News

On 15 and 16 November 2011, workers’ representatives from Securitas, the Swedish-based private security company, gathered for two days in Lisbon, Portugal, on the occasion of its Annual meeting.

UNI Europa has a seat as an observer in the EWC and so has a representative from its affiliated organization from the country where the company has its headquarters, the Swedish Transport Workers’ Union.

Among the most important issues discussed were: a new Code of Conduct, the ongoing financial crises and its impact on the industry, a request for training on economic issues, the last employees’ survey and the revision of the EWC agreement.

In this respect, a working group has been set up to revise the current agreement. Workers representatives have asked UNI Europa to actively engage with them in the dialogue with the company and give advice on how improve the existing provisions.

Elections of the Chair of the EWC and Executive Committee members were also held during the first day of meeting.

On their side, Management pointed out that, in the current economic context, the pressure on prices is particularly harsh and the company has lost some contracts, with the most problematic situation being in France. Securitas European CEO lamented that due to unfair competition coming from smaller competitors and despite a policy of high value and quality services, the risk that customers will turn to cheaper providers and thus, of losing more contracts in the future, is likely to increase.

Generally speaking, workers’ representatives were quite satisfied with the meeting, although some of them, including UNI Europa, complained that the time spent with Securitas management was not enough to establish a meaningful dialogue and a proper and effective consultation.