1.4. Trade union alliances - steps
1.4.0. Introduction on trade union alliances
|
Trade union alliances EWCs should always reflect the aims and
objectives of the trade unions that organise in a company. The EWCs need to be regarded as tools
for UNI Europa and its affiliates to defend and promote employees’ interests.
There is a need to ensure that trade union members genuinely benefit from the
European legal provisions and that companies’ managements do not circumvent
legitimate trade union representation. For this reason, the development of
trade union alliances is a fundamental element in our work for strong EWCs. |
1.4.a. The aim of a trade union alliance
|
Any SNB and EWC should be embedded in
a stable and clearly defined European trade union alliance covering the
company concerned. The alliance should link unionized SNB/EWC members, the
SNB/EWC coordinator and the representatives of affiliates (trade union
officials) organizing in the company concerned. The aim of a trade union alliance is
to: • ensure maximum support to the
SNB/EWC. • secure a common trade union approach
to the company concerned. • gather information to obtain a
comprehensive overview of the company. • ensure a balance between the
national interests of affiliates, in order to allow for a truly
European/international approach, creating a stable basis for transnational
trade union activities (such as campaigns or negotiations for a global
framework agreement). • develop the EWC as a tool to empower
members from countries with little or weak trade union involvement to demand
and enjoy the same rights as colleagues from countries with stronger trade
union power. • discuss and implement strategies for
raising the unionization rate in the company, and in the EWC. • protect and promote the interests of
employees within multinational companies operating in Europe. The alliance can be extended beyond
Europe to become an international trade union alliance. UNI Europa sectors
should initiate and coordinate trade union alliances for the companies in
their sectors, deciding on the structure, the scope and possible rules of
procedure and ensuring that this process is transparent. Cooperation with other European
Trade Union Federations If different European Trade Union
Federations that are members of the ETUC organize in the same company, UNI
Europa will cooperate with these Federations in an open and constructive way,
for the benefit of the employees concerned. The T.U.A. can be set up: 1) Before
starting the procedure to set up the EWC or the designation of the SNB also
in case of the Societas Europea 2) Within
an already existing EWC. Case 1) is normally better in
terms of effectiveness, but case 2) is normally more frequent due to the
simple fact that the T.U.A. strategy is a result of the experiences made by
UNI within the EWCs. 1) Platform
and alliance building Ø
It is key to prepare
a draft of the EWC Agreement, so that negotiations take place on OUR text and
not on that which would almost certainly be proposed by the company. Such
draft should be ready to be shared by the SNB before starting the negotiation
to be brought at the first session of the latter. Ø
It is key to take
advantage of our
direct contacts in various countries and unions interested in the
establishment of the SNB, so as to assure the highest promptness in the
procedure and to prevent the Management from nominating SNB members who are
not genuine trade-union reps, or at least genuine employees reps. (SEE ALSO
2.5.0) |
1.4.c. Geographical and Financial
information
|
Go to 2.2.c Business accounting: use of the manual It’s
fundamental to collect information about geographical distribution and
Financial leverage (chain of commad by participations) to understand who is
really managing the group and where, to bargain at the right level of
ownership. Go to 5.3.
Glossary annex business accounting In particular:
B, C, D.1 |