ECB: 400 employees strike for workers’ rights

Publié: 4 Juin 2009
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 UNI Global Union stands in solidarity with the workers at the European Central Bank (ECB) who held a 90 minute strike on Wednesday to demand collective bargaining rights. Four-hundred workers, members of the International and European Public Services Organization (IPSO), walked off the job in protest.



“The success of the warning strike shows that the ECB misjudged the commitment of staff to defend their rights,” said Oliver Roethig, Head of UNI Finance. “It is high-time for President Trichet and the ECB to enter constructive negotiations with IPSO.”



UNI Europa’s Executive Committee and the European Trade Union Confederation have issued a statement of support for the workers.



“UNI Finance and the entire trade union movement stand behind IPSO and ECB workers,” said Roethig. “We want an ECB that is an example of best practices, not only in terms of central bank activities but also in terms of how it deals with its staff. The two are connected! Especially in times of financial turmoil, Europe needs a well functioning and democratic ECB – and this now is at stake.”



“As the high level of media attention across Europe indicates, the ECB’s credibility and efficiency depends on good relations with employees. Having 1/3 of staff out on the street, sends a clear signal that this is not the case.”



The right to collective bargaining is one of the core labour standards recognised by virtually every democratic state, the United Nations and the European Union. This includes constructive and comprehensive dialogue, including collective bargaining. The signal to President Trichet of the protesting ECB staff was very impressive and should lead him to reconsider his inflexible position.



For the European Union, just before the elections of the European Parliament, the ECB sets a bad example. As a European institution, even an independent one, the ECB must abide by the principles of labour law as practiced by the member states and legislated by the EU. Otherwise, it puts its own status and the EU into disrepute.