(3 December 2014) GdfSuez is continuing with a project to bring its service centres together in Belgium in France. Management had agreed with the EWC that this would entail no changes for the workers concerned. Pay and conditions would remain linked to the collective agreements. Recent discussions on the creation of a new shared service centre indicate different with the risk of internally organised social dumping. Workers in the new centre would be employed under a different (and less beneficial) collective agreement chosen by the employer. Belgian unions have been organising actions and even blocked the doors of the main trading floor of the company to underline their opposition to the project. The EWC supported the Belgian colleagues and it was agreed further negotiations would take place to secure pay and conditions.
The EWC also supported the Spanish workers in their concerns over the implications of the corruption scandal that implicated 4 directors of Cofely, a subsidiary of GdfSuez. The 4 have been arrested and accused. Management was explicit in its rejection of corruption and that it has no place in the company. The EWC underlined that the pressures in the company for market share, contracts and profits can contribute to such behaviour. Checks and balances and a role for the workers' representatives and trade unions in such monitoring are important to prevent a culture of corrupt business practices.
The CEO of the company, Mr. Mestrallet presented the strategy of the company, how it is reacting to various market pressures and new developments while remaining rooted in services, infrastructure and production.
At the end of the meeting the agreement between the European Federations and the company for well-being at work was signed by the EPSU General Secretary.
The meeting took place 27 November 2014, Milano, Italy. EPSU was represented by Jerry van den Berge in the preparatory meeting and the EPSU General Secretary in the plenary meeting and signing ceremony.
- Log in to post comments