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(30 September 2009) The EPSU EWC coordinators group considered a number of texts on the procedures and mandates to arrive at transnational agreements. Large consensus was achieved and the way forward recommended to the Standing Committee Utilities. The text clarifies how EPSU and affiliated unions should proceed, decided and agree on transnational agreements which are an increasing issue in large multinational companies. It signifies a step forward in the coordination of Europe’s trade unions.
Other issues considered:
Romuald Jagodzinski of ETUI gave an overview of the progress with regard to the European Private Company Statute. He commented on the Czech and on the Swedish Presidency proposals. Workers’ participation has been improved in the text but the EPSU group expressed its concerns that the relationship with the already existing SE is not clear and the added value appears limited especially as the current proposals continue to open doors to companies to escape workers’participation. That this is not an imaginary concern is demonstrated by the growing number of empty European Companies. These are companies without operations and activities and which have been created to circumvent negotiations with the trade unions and workers’ representatives. Only in a quarter of cases do SEs employ workers and carry out activities.
The EPSU group also discussed the commentary of the ETUC on the revised EWC directive and a joint guide for negotiators prepared by the European Trade union federations. Caution remains needed during the transition period before the new directive is applied in national law to prevent that employers would restrict the rights to information and consultation of workers.
Romuald further highlighted a set of important tools of the European trade unions such as the workers’ participation project which combines information on European Companies www.worker-participation.eu/ and the European Works Council Database available at: www.ewcdb.org. New features have been added which allows colleagues to search for exemplary texts on a range of subjects.
The meeting took place 28 September 2009, Luxembourg. Susanne Senica from Verdi chaired the meeting. The EPSU Deputy General Secretary participated in the meeting.
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