1. Global Framework Agreements: Evolution Over Time Trade union strategies for workers’ rights in the global supply chain of MNCs 14th – 25th September 2015 in Turin

2. Evolution of Global Framework Agreements
Apart from a constant growth in the number of GFAs since the beginning of this century, there is a qualitative evolution.
Global trade union federations demanded stronger GFAs, which resulted in a new generation of GFAs.
2nd generation of GFAs (since mid-2000s):
involve stronger negotiation (local ownership), implementation, monitoring, and dispute resolution procedures.
facilitate unionization rather than simply consent to it.
contain an unequivocal reference to suppliers and subcontractors
seek recognition of international workers and human rights standards.

3. Evolution of References to International Standards
References in GFAs. Table created by the author (n=41)
Sources: Own calculations based on an evaluation of GFAs negotiated during (n=62) compiled by Nikolaus Hammer in Papadakis, Konstantinos (ed) (2008): Cross-border social dialogue and agreements. An Emerging Global Industrial Relations Framework, Geneva, S. 267 ff.; Own evaluation of GFAs newly concluded or renewed during May 2015 (n=54).

4. Global Framework Agreements and Global Supply Chains
Important mechanisms to translate economic benefits into better working conditions along global supply chains are freedom of association, collective bargaining and advocacy by trade unions.
GFAs are building on sound labour relations to regulate GSCs.
For trade unions GFAs are intrinsically linked to forge solidarity links and to facilitate unionization.
The references in GFAs to the supply chain are becoming more frequent and more compulsory.

5. References to Global Supply Chains in GFAs
Four groups of references to supply chains were identified in GFAs:
No Reference
Inform and Encourage Suppliers and Subcontractors
Potential Termination of the Contractual Relationship
Reference to the Entire Global Supply Chain

6. References to Global Supply Chains in GFAs
Inform and Encourage Suppliers and Subcontractors
ThyssenKrupp-IndustriALL: “ThyssenKrupp ensures that its suppliers shall be informed in a suitable manner about these fundamental principles. ThyssenKrupp encourages its suppliers to consider these principles in their own corporate policy.”
Potential Termination of the Contractual Relationship
Svenska Cellulosa AB (SCA)-IndustriALL: “At the same time any proven violation of the principles contained in the Agreement that is not remedied despite warnings will lead to termination of relations with the company concerned.”

7. References to Global Supply Chains in GFAs
Reference to the Entire Global Supply Chain
Total-IndustriALL: “The Group expects its contractor companies and suppliers to: (…) (m)ake sure that their own contractors respect principles equivalent to the above.”
Inditex-IndustriALL: “Inditex undertakes to apply and insist on enforcement of the International Labour Standards mentioned above throughout its ‘supply chain’ regarding all workers, whether they by directly employed by Inditex or by its external manufactures or and suppliers.”

8. References to Global Supply Chains in GFAs
Source: Evaluation GFAs : Telljohann, Volker et al. (2009): European and international framework agreements: Practical experiences and strategic approaches. – Eurofound, Dublin, p. 32; Own evaluation of GFAs negotiated during (n=54).

9. Joint Activities: Collaboration on Monitoring, Training Programmes and Global Reviews
Good-practice examples in GFAs to promote freedom of association and collective bargaining at suppliers and subcontractors of MNEs:
Continuous consultation meetings
Joint monitoring and reviews
joint site visits at subsidiaries and suppliers
integration in auditing schemes
Supporting suppliers and subcontractors
training programmes for the management and workers
technical support

10. Joint Activities: Collaboration on Monitoring, Training Programmes and Global Reviews
Disclosure of supplier information
Procurement practices: inclusion of GFA-Standards in commercial contracts
Nevertheless, only few general trends have emerged with regard to these good-practice examples in GSCs yet.

11. Evaluation of Case Studies on the Implementation of GFAs
An evaluation of 29 case studies on the implementation of GFAs yields the following results:
GFAs are often unknown among managers in MNEs’ subsidiaries, suppliers and subcontractors and within the ranks of local trade unions.
However, successful examples of good-practices in bringing suppliers, subcontractors and subsidiaries under the GFA umbrella.
successful unionization campaigns,
establishment of trade union networks,
rehiring of workers’ representatives after invoking the GFA by trade unions.

12. Evaluation of Case Studies on the Implementation of GFAs
In Brazil, unions shut down machines at one MNE for two hours to force the company to exert pressure on a supplier to rehire fired union representatives.
In Turkey, a GFA was successfully used at a supplying company to build up strong international solidarity and an organizing campaign led to one of the rare examples of successful unionization in this country.
The Inditex-GFA helped in facilitating the reinstatement of over sacked trade unionists in Peru and Cambodia in supplying companies.
These good-practice examples provide evidence for the significant role that GFAs and GUFs can potentially play to ensure workers’ rights along the global supply chain of MNEs.

13. A Way Forward: Evaluation of Case Studies on the Implementation of GFAs
To further strengthen GFAs the involvement of local unions throughout the GFA process, from its initiation, through negotiations, and implementation is crucial.
MNEs must ensure the agreement is disseminated in the local languages spoken or understood by the workers throughout the company’s operations to all workers and managers AND to all suppliers and sub- contractors.
GFAs should include a reference to the entire supply chain of the MNE.
Establishing union networks is of primary importance and should be prioritized.

14. A Way Forward: Evaluation of Case Studies on the Implementation of GFAs
GFAs should include the duty of the MNE to treat the respect for provisions in the GFAs as a determining criterion for establishing or continuing business relationships with suppliers and subcontractors.
GFAs should include a comprehensive and clear definition of the group of companies that is represented by the MNE in the GFA.
Disclosure of information on the companies in the GSC of the MNE.

15. Which tools are needed to make GFAs stronger?
Discussion
What is your opinion: Should GFAs mainly be used as a tool for organizing or for negotiations?
Which tools are needed to make GFAs stronger?
How can local ownership of the agreements be strengthened?