1. EDUCATION EWC - CEE EWCs: Problems & Practices

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. EDUCATION Information & Consultation Dir 2009/38/EC EWC - CEE Time Temps Zeit Content Contenu Inhalt Fashion Manière Weise Avis Opinion Stellungnahme Impact?

7. 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

8. 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

9. EDUCATION ……… …. European Works Council Betriebsrat Europäischer Betriebsrat Comité d’entreprise Comité d’entreprise européen Samarbejdsutvalg Europeisk Samarbejdsutvalg

10. EDUCATION Transnationality – Transnationalité ? EWC - CEE

11. EDUCATION Temps de parole 1% 19% 2% 8% 0% 70% UK CES NL D H F

12. EDUCATION TU and WCs = Organisations ≠ Networks 1.ORGANISATIONS Structure Statute Multiple objectives Hierarchy Membership Procedures for decision making (majority) Sanctions 2.NETWORKS ? Few objectives ? Join & leave (voluntary) Consensus Moral sanctions (?)

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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?....

17. 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)

18. EDUCATION Strategy Investments What ? Was ? Quoi? Working methods

19. 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