1. Trade Union Strategies in Central and Eastern Europe Evelin Toth Mucciacciaro, ACTRAV Europe, ITC-ILO, 12 February 2007, Turin

2. General Info about Europe World’s second smallest continent in terms of area (2% of the Earth’s surface) Population: 727 mil. (world’s third largest continent) Includes 48 countries (27 are members of the European Union – the largest political and economic entity by area and population/492.8 million inhabitants) the world’s largest economy with an estimated nominal GDP of 13.4 trillion USD Global Competitiveness Report (2006-2007) 7 out of 10 most competitive economies in the world are from Europe (CH,FI, SE, DK, DE, NL, UK)

3. Communist nations in Eastern Europe Soviet Union’s expansion in EE Warsaw Pact Socialist economies Capitalist countries in Western Europe Partnership with United States European Union (ESCS, 1951; EEC, 1957; 1992 EU) NATO Free trade, open market Historical background Division in two major political and economic blocks Conflict, tension and competition between East and West

4. Beginning of Transition The fall of the Berlin Wall – Turning point in CEE history towards democracy (1989) Transition from one-party rule of the communist party to democratic pluralism (first free elections) Freedom of speech From atheism and suppressed religion to freedom to profess religious belief Independent judiciary Transition from centrally planned to market economy Transition from TU controlled by the state to independent trade union movement 1991 – dissolution of the Soviet Union

5. Solidarnosc 1980 - birth of,,Solidarnosc’’, the independent self-governing labour union,,Solidarity’’ – leading actor of change Strike of shipyard dockers on the Baltic Sea – political dimension (against poverty, for pay rises, for freedom of the press and speech, right to strike, right to organise free and independent trade unions) Solidarity’s influence throughout the countries of the Central and Eastern Europe Solidarnosc – international affiliation to ICFTU,WCL and ETUC www.solidarnosc.org.pl

6. Changing Role of Trade Unions Trade union activity shaped by economic, political and social context DILEMMA: Oppose or support modernisation of economy knowing that there will be negative social consequences Opposition = exclusion from participation in strategic decision- making in national reform, risk of long-term marginalisation Support = participation and responsibility for success/failure

7. Central and Eastern Europe Before Transition Enterprises protected against the impacts of the world markets Centrally organised production and distribution Administrative decisions determine resource allocation and prices Strongly regulated labour markets High employment and income security and job stability for the workers Full employment High Union Density

8. 1990s in CEE Privatization Opening up of national economies to global competition Competitiveness Domestic enterprises must adjust their workforce in numbers, structure and quality to market demand Changes in labour legislation Labour market flexibility Poor law enforcement Job insecurity Violations of trade union rights Need for social partners to agree on compromises

9. ESCESC Employers’ Associations Trade Unions Government Tripartism

10. Economic and Social Reforms Focus on competitiveness of economy and creation of business-friendly environment at the expense of labour and social rights Social reforms: health, pension … Major impact of neo-liberal approach of World Bank and International Monetary Fund European social model – vision of society that combines sustainable economic growth with high-level living and working conditions

11. International co-operation International recognition of CEE unions by ICFTU and WCL Merger of ICFTU and WCL into ITUC Pan-European Region Council – to be established in March 2007 – structure for ITUC affiliates in Europe From 1995: integration of CEE unions to ETUC/European Trade Union Confederation; it currently comprises 81 member organisations, from a total of 36 countries in Europe, and 12 industry federations. ETUC represents the interests of 60 million organized workers at European level www.etuc.orgmember organisationsindustry federations role of ILO (research, expertise, policy advise)

12. Trade Union Density

13. LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP Pluralism and fragmentation of TU movements – weakened TU position, TUs fighting each other In CEE, 75% of workers are not unionised and are left outside the scope of present social dialogue Objective reasons: bankruptcy and liquidation of enterprises, reduction of number of workers, a spilling over of labour into the private and shadow sectors of the economy Restructuring of enterprises, their fragmentation into small enterprises Anti-trade union activity of employers Formation through mass media of a negative opinion of trade unions

14. ORGANISING IN CEE LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS FIELD LACK OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANISERS EXISTING TRADE UNION STRUCTURES ARE NOT FIT FOR ORGANISING LITTLE OR NO BUDGET FOR ORGANISING NO STRATEGIC PLANNING OF RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGNS DIFFICULTIES IN ORGANISING IN NEW SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY IN INFORMAL ECONOMY SMEs, MNEs …

15. CONSOLIDATION OF TRADE UNION MOVEMENTS Vision of trade union in the future (2010, 2020…) Reflexive capacity of trade unions – self-analysis and analysis of environment Need for constant and rapid adjustment to change Not rely on,,borrowed experience’’ – find one’s own way adapted to the national context Build capacity at all levels for continuous negotiations on salaries and working conditions Need for more ambitious collective bargaining on a wider spectrum of topics Potential of,,social pacts’’

16. 2005 Eurodemonstrations in Brussels, the capital of Europe

17. EURODEMONSTRATIONS