EWCs: Problems & Practices

1. EWCs: Problems & Practices EWC - CEE

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

3. 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. Quality of information and consultation Source: EWC survey by prof. J. Waddington, 2005

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

7. 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. TU support Select committee Comité restreint UNION SYNDICAT UNION SYNDICAT UNION SYNDICAT UNION SYNDICAT UNION SYNDICAT UNION SYNDICAT UNION SYNDICAT CTI CTI CTI CTI CTI CTI CTI GEWERKSCHAFT GEWERKSCHAFT GEWERKSCHAFT GEWERKSCHAFT GEWERKSCHAFT GEWERKSCHAFT GEWERKSCHAFT EWC CEE EBR A strategy: EWC as the core of a representationnetwork EIF Coordination

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

10. Transnationality – Transnationalité ? EWC - CEE

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

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

13. Someexperiences • 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. 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. 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. 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. Improve the information and consultation procedurewith 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. Working methods Strategy Investments What ? Was ? Quoi?

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