The latest negotiating session on the amended EWC agreement for Suez took place on 27 September in Paris. The negotiations were finalised and the parties would consult on the result. While there are no earth shocking improvements a number of steps have been taken to improve the agreement:
- While the text does not use the word consultation, improvements have been reached as to the wording including “concertation”, timely and written information at a point in time when our position still can be taken into account in the decision-making process, the possibility to express a position to which management has to have a motivated reply;
- An extension of the list of issues on which there will be dialogue including equality;
- An extension of the Steering Committee from 4 to 7. One Secretary for the EWC and 2 members per branch (energy, water, waste).
- The representatives of new Member States become full members;
- A clause on protection of members of the EWC
- A clause, which stipulates that local management, is to facilitate the carrying out by members of their mandate;
- Number of training days increased from 5 to 10.
- Possibility of a use of experts is defined while the mission of the trade union accountant is clearer defined.
- The largest step has been made with regard to the recognition of the branch commissions. Water as well as waste get a commission that in practice will have similar possibilities for meetings (2x a year) and calling for extra-ordinary meetings. The internal rules are similar as those of the energy commission of Suez (= the EWC of Tractebel). In effect Suez now has three sub-EWCs. These will also establish health and safety committees. (It also means that EWC members will now be together at least 11 days a year, and not counting the meetings they could possibly meet in committees like on health and safety)
A number of side agreements were also reached:
- The EWC members will be trained in the use of the First Class communication system developed by ETUCO. This training will be additional to the above training depending on a joint project submission of Suez and IED;
- A working group will look at the different terms used in European legislation on consultation and how this relates to the terms used in the agreement;
- Suez agreed that PSI and it would start discussion on the international social dialogue in the Group and how this can best be given form.
- When the contract for a secretary, which is currently still doing school, is finished, a more permanent position of secretary will be regarded.
- Log in to post comments