Trade union representatives express concerns at Nokia Siemens Networks secretive attitude
Trade union representatives from Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Belgium have met today for a coordination meeting organised by the European Metalworkers Federation. The meeting comes in the wake of recent announcement by Nokia Siemens Networks’ management of drastic downsizing that will follow the merger between the two companies’ network activities. A 10 to 15% reduction in employment is expected following the merger, which will translate in the loss of about 6000 to 9000 jobs Europe-wide.
Trade union members and EWC representatives have expressed their discontent at the lack of transparency of the part of Nokia Siemens Networks. While employees’ representatives exercising their fundamental rights to be informed have required more details on the industrial strategy of the new corporate structure, they have been confronted to the secretive attitude of the management. Nokia Siemens Networks management have consistently refused to disclose any information on the new structure thus depriving employees’ representatives from the right to exercise their consultative role as per European law.
“Hiding behind so-called financial confidentiality is not a socially responsible attitude towards employees. To proceed with this merger without providing appropriate and transparent information about the future of the companies, especially at a time when substantial job losses have already been announced in the field of Telecommunication Technology and Systems in Europe is not a sustainable approach in terms of human resources management. Nokia and Siemens leave their employees in an unjustifiable state of anxiety” insisted Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary.
In advance of the merger that should finally take place on 1st April 2007, trade union representatives from different Nokia and Siemens sites around Europe have also stressed the need to accelerate their cooperation in the coming weeks and, among other future action, have decided to send a communication to the management of Nokia, Siemens and Nokia Siemens Networks to convey workers’ worries about the future of their employment.
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PRESS 6/2007
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
