Gas, Remunicipalisation, Company policy and EWCs
Trade unionists from all over Europe agree to step up efforts to build networks in health and social care multinationals
On 4 September, more than 40 trade union representatives from 15 European countries met in Brussels to discuss how to coordinate their activities in multinational enterprises in the health and social care sectors.
Union mobilises against energy network companies
The FNME-CGT energy union is stepping up its mobilisation of workers in the Enedis and GRDF electricity and gas network companies. The union accuses both companies of focusing on increasing profits at the expense of employees and customers. The companies are pushing through restructuring, outsourcing and job cuts with employees facing work intensification and pressure to deliver services without the proper resources. The union has a range of key demands including an increase in pay and an end to job cuts and outsourcing.
Setting up a European Works Council in KORIAN – first meeting of the Special Negotiating Body
Trade unions and works council representatives met for the first time in the Special Negotiating Body (SNB) in order to establish a European Works Council (EWC) in the French-based care company KORIAN.
Energy union threatens strike action over pay
The Federation of Trade Unions Gaz Romania (FSGR) has said it may resort to strike action if the ENGIE energy company doesn't respond to its demands on pay. The union argues that the employers have failed to come up with a reasonable offer and also to provide information needed for the negotiations. The union has been in contact with the Labour Inspectorate to help put pressure on the company to provide the requested data and it hasn't ruled out possible legal action to be accompanied by protests and strikes.
Building transnational union networks in private social care
EPSU has made considerable progress in bringing together trade union representatives from across Europe in two social care multinationals - Orpea and Korian. Company networks are being built in both organisations while steps have already been taken in Orpea towards setting up a European works council, with the first meeting of the Special Negotiating Body taking place on 25 April. Both companies are French-owned and have expanded rapidly in recent years with subsidiaries now operating in several European countries.
Interview with Satoko Kishimoto, campaigner, on remunicipalisation, PPPs and the values of public services
EPSU and affiliates contributed to the book Reclaiming public services. How cities and citizens are turning back privatization. We worked closely with campaigner and editor Satoko Kishimoto of Transnational Institute (TNI)