which do take place to avoid redundancy following national laws and collective agreements: [Full story]

Unite briefing on Current UK power Industry Walkouts

Hereunder the text of a briefing as provided by Unite the Union Background - The dispute centres on a contract to extend the diesel refining capacity at a refinery owned by Oil giant TOTAL in Lincolnshire. The contract to complete the work was awarded to the California based engineering group Jacobs in 2006 with a completion date of 2009.

It then subcontracted to an Italian firm, IREM, after a tender process in which five UK and two European contractors responded. It is understood that the terms of the contract specified that IREM would be using its existing permanent Italian and Portuguese workforce for the job. (Information taken from BBC News website, 2/02/09) [Full story]

Protests in the UK: EMF, EFBWW and EMCEF call for urgent action to tackle the root causes

As the economic crisis intensifies across Europe and anxiety about the future of employment rises, working people are expressing their anger at the prevailing EU settlement which prioritises the needs of business and capital over those of labour.

The scenes witnessed at Total's Lindsey refinery in Lincolnshire and across the UK at energy and construction sites should be seen in this context. They are an expression of workers' desire for employment near their own homes. Yet at the same time such episodes carry the danger of setting workers against each other and creating a climate of xenophobia which all trade unionists must unite to resist. Instead, unions must fight for a new settlement across Europe which meets the crisis in the interests of workers rather than corporations, and prioritises measures which underpin employment, union organisation and secure pay and conditions. [Full story]

Trade union victory concerning the Working Time directive...

17 December

Today, the European Parliament voted for Cercas proposals on changes in the Working Time directive. This means that the Council's compromise proposal was not approved. The Parliament and the Council will now try to negotiate another compromise. [Full story]

Call for action on EU – ETS

With the vote on the revision of the EU emissions trading system due to take place on the 3-4 December, the EMF is organizing an action in Brussels. The aim is to defend the trade unions’ position on the revision with regard to our sectors.

Should EMCEF affiliates wish to attend this event on 2 December in Brussels, please let us know. We would welcome their participation. [Full story]

Call for action on EU – ETS

With the vote on the revision of the EU emissions trading system due to take place on the 3-4 December, the EMF is organizing an action in Brussels. The aim is to defend the trade unions’ position on the revision with regard to our sectors.

Should EMCEF affiliates wish to attend this event on 2 December in Brussels, please let us know. We would welcome their participation. [Full story]

Bankruptcy hits Czech glass workers

The Czech glass union has notified us of a serious on-going problem in several glass companies. Eight companies, representing over 7000 workers, have applied for bankruptcy. In two of the companies, workers haven’t been paid since September. The Czech legislation does not provide for any worker protection in this case. Notwithstanding the fact that the State owns 49% of these companies, there is little chance that the workers will see any of their wages, as funds are blocked by the banks.

On 23 October, Glass workers demonstrated in Prague. A resolution was adopted that demanded immediate assistance for the affected workers and included a proposal of change in legislation. [Full story]

The ETUC opposes proposals on the revision of the Working Time Directive

NO! TO LONG HOURS AND WEAKENING OF WORKING TIME STANDARDS

Europe requires a modern organisation of work and working time meeting workers’ needs in terms of:

• healthy working hours
• better work-life balance
• decent wages

ETUC: Statement on the Financial Crisis

(Contents of a letter sent to JC Trichet, president of the European Central Bank) At a meeting in London at the weekend, Europe’s trade union leaders agreed a statement calling for fairness and tough action in relation to the developing financial crisis.

The key points are that this kind of situation must never been allowed to develop again, that support with public money must carry with it public influence and control; that regulation must be tightened, and that the public should share in any profits that accrue following injections of public money. We also urge the need for a European level of effective regulation and for action to ensure that the 'real' economy is not starved of investment capital. [Full story]

EMCEF signs joint statement on ETS in the chemical sector.

The social partners of the chemical industry (EMCEF & ECEG) have yesterday, 29 September 2008, called on the European Commission to look again at it's proposals to tackle climate change.

Stressing their support for both measures to tackle climate change and the products made by chemical businesses that help meet the challenge of climate change, EMCEF and ECEG have signed a joint statement urging the EU Commission to focus on the competitiveness of energy intensive industries, including the chemical industry, and particularly the employment situation. Employers and trade unions cautioned that if current proposals become law, there could be major disinvestment in Europe. [Full story]

Polish miners protest EU ETS legislation

A delegation of around 200 Polish miners, gathered in front of the EU Commission building, protested against the proposed EU ETS legislation today (25 September 2008). They represented the more than 100,000 people working in the mining sector in Poland.

Polish energy production depends for more than 90% on coal and lignite, and the protesters expressed their concern about the impact of the ETS and its devastating consequences for jobs in Polish coal mines districts. There is fear that job losses could amount to several 10 thousands. [Full story]

Declaration of the liaison secretariat for the Saint-Gobain Convention for European Social Dialogue

UPDATE: [Pictures]

The liaison secretariat of the Convention met on 8 & 9 September to consider the group's situation. [Full story]

International Action Day for Decent Work

UPDATE [pictures]

On 7 October 2008 the trade union movement is organising a World Day for Decent Work. This is an unparalleled opportunity for trade unions and organisations interested in Decent Work all around the world to join a broad global mobilisation involving a large number of people and a wide range of activities. A successful day will focus attention on the urgent need for a new globalisation. You’re welcome to join in! [Full story]

Bulgaria: Lukoil violates ILO convention (UPDATED)

EMCEF has been informed by its affiliated organization in Bulgaria, the National Chemical Workers Federation PODKREPA, that Lukoil Neftochim Bourgas refuses to recognize the representativity of this union despite their following the standard information procedure towards your company’s management. Indeed, Lukoil Neftochim Bourgas was provided with the names of the newly elected chairperson and secretaries of the relevant PODKREPA section, but keeps refusing to recognize that the union is indeed representative.

This is in clear breach with the existing legislation in Bulgaria and a blatant violation of ILO Convention 87 on “Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize”, which was ratified by Bulgaria. [Full story]

Corporate Social Responsibility: Trade unions and Gaz de France: an European agreement

Paris, 2 July 2008 – EMCEF, together with two other trade union EIFs (EMF, EPSU), the 15 trade union organizations from the Group's different subsidiaries, and the management of Gaz de France, signed a European agreement on corporate social responsibility.

This agreement aims to promote labour and environmental practices that go beyond the legal and regulatory requirements in all the countries where Gaz de France is active. It reinforces an approach to corporate governance and development founded on core values, ethical requirements and actions guided by principles of social responsibility. This agreement also confirms the Group's commitment to sustainable development and to maintaining a dialogue between management and employees' representatives throughout Europe, as a driver of progress. It should help to combine economic efficiency with social progress in order to create value. [Full story]

EMCEF has moved (final update...)

Everything and everyone is working as usual... Finally...

[...] [...] [...] The move went well, we are all relocated in the new building... still unpacking... [Full story]

EMCEF has moved (final update...)

Everything and everyone is working as usual... Finally...

[...] [...] [...] The move went well, we are all relocated in the new building... still unpacking... [Full story]

IV EMCEF Congress (update)

EMCEF held its fourth Congress on 11-13 June...

More than 300 delegates and participants attended the 4^th EMCEF Congress in Prague. [Full story]

Benchmarking Working Europe 2008

Since the launch of the Lisbon Strategy, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) together with the European Trade Union Institute for Research, Education and Health and Safety (ETUI-REHS) has produced an annual Benchmarking publication for the European Social Summit in order to draw attention to the state of working Europe and to contribute to the practical implementation of a social benchmarking process.

Its aim is to establish what progress has been made in selected areas of importance to workers and which are of crucial significance for a Social Europe. [Full story]

European trade union movement stages Euro-demonstration for better wages

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is organising a Euro-demonstration on Saturday 5 April in Ljubljana (Slovenia) to demand better pay and purchasing power.

European workers are facing common problems: a drop in purchasing power, coupled with wage moderation and inequality. In response, European trade unions are mobilising on 5 April, the date of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Slovenia, to demand better wages, greater purchasing power and equal pay. [Full story]

Revision EWC directive 94/45/CE

The Commission issued on 20 February its communication to consult the European social partners on the revision of the EWC directive.

"While recognising the divergence of opinions among the social partners on the subject of a possible revision of the legislation, the Commission considers that they are in the best position to express opinions on the envisaged changes to the legal framework governing the establishing of European works councils and to identify operating procedures which are more consistent with the specific needs of the undertakings and employees they represent." [Full story]

Slovenia: Strike in Steklarna Hrastnik

EMCEF affiliate, KNG Trade Union has announced a warning strike for Monday 4 February in the glass factory Steklarna Hrastnik.

The main aim of the action is to increase salaries as present salaries don't cover basic necessities for many workers. [Full story]

Poland: Strike in Mining Sector

Our Polish affiliate ZZGwPolsce informs about an upcoming strike in the Polish mines. This following the failure of subsequent negotiations with the Management Board undertaken on 19 December 2007 concerning pay rises.

As a result the Strike Committee of Polish Coal Company has decided to announce a GENERAL STRIKE as of 7 January 2008 in all mines and institutions of the Coal Company. [Full story]

EMCEF Presidium appoints new Political Secretary

At its meeting on 14 December 2007 in Brussels, the EMCEF Presidium appointed Erik Macák as Political Secretary. He will take over most of the duties of former Deputy Secretary General Jean-François Renucci who relinquished his mandate last September. Erik Macák comes from the Slovak Chemical Workers Union where he has worked at the international department for over 10 years. Acting as the right arm of the union's President, Juraj Blahák, on international matters, he has also been dealing extensively with European issues and therefore been involved in EMCEF's activities.

At EMCEF specifically, he will be dealing with the Social Dialogue and the Energy, Mines, Glass, Ceramics, and Cement sectors. His language skills and intricate knowledge of the trade union movement, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, will now doubt be a plus in Brussels. He will join the secretariat in January 2008. We look forward to adding his strength to our team. [Full story]

Demonstration/Solidarity Action - Unilever Action Day - 4 December 2007

On 4 December, the "European Action Day", organized by EMCEF, EFFAT and the Unilever EWC, took place in Rotterdam. Activities included an international press conference, a workers conference followed by a march to the Unilever headquarters, and a demonstration at the headquarters, which culminated with the submission of an official document with written demands (see attachments) to the Unilever management. Approximately 700 workers and trade union delegates from 16 European countries took part in this action day, demonstrating solidarity between the workers and the trade union federations in Europe.

Background: The Unilever management announced in a press conference on 2 August 2007 restructuring measures that would include 20,000 job cuts worldwide, with approximately 10,000 to 12,000 in Europe (i.e. every third workplace). This happened without prior notice to the EWC. Furthermore, the Unilever management started implementing their plans, with the foreseen closure of 3 plants and the dismissal of approximately 470 workers in the Netherlands. This will be followed by other closure measures and job cuts all over Europe. The fact that the implementation of those restructuring measures started without any information to the EWC nor consultation of the EWC, has been completely ignored by the management. The EWC and the workers of Unilever are still not fully informed of what is going to happen. [Full story]

Unilever Action day - 4 December - Rotterdam - "Each Job Counts"

Action planned by the European trade unions against Unilever

In the past week, representatives of the EFFAT and EMCEF Secretariats have met in Brussels with member organizations from Germany, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain, Spain, Italy and Poland, and also in the Netherlands with the steering committee of the Unilever EWC. The aim was to discuss a joint response by the trade unions and works councils to the 02 August 2007 announcement by Unilever of cutting approximately 20,000 jobs worldwide - 10,000 to 12,000 of them in Europe. [Full story]

Autumn plenary meeting SD Chemical

The European Chemical Industry Sector Social Dialogue committee is currently meeting in Lisbon.

• Flexicurity [Full story]

Swedish trade unions HTF and Sif merges to form Unionen

The Swedish trade unions HTF and Sif merges to form Unionen - the largest union in the private sector with approximately half a million members. Today on Wednesday the 3rd of October HTF´s and Sif´s congresses approved the merger to form Unionen which will become a reality on 1 january 2008.

Unionen will be the second largest trade union in Sweden with approximately half a million members and 45 000 elected representatives at 66 000 workplaces in most areas of the private sector. The union will have regional offices at 27 locations throughout the country. [Full story]

Outcomes EMCEF Executive Committee - 6 Sep 07

The EMCEF Executive Committee, at its meeting on 6 September 2007 in Brussels, unanimously elected Sari VAITTINEN as Vice-President.

Sari VAITTINEN, who works for Toimihenkilöunioni (FI), has been taking an active part in EMCEF’s work for a few years already as she is also a member of our EWC statutory committee. She was elected upon recommendation from Nordic IN, in replacement of Jeannette Van DONGEN of FNV Bondgenoten (NL). [Full story]

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS: YOU ARE EUROPEAN

The USA is the only OECD country that does not guarantee its workers paid annual leave. As a result, US workers are less likely to receive paid annual leave or paid public holidays, and those that do generally receive far less than their counterparts in comparable world economies. European Union member states and other European countries have all established a legal right to at least 20 days of paid leave per year. Some states offer as many as 30 days. On top of this most European states offer paid public holidays. The USA has no statutory provision for paid public holidays.

These are some of the findings to come from a report entitled “No-vacation nation USA - a comparison of leave and holiday in OECD countries”, written by Rebecca Ray and John Schmitt from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington D.C. The findings are today published in the ETUI-REHS’s European Economic and Employment Policy Brief 03/2007. [Full story]

European Council agreement

On 23 June 2007 the European Heads of State and Government reached an agreement on the treaty reform process. If the agreement is ratified by all member states, the new rules enter in force mid-2009.

[Full story]

On the offensive for the Charter of Fundamental Rights

Brussels - 3000 trade unionists will today gather the European institutions in Brussels in support of the Charter of Fundamental Rights being included in any new European constitutional treaty. A minority of governments are trying to reduce its significance or to keep the unsatisfactory ‘status quo’ whereby it is binding only on European institutions. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) wants it to become binding on member states as well.

ETUC General Secretary, John Monks, and other leading European trade unionists will warn President Barroso that if the new text of a Treaty does not include the Charter of Fundamental Rights in a form binding on member states, then the ETUC will campaign against that new Treaty both at European and national levels. In particular the ETUC will demand that the European Parliament should not endorse any new text which is unsatisfactory on the Charter. [Full story]

2^nd Thematic Conference - "European challenges in a global environment".

Some 80 participants from across Europe gathered for this conference held in Brussels on 8 June. The main theme was “European challenges in a global environment”. The aim of the conference was to discuss ways to further improve social conditions across Europe, but also trends and developments on sectorial level on which EMCEF needs to react together with its affiliates. Several speakers introduced these issues.

A presentation by SYNDEX of a recent study commissioned by the ETUC introduced the subject “Future perspectives and challenges for the energy sector in Europe” and a presentation of the RECKON study, recently completed for CCMI, introduced the “Future of chemical industry in Europe after REACH”. [Full story]

On the offensive with the ETUC

On the eve of the European summit taking place on 21-22 June 2007, the ETUC is therefore going on the offensive and warns that if the outcome is the relegation of the Charter, the ETUC will campaign against any new treaty (an emergency statement adopted by the ETUC Congress on May 24 is attached). [Full story]

Bulgaria - Social Partners in the chemical sector sign national Cooperation Pact

EMCEF affiliates "Chemistry and Industry" NF-CITUB and "Chemistry" NF - "Podkrepa" CL signed on 30 May in Sofia, a national cooperation pact with the Bulgarian Chamber of the Chemical Industry (BCCI) at a joint conference organized by the social partners. The Co-operation Pact was signed thanks to the mediation of the Foundation for Advanced Social Trust, advising both social partners in Bulgaria.The most important issues discussed were CSR, Responsible Care, the implementation of REACH, and its expected impact on the industry and workers in Bulgaria.

The pact is an ambitious and well-balanced framework that encompasses issues such as employment and qualification, occupational health and safety, environmental protection, competitiveness and social partnership in chemical companies, etc. A constant and improved social partnership is indeed a key to the future success of the industry and its workers. EMCEF supports this important initiative as it paves the way forward and could serve as an example for other new EU member states and accession countries. [Full story]

EMCEF Delegation attends ETUC Congress

A delegation consisting of EMCEF President Hubertus Schmoldt (DE), Secretary General Reinhard Reibsch, Deputy Secretary General Jean-François Renucci, Vice-Presidents Montserrat López de la Torre (ES), Per Sørensen (DK), Phil McNulty (UK), and Patrick Pierron (FR), EWC Committee Chair Christer Larsson (SW), and Bogdan Negrutzi (RO) on behalf of Central & Eastern Europe, attended the ETUC Congress in Sevilla this week.

Under the banner "On the offensive", this Congress comes at a key moment for the European trade union movement. It is the perfect occasion to strengthen cooperation and unity between the European Industry Federations and the ETUC and to set an ambitious agenda for the coming 4 years. Coordinated strategies on industrial policy, social dialogue, collective bargaining and European works councils are of particular importance to EMCEF and its affiliates. The need for a unified position on the proposed European Energy Policy, a careful monitoring of the implementation REACH, and a high level of preparedness for the Societas Europaea are important side aspects. [Full story]

"BASF AG" becomes "BASF SE"

On 27 February BASF AG declared its intention to become a Societas Europaea (SE). This proposal was approved by the shareholders at its annual meeting held on 26 April.

A negotiating body has to be set up to negotiate the agreement on workers participation, which will be required to register the SE. Members are currently being elected in the various countries. Reinhard Reibsch will be a member of the negotiation body (as one of the two external representatives) following the proposal from IG BCE, the German Mining, Chemical and Energy Trade Union. [Full story]

UK - Welcome to Unite the Union

United Kingdom - Unite the Union has been formed after Amicus and TGWU members voted to merge to create a new union with around two million members. It is at the forefront of supporting workers through a programme of campaigning and organising.

Unite the Union is the 'Union for Life,' throughout members' working lives - whatever their job and whoever their employer. Based on the principles of individual and collective responsibility, Unite the Union is dedicated to improving its members' standard of living and quality of life in both the public and private sectors reflecting the changing world of work. [Full story]

Social partners join forces in the promotion of the European Minerals Day, 11-13 May 2007

At the initiative of the European industrial minerals sector, the first edition of a pan-European Minerals Day is taking place in May 2007.

During the weekend of 11-13 May, mineral producing companies all over Europe join forces in a European-wide effort to boost the awareness about the extractive industry sector. Together with their local partners such as schools, NGOs, geologists etc. the companies will organise local events at plant level, creating an exceptional opportunity for entertaining and informal exchanges between an industry that is so much present in every day life and local communities, employees’ families, administration, students, media and the public at large. [Full story]

EMCEF - TOTAL: EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

“Assistance in creation, purchase or development of small and medium sized businesses”

EMCEF Secretary General Reinhard Reibsch signed on 28 March in Paris a European framework agreement with the management of the TOTAL Group and other European trade union federations FECCIA and FECER on “Assistance in creation, purchase or development of small and medium sized businesses”. [Full story]

EMCEF - TOTAL: EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

“Assistance in creation, purchase or development of small and medium sized businesses”

EMCEF Secretary General Reinhard Reibsch signed on 28 March in Paris a European framework agreement with the management of the TOTAL Group and other European trade union federations FECCIA and FECER on “Assistance in creation, purchase or development of small and medium sized businesses”. [Full story]

AGREEMENT AT RWE ENERGY

On 14. March the EWC and the central management of RWE Energy in Dortmund signed an agreement on “Principles to be followed in dealing with restructuring”. The agreement is valid in Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Austria and the Netherlands. Main point is the right of the EWC to be informed and consulted as soon as restructuring measures that concern at least two countries are planned.

[Full story]

RESTRUCTURING AT AGC FLEURUS

Belgium - Glass sector: Workers at Glaverbel face yet again a new restructuring at AGC-Fleurus. Management announced on 28 March that 381 jobs out of 558 would be cut at this automotive glass factory. Total job losses in the country for the period 2005-2007 amounted to 400, i.e. a decrease of 10 %. After a strike that lasted a record 105 days (December 2005-March 2006), 256 jobs were already lost in Fleurus. The Zeebrugge and Lodelinsart facilities also had to undergo difficult restructuring processes. Workers at the Belgian operations of the group made huge efforts in terms of productivity, flexibility and efficiency, this was acknowledged by the management of AGC-Fleurus, and maintenance investments in other Belgian operations confirm this. Further investments in Hungary (Tatabanyá), the Czech Republic (mass production of flat glass to start in early 2008) and Russia (Klin + Bor Glassworks)) show that AGC, like many other operators in Europe, is moving eastwards.

Today, management at Fleurus seems trying to avoid confrontation and is prepared to follow the “procédure Renault” (a national consultation procedure). Discussions seem easier than in 2005 and unions will seek to negotiate a maximum of early retirements, transfers, etc. Their main objective, however, is to try to retain 400 jobs on this particular worksite, as they feel that the plant used as a reference to compare the profitability of Fleurus (Rocassecca, in Italy), operated in fact under far better conditions (adaptation period, etc.). [Full story]

ENERGY POLICY and RESTRUCTURING

Conference - Prague, 23 March 2007

"Energy Policy and Restructuring – The role of information, consultation, participation and social dialogue in the energy sector of the new member states and the accession countries of the EU." [Full story]

Finnish union threatens strikes in response to Stora Enso's cost reduction plans

The Finnish Paper Workers' Union has threatened strikes following Stora Enso's announcement that it plans to close another raft of mills, affecting the jobs of some 450-1,100 staff.

Yesterday, the company said it would permanently close its Sunila pulp mill, its Tolkkinen sawmill and its Varkaus mill. It also will divest its Kotka mill during the next year-and-a-half. In addition, the group plans to permanently shutdown a paper machine at its Imatra mill, with all closures going ahead unless paper demand and pricing "clearly recover". [Full story]