multinationals and trade union work

Enfrentando el poder de las transnacionales

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Union initiatives to monitor responsible production and promote decent work in

transnational companies

Trade unions in the Netherlands2

Characteristics

Trade union freedomFreedom of negotiationFree choice of membershipWorks Councils


Structure (1)

Trade Union Confederations in the NetherlandsFNV (1,4 million members)CNVMHP


Structure (2)

FNV Unions

FNV Bondgenoten ABVAKABO FNV Bouw AOB FNV KIEM FNV Horecabond AFMP NPB FNV Mooi NVJ FWZ FNV Sport FNV Zelfstandigen


Structure (3)

Trade union confederation Trade unions

Structural dialogue on main social economic developments and issues

Employers’ organisationGovernment


Structure (4)

Trade union (FNV Bondgenoten)

Negotiation collective bargaining agreements (applicable to all employees and can be

defined generally binding by sector)

Companies


Structure (5)

Trade union (FNV Bondgenoten)

Representation and support

Union members


FNV Bondgenoten operates in:Trade sectorServices sectorTransport industryIndustrial sector (Heineken)Metal & Engineering/Metal & Electrical

EngineeringAgricultural sectorAnd is active for benefits claimants and retired

workers

Structure (6)


In the Netherlands, we do not have trade unions linked to a single company or even a single plant

Dutch legislation requires the establishing of works councils by which -to a degree- workers can participate in the governance of operating companies and individual plants

Structure (7)

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Global union federations

•Education International www.ei-ie.org

•International Federation of Building and Wood Workers www.ifbww.org

•International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Union www.icem.org

•International Federation of Journalists www.ifj.org

•International Metalworkers' Federation www.imfmetal.org

•International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation www.itglwf.org

•International Transport Workers' Federation www.itf.org.uk

•International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Association www.iuf.org

•Public Services International www.world-psi.org

•Union Network International www.union-network.orgOften, unions with members in several industries are affiliated to more than one GUF.

International trade union work

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In response to violation of workers’ (human) rights

In response to globalisation

In response to casualisation

Context International trade union solidarity

FNV Bondgenoten12

1. International trade union activities are part of normal trade union work

2. Dutch unions support unions world-wide (solidarity)

3. (Dutch) multinational companies are active in many countries

4. Decision making within multinationals is not necessarily done in the Netherlands

5. As trade union we fight the ‘race to the bottom’, casualisation

6. In order to promote the globalisation of workers’ rights, unions need to ‘globalise’ too

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Main goal

globalisation of workers’ rights

Method:

Researching labour standards within multinationals and their supply chains

Setting up international trade union networks in Dutch multinationals

c14

AholdAkzoNobelHeinekenINGPhilipsUnilever

Research Context

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1. Globalisation Economic and social globalisation Internationalisation of production chains Casualisation and transfer of labour Multiplicity of companies (who can be addressed for what?)

2. Digitalisation and social networking More information available (internet) New possibilities for networking and information exchange

(social media)

Transnational work: Challenges 16

Use multiplicity of companies to influence supply chain on more levels

Make agreements and influence decision making at international level

Use (digital) network possibilities for exchange information, pin pointing developments and develop joint action/response (social media)

Trade union networks17

Successful trade union initiatives are based on the triangle of information, networking and action

Action

Agreements with Transnationals

Networks

Information

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Social policy

Implementation

Strategy

Practice

Monitoring

Chain

Quality of policies?

Are policies properly implemented?

Is the company strategy in line withcompany policy?

What does it look like in practice?

How is monitoring handled?

What is the scope of the policy?

Influencing companies through research and networking

Research19

ThemesLabour rightsUnion-company relationsWorking conditionsOutsourcing, off shoringSupply chain

HowLocal research organisationsInformation gathered both from companies and unionsResults are used to initiate social dialogue between companies and

unions

Why are networks a good strategy?20

Multinationals themselves are organized into networks including vendors, supply chains, distribution channels, technology.

Why not use the same strategy in response to union organizing networks of workers within multinationals?

The union networks facilitate the exchange of information, extending the power of negotiating of workers and their representatives and, consequently, help to improve working relationships.

Working in networks can create an international force to oppose the power of multinationals.

Research findings21

Social policies scattered and diverseLittle or no contact with unionsLittle contact between unions within one countryRole of suppliers increasingly important but not

enough monitoring Increasing use of temporary contractsIncreased outsourcing and off shoringNo child or forced labourCompanies do have world-wide codes of conduct

Network results22

AkzoNobel: we now have close contact with ICEM (GUF) and the international union network is growing

Unilever: our networking and research helped in achieving international social dialogue with the company

ING: research in Romania was done with ING and is getting follow up

Philips: with IMF and international union network is being set up

Heineken: contact with Russia is difficult, now focussing on Mexico

General: multinationals have been put under pressure with respect to trade unions rights and specifically, protection contracts in Mexico

Trade union work within Heineken23

We are a national union, not a trade union linked to a single company or even a single plant

Dutch legislation requires the establishing of works councils by which -to a degree- workers can participate in the governance of operating companies and individual plants


FNV Bondgenoten is not the only trade union in Heineken, but by far the strongest.

In part of our activities we must and will consider other unions1. Terms of employment2. Regular consultations

Other activities do not require any great measure of cooperation with other unions and allow us the most to express our own points of view1. Individual services2. Relations to works councils


Collective labour agreement (2 CLAs, HNB and HG)

PensionsSocial Plan (what to do in case of redundancies)Technical work groups may work on more

difficult issues in between consecutive agreements

Collective labour agreements stipulate that Heineken facilitates (and partly funds) trade union activities


Regular consultations

On a regular basis (two or more meetings a year) national and local management invites trade unions’ representatives to inform them on current developments

These meetings have a social side: it is simply important to keep in contact.


Individual services

Individual services is the part of our activities where they have most impact on members and where we are most tangibly present

Individuals ask questions on terms of employment, on their rights and duties &c and want them to be answered by someone whom they trust to be knowledgeable and on their side

Conflicts with superiors sometimes come up. We give advice and if necessary accompany members (and even non-members) in talks with superiors

We can fall back on the union’s legal service for advice and legal action


Relations to Works Councils

Works councils and trade unions have different roles and competences. In cases councils and unions might even compete. Managers know this and make use of it.

Members of FNV Bondgenoten can be and are elected to the works councils

Close cooperation and coordination is required


International trade union work at Heineken

Affiliated to the IUF (UITA)Started networking with Russia, now at stand

stillResearch done by CILAS into protection

contracts and trade union relations in MexicoThis week first contacts with trade unions in

Mexico and with Heineken

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• Coca Cola worker alliance (IUF)• Unilever campaign (IUF)• Nestle watch (IUF)• CAL campaign (ICEM)• World day for decent work (ITUC)

Other trade union initiatives

multinationals and trade union work

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