News

Over 70 trade unionists from eleven different countries and representing workers in 13 key multinational packaging companies in the hygiene and corrugated packaging sector met in Madrid to discuss the roles and characteristics of the representative bodies in the sector. Representatives of EMCEF also participated in the seminar which has strengthened the co-operation within the hygiene and cardboard packaging industry.



The seminar was funded through the European Commission and was a follow up to the first seminar held in Pisa earlier in the year.



The President of UNI Europa Graphical & Packaging Simon Dubbins in his opening address referred to the meeting being held in the backdrop of the financial crisis and further cuts being imposed on workers. He said it was even more important now to have good functioning EWC’s and for unions to be organised.



An in-depth research paper prepared by Alpha Secafi was presented to the seminar and which provided analysis of the sector particularly around the changes in employment.



Case studies were presented to the seminar on improving communications within workplaces between the EWC’s and the workforce.



Participants also broke into workgroups and further analysed how to deal with the issue of restructuring and what the recast of the EWC directive means to workers. Concern was expressed at the importance of retaining vital jobs in this sector and not being forced into the continual ‘race to the bottom’ that restructuring imposes on workers.



The links between the European industry and the global dimension of the industry was also highlighted including the importance of strengthening these links through strong networks.



UNI Europa Graphical and EMCEF will seek further resources to organize a pilot training seminar involving union representatives of multinational companies from the sector on how to more efficiently prevent the risks to health and safety within the industry.



The conference concluded with a joint declaration being adopted which set out the actions needed to build on the success of this conference, both UNI Europa Graphical and EMCEF undertook to strengthen the cooperation in the future within the European operations and to improve the support for European works councils and better coordinate trade union action within the European area.



Contact, nicola.konstantinou@uniglobalunion.org