EDUCATION EWC - CEE EWCs: Problems & Practices

EDUCATION How many EWC meetings?

EDUCATION Preparatory meetings?

EDUCATION Follow up meetings?

EDUCATION Select committee?

EDUCATION Council Directive 94/45/EC “the letter” No definition of the timing of information Just a catalog of issues: Consultation = ”establishment of dialogue an exchange of views” Strategy Investments What ? Working methods

EDUCATION Council Directive 94/45/EC “the spirit” Whereas appropriate provisions must be adopted to ensure that the employees of Community-scale undertakings are properly informed and consulted when decisions which affect them are taken in a Member State other than that in which they are employed; The EWC must be kept informed and consulted on the activities of the undertaking in general and in detail, specifically about those aspects of activities which affect employees’ interests

EDUCATION Quality of information and consultation IssueNot raised %Raised but useless information % Useful information but no consultation % Useful information and consultation % Changes to working methods 37,411,033,717,8 Closures or cutbacks 16,111,244,528,1 Mergers, take- overs or acquisitions 23,26,853,516,6 Reorganisation of production lines 41,68,135,914,4 Source: EWC survey by prof. J. Waddington, 2005

EDUCATION You want the reps to communicate with YOU - not among themselves Les représentants communiquent avec VOUS - pas entre eux Die Vertreter sollen mit Ihnen kommunizieren nicht mit einander Employer strategy For EWCs

EDUCATION Information According to the SE directive = our goal in new agreements Means the informing of the body of representative of the employees and/or employees’ representatives by the competent organ of the SE on questions which concern the SE itself and any of its subsidiaries or establishments situated in another Member State or which exceed the powers of decision-making organs in a single Member State at a time, in a manner and with a content which allows the employees’ representatives to undertake an in-depth assessment of the possible impact and, where appropriate, prepare consultations with the competent organ of the SE;

EDUCATION Consultation According to the SE directive = our goal in new agreements Means the establishment of dialogue and exchange of views between the body representative of the employees and/or the employees’ representatives and the competent organ of the SE, at a time, in a manner and with a content which allows the employees’ representatives, on the basis of information provided, to express an opinion on measures envisaged by the competent organ which may be taken into account in the decision-making process within the SE;

EDUCATION How? Make the EWC to the core of a representation network Organise information and consultation between the reps on an ongoing basis Coordinate with EIF and national TU organisations Train the reps Train the coordinators

EDUCATION A strategy: EWC as the core of a representation network EIF Coordination UNION SYNDICAT GEWERKSCHAFT CTI Select committee Comité restreint UNION SYNDICAT GEWERKSCHAFT CTI UNION SYNDICAT GEWERKSCHAFT CTI UNION SYNDICAT GEWERKSCHAFT CTI UNION SYNDICAT GEWERKSCHAFT CTI UNION SYNDICAT GEWERKSCHAFT CTI UNION SYNDICAT GEWERKSCHAFT CTI EWC CEE EBR TU support

EDUCATION TU and WCs = Organisations ≠ Networks ORGANISATIONS Structure Statute Multiple objectives Hierarchy Membership Procedures for decision making (majority) Sanctions NETWORKS ? Few objectives ? Join & leave (voluntary) Consensus Moral sanctions (?)

EDUCATION Some experiences A Networks is not an organisation –Few issues, an well identified objectives –Prepare but not take decisions –Implement some decisions –Improve the communication exchange of experiences The network needs face to face meetings The network needs competent animateurs/coaches

EDUCATION EWCs as Networks? Yes But they need also to become Representation Bodies (= organisations) They need TU support and coordination They need training They need facilities

EDUCATION EWCs – How? Create the conditions in the agreement Transnational body Structure (Group-wide or divisional? ) Definition of Information and Consultation Frequency of meetings (extraordinary meetings), preparatory & follow up meetings Select committee Experts (also TU co-ordinator) Translation and communication facilities for the reps Contacts with local representations Confidentiality & non disclosure Training

EDUCATION The EWC as the core of a representation network Co-ordinate information & consultation between local/national representation bodies Monitor and reinforce local/national information, consultation & negotiation procedures (increase TU-influence?) –MNCs also reports about sustainable development & CSR to investors, Global Compact... (is the EWC informed and consulted about the content of those reports?) –What can look like a very local issue, as i.e. renegotiating an agreement about overtime can impact on employment in an other site... Make use of national resourses and strengths an try to disseminate/mutualise their outcomes –Expertise in France, board level representation in some represented countries... Agree about & formulate a European ”mission statement” for the EWC, ”ground rules” and/or a work programme Develop own information tools and try to initiate an agreement about i.e. Minimum standards in cases of restructuring. MNCs have medium term strategic plans 3-5 years – Are the reps informed and consulted?....

EDUCATION Improve the information and consultation procedure with the central management –Organise an effective follow up of the information and consultation practices of the central management –”Invite” the decision makers at meetings... Document measures and decisions as well as breaches of information and consultation rights Develop common positions among the workers’ reps about those breaches Confront the central management with breaches during the following meeting If the management persists in not really informing and consulting – –Check if the company reports to a social rating agency (Global Compact....) –call upon public opinion (press release...) –Submit the case to an OECD contact point –Take legal action –Co-ordinate within the network –Build the trust among reps (own projects and information tools)

EDUCATION Strategy Investments What ? Was ? Quoi? Working methods

EDUCATION Parental leave H & S Working time Equal opportunities R & D UNION SYNDICAT GEWERKSCHAFT CTI Droits Rights Training Profit sharing … + ? Environment Subcontrating Outsourcing Performance assesment