The trade unions at various NSN sites, such as Düsseldorf and Berlin in Germany, Espoo in Finland, or Cassina and Marcianise in Italy, will organise general assemblies, walk outs or demonstrations to defend their jobs and the sustainability of their company and demand proper consultation on the rationale behind the announced job cuts.

In a meeting with trade union delegates on 25th May 2007, Nokia Siemens Networks management had confirmed the company’s plan to downsize 9,000 jobs. It further indicated that employees at some European sites would be outsourced. First figures confirm 1,700 lay-offs in Finland and 2,900 in Germany, affecting in particular the company’s research and development units. More job losses are expected in Belgium, Spain or the Netherlands.

“Nokia Siemens Networks, like Alcatel-Lucent, Airbus or Motorola, is one of the company cases, which cause deep concern regarding the future of the European ICT sector and high-added value industries in Europe. With Research and Development centres closing down and R&D investments shrinking, the credibility of the EU Commission’s Lisbon strategy of making Europe ‘the most dynamic and knowledge-based economy in the world’ is becoming tarnished” said Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary in a letter to Commissioner Verheugen yesterday.

The EMF will continue to urge NSN management to respect employees’ rights to proper consultation at national and European level, based on accurate and detailed information. It will continue to support its affiliates in their demands for sustainable and good quality jobs at Nokia Siemens Networks.

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PRESS 40/2007

The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European metal industry. The EMF has a mandate for the external representation and coordination of the metalworkers' unions and a mandate to engage in bargaining at European level.

For further information please contact:
Editor, Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary