While it is not yet clear to all countries and NSN sites how hard they are going to be hit by the restructuring, the trade unions have unanimously decided to express their opposition to the plan.

The trade unions representing Nokia Siemens Networks employees around Europe:

- Demand that NSN management withdraw its unilateral restructuring plan

- Reject the announced 15% workforce downsizing

- Express their opposition to any possible site closure in Europe

- Oppose the announced outsourcing of activities at a number of sites

- Demand that relevant information be conveyed to the trade unions and employees’ representatives in all countries and that every job cut be justified on solid grounds so as to allow for a constructive dialogue between workers and management

- Will call for the opening of negotiations with a view to the rapid establishment of a European Works Council, which will allow employees to be consulted and coordinate a joint response at European level.

At a time when Europe is witnessing massive destruction of highly-qualified jobs in leading high-tech companies (Airbus, Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia Siemens Networks, etc.) the EMF raises grave concern at these recent trends.

”The metalworkers’ trade unions will undertake every effort to safeguard employment in the Information and Communication Technologies industry, which is all-important for Europe, and strongly urges the managements of the multinational companies to ensure that Europe continues to be a place of innovation and high-end technologies”, stated Peter Scherrer, the EMF General Secretary.

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PRESS 33/2007

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