Transnational agreements, financial crisis and company profits dominate 30th Standing Committee

(18 May 2009) Trade union representatives reported on the economic and financial crisis and how that affects the energy and waste sector in particular.

Declining electricity consumption and less waste affect all companies. Companies are delaying payment of their utility bills. Jobs losses, outsourcing, pay freezes and increased unemployment were reported from all countries. Mistrust in banks, attacks on pensions funds are widespread, but so are protests of workers with mass demonstrations and other actions in several countries.

EPSU unions supported the emphasis in stimulus packages on renewables and developing the Green economy. The unions noted that the crisis has made clear that redistribution of wealth is to be on the agenda as workers and their families have seen their share decline in National Income.

To underline this, EPSU published a brief report on the declining share of wages in relation to profits and dividends in the major European energy companies.

Members considered a range of issues:

- The paper on procedures on how to arrive at transnational agreement. A revised version will be circulated for further consultation and be discussed again at the meeting 29 September.

- To support the European Network for Public Water and its Water Manifesto.

Further reports were provided over the results of the World Water Forum in Istanbul March 2009 and the discussion with the European Commission to provide funding for public-public water partnerships. - It approved the work of the EPSU delegations in the sectoral social dialogue committees electricity and gas.

An important issue for both sectors concerns skills and competencies. Members approved the emphasis of the European Employment council of 7 May to have more apprenticeships and trainees in the companies.

- Results of collective bargaining.

EPSU’s Richard Pond presented the report on the share of wages in companies compared to profits.

- Energy policy developments such as nuclear safety, internal market, emission trading and broader climate change actions, South East European energy community.

- It noted the dates of a range of activities foreseen including for water, waste and energy.

Next meeting of the Standing Committee will be 29 September 2009, Luxembourg