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Representatives from UNI Global Union, France Telecom-Orange and several other organisations signed an agreement creating a Global Works Council Wednesday.



The GWC is intended to promote dialogue between France Telecom and workers in the several countries both in and outside Europe in which the company operates. As of March 2010, 43 percent of the company’s workers operated outside France with 12 percent holding jobs outside Europe.



This GWC was inspired by the creation of the European Works Council in 2004 and a UNI Global Agreement signed in 2006 on fundamental employee rights. The GWC agreement states that this is in addition to the UNI Global Alliance and does not subtract from that work. UNI is also a recognised expert for the Global Works Council.



Marcus Courtney, Head of UNI Telecom global union said, “After more than two years of hard negotiations with France Telecom-Orange and the unions, we are very pleased and excited that the negotiations concluded for a successful launch of the France Telecom-Orange GWC.”



France Telecom’s GWC was crafted by leaders from the company, Alliance Syndicale Mondiale UNI, French Unions and a delegation from the European Works Council. It shows the importance the company places on workers’ rights and is a huge step towards guaranteeing France Telecom upholds these rights.



This year the global agreement will bring together 33 representatives from across the world to share information and discuss the international issues important to both workers and the company. As France Telecom grows globally, every country with more than 400 employees will appoint at least one representative to serve for four years at the annual council.



Depending on representatives’ countries of origin, they may be either labour union representatives, representatives elected at employee forums or representatives directly elected by employees. France Telecom’s Chief Executive Officer will serve as Chairman of the council.



France Telecom is one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, employing nearly 160,000 people as of March 2009 and making more than 45 billion Euros worth of sales in that same year.



To see the full text of the agreement, click the link below or download the document under the related files tab at the top of the page.







Accord CGM signé 23.06.10 Version UK.PDF Accord CGM signé 23.06.10 version FR.PDF