The representatives unanimously denounced a speculative bid which was being undertaken with complete disregard for the interests of the employees and employment whilst being a very profitable operation for the shareholders. They also condemned the short-term financial rationale which – whatever the result of the take-over bid – would inevitably have an adverse affect on the investment and development capacity of the two companies and jeopardise employment.

Faced with the determination of Alcoa management, the European unions reconfirmed their willingness to take part in the safeguarding and development of an aluminium industry in Europe that takes account of the interests of all stakeholders, including employees.

At the meeting they communicated on:

Concern over employment and Europe’s industrial independence

The European trade unions’ view is that the planned take-over bid constitutes a serious danger for employees and employment in the two groups of companies. The unions fear that:

At a time when Alcoa management has made strong commitments regarding the transfer of R&D headquarters and activities towards the US and Canada, the European unions are concerned about the loss of Europe’s independence as regards aluminium. It is in fact vital that Europe maintain control of its R&D capacity in aluminium given the strategic importance of this industry for other industrial sectors such as aeronautics, automotive and packaging.

Taking all stakeholders into account

The European unions confirm their willingness to play a role in the safeguarding and development of an aluminium industry in Europe that produces stable and good quality jobs. They express the same demands for a packaging industry that can generate many jobs and which is an indispensable activity for our local food production and for maintaining hygiene and public health.

They call on both company managements to respect their commitment to the European social dialogue via their European Works Councils. They expect the two managements to provide information to the employee representatives and take their opinion into account before taking their final decision.

They reject the job-cuts, disinvestments and restructuring that could result from this takeover or any other alternative project. They are calling as of now for guarantees in respect of safeguarding industrial sites and R&D centres, industrial coherence and employment in order to maintain a vital component of the aluminium industry in Europe.

Whereas many guarantees have already been given to the shareholders and various authorities, it is urgent that the management of the two companies also shoulder their responsibilities with regard to their employees. It is urgent that they make strong commitments, as of now, so as to prevent it being their workforces that pay the cost of the consequences of this takeover bid. The European trade union coordination group and the European Works Councils will put forward demands to the two managements in respect of safeguarding jobs, sites and working conditions. It will also call on the European public authorities to ensure that the main concerns in this affair are employment, Europe’s industrial future and investments.

Let us shape the future together

The trade unions and the employee representatives confirmed the need to reinforce their coordination efforts at European level in order to maintain the European aluminium industry and ensure that employees’ interests are better taken into account. The European trade union coordination group decided:

· To undertake an information campaign in all the countries, and at all the locations, to raise employees’ awareness of the challenges and risks inherent in this takeover bid These actions will take place around 10th July - which is the deadline for the Alcoa bid.

· To establish an information network between the employees, and particularly the EWCs, to ensure transparency with regard to information.

· To draw the attention of the European public authorities, and especially that of the European Commission’s DG Employment and DG Enterprise, to the risks that this takeover represents for jobs and the European industry. It will also be a matter of alerting the European authorities to the risks of the current energy policy as well as to the excesses linked to the increased domination of companies by financial markets. These initiatives will be repeated at national government level.

· To call on DG Competition to hear the voice of the employees concerned in accordance with their right to be heard in this respect.

· To address the Alcoa and Alcan managements, via the EMF and the two EWCs, in order to set out their demands in favour of taking more account of employees’ interests.

· To call for the holding of a joint extraordinary meeting of the two EWCs on the challenges, risks and outlook with regard to the takeover.

Finally, the trade union coordination group has not excluded the possibility of organising a mobilisation campaign throughout Europe if and when necessary.

The European trade unions expect clear and concrete signals to be sent to the Alcoa and Alcan employees.

They seek guarantees as regards employment and a future for these employees.

At a time when reinforcing the construction of Europe is high on the agenda, they seek guarantees in respect of the safeguarding of a competitive, strategic and independent European aluminium industry.

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Press 41 /2007

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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
Isabelle Barthès, EMF Senior Adviser Tel. + 32 2 227 1012