EMF and Alstom sign European Agreement

Last week, Alstom management and EMF signed an agreement on social commitments during the transition period of the Alstom-Shanghai Electric Joint Venture on Boilers. The request for a European agreement is actually a direct result of the social dialogue between the Alstom European Works Forum and management on the social terms and conditions of this Joint venture.

The agreement, in French and English, is available here.

Belgian Unions' Joint Statement and Call to Strike

version française disponible

A united trade union front involving several Belgian unions (ABVV, CSC, ACV, ACLVB) has called for a general strike on 30 January 2012. They explain why they are organising strike action in a joint press release:

"Proper consultations in respect of the unbalanced agreement reached by the government are only gradually being put into place and are not very conclusive.

ARCELORMITTAL: Outcome of Social Dialogue Group meeting and TU follow-up

The ArcelorMittal Social Dialogue Group (the joint management and trade union body) met, as scheduled, on 12^th January to discuss the current situation within the company and also the effects of the hugely successful European Action Day organised by the EMF and its affiliates on 7^th December 2011.

IF Metall’s President Stefan Löfven to lead the Swedish Social Democratic Party

Yesterday, the IF Metall President Stefan Löfven was proposed as the new leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party.
“With his very long and solid background in the trade union movement, Stefan will be an excellent leader of the Social Democratic Party. He has the power that can give stability and strength to our party”,says Anders Ferbe, IF Metall Vice-President.

The formal election by the party is due to take place today.

Please find a link to the IF Metall website.

Unitary trade union strike in Italy

A successful 3-hour strike organised by the EMF’s three Italian affiliates FIOM-CGIL, FIM-CISL and UILM took place on 12 December. The unions were protesting against social injustice and attacks on workers’ rights. They also demanded an effective industrial policy to safeguard employment.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! EUROPEAN WORKERS FIGHT AGAINST AUSTERITY AND FOR A BETTER AND FAIRER FUTURE

French version here

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) supports actions organised at national level by its affiliates to fight against austerity and for a fairer and better future.