European information and consultation rights of Novartis Euroforum (NEF)‏ Ingrid Stipanovsky Member of the Novartis European Forum

ETUC EWC Conference Agenda 1. Company and Novartis Euroforum (NEF)‏ 2. Information and Consultation of NEF by Management 3. Management position & NEF-initiatives to „Forward“ 4.Conclusions

ETUC EWC Conference Company and NEF Novartis AG  pharm. Company, Headquarters in Basel, CH  Employees: in 140 countries worldwide, in Europe  Commitment to social responsibility (CSR document 2000)‏ Novartis Euroforum (NEF)‏  Since 1996 – Agreement acc. article 13 of the guideline 94/45/EC  Gremium for information and consultation by Novartis management  41 delegates are representing 21 countries  Administrative Commitee: 7 members  This agreement will be subject to the laws of Austria.

ETUC EWC Conference Information and Consultation of NEF by Management Project „Forward“, 2007: Worldwide optimizing and restructuring initiatives in Pharma, Consumer Health and Research (NIBR) with an anncounced reduction of employees. One initiative is the closing of the Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research in Vienna :  Pre December 12th 2007: Multisite analysis of possibilities and options  December 12th 2007: Decision by the Novartis Board of directors to review Vienna research site  December 13th 2007: Notification of senior management in Austria. Pre- notification of works council  December 18th 2007: final decision communicated to works council; notification of Associates trough MCF video and the local Head of Research ► 5 days for consultation of NEF !!!!

ETUC EWC Conference Management position & NEF-initiatives to „Forward“ Management position for introducing „Forward“:  No information in due time for a qualified consultation process of NEF.  NEF has only been informed about the decisions: ► Participiation of NEF in the process of decision finding was avoided. ► Working on concepts for alternatives by NEF was not possible. NEF initiatives:  In a resolution NEF demanded from management to withdraw the decision and to offer alternatives. ( )‏  Involvement of EMCEF – Intervention letter to the headquarters, cc: EU-commissioner for Employment & Social Affairs (V. Spidla, ,)‏  No answers of management to both letters !

ETUC EWC Conference Conclusion : Needs of NEF  Strengthen rights of information by management  Rights for participation in decision processes.  Participation of the works councils (national und transnational) in developing alternatives to restructuring processes. ►Since I/2008 Novartis management offered to establish a NEF- working group negotiating an additional agreement on improving the information and consultation rights. EWC-Guideline needs: Specification of „in time information“ of EWCs. Establishing rules for „participation rights“ in management decisions for the EWCs. The involvement of the Trade Unions