News

Following the appointment of UniCredit's new Ceo Mr. Jean Pierre Mustier, the Select Committee of the EWC and the Trade Union Alliance of Unicredit issued the following joint statement:

The UniCredit European Works Council and UNI’s company TUA take note of the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors on 11 July 2016 concerning the appointment of  Unicredit Group's new C.E.O, Jean Pierre Mustier. The press release that accompanies the communication speaks of “a thorough revision of the strategy” involving all of the bank’s activities and indicates the objectives to pursue: capital strengthening, improvement of profitability, a more attentive risk rating and value enhancement for the stakeholders.

These objectives cannot be shared by the trade union organisations unless the problem of how to pursue them is handled with mutual responsibility. It depends on whether the objective of elimination of inequalities, privileges, duplicates, waste – starting from the expenses for high-priced external consulting services – investment into growth, development of human resources and professionalism and preservation of employment is selected; or whether the path of drastic cuts of the labour costs is chosen, cancelling dialogue with the trade unions.

It will be equally important to weigh the contribution that a “systemic” group, of which UniCredit is part of, intends to make to the recovery of the national economy in terms of support to the companies and correct management of the savings. In the same way, we reaffirm our complete disapproval of, and we will work against it, any hypothesis of transfer of assets and personnel outside the Group.

The UniCredit European Works Council and UNI’s Trade Union Alliance of the Banking group reaffirms the high strategic importance and indispensable value represented by the wealth of skills and expertise possessed by the Group Employees, that in the difficult economic phase characterising the last ten years have given their fundamental contribution for the keeping and relaunching of the Group.

The Strategic Plans of recent years have already imposed heavy sacrifices on the Employees Group, in terms of strong reductions of the workforce.

The management can not ask for more sacrifices! The responsibility of the wrong choices lies entirely with the top management.

The high level and quality of the agreements signed are the elements which, more than others, have worked out in these years. Their respect must be considered essential for the recovery of the Group. The history of Unicredit trade union relations has demonstrated how social dialogue is the only possible way of guaranteeing the solution of problems and the management of the impact of manager decisions.

Social dialogue must be relaunched, in terms of correct information and an effective and efficient consultation. We must restart from here.

Milan, July 15th, 2016

UNICREDIT EUROPEAN WORKS COUNCIL

UNI’s TRADE UNION ALLIANCE OF UNICREDIT