Interactive Forum for EWC-members and conference participants

In order to continue the discussions on the conference’s topics, the SDA has set up an interactive forum for EWC-members. We are looking forward to your opinions and experiences on the following questions:

• (How) Did your EWC benefit from training?
• How does your EWC coordinate with national bodies?
• How is your EWC supported by trade unions?
• Which role did your EWC play in restructuring?

From an improved directive to an improved practice for European Works Councils – European Conference in Athens, 16-17 May 2011

During the first two days of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Congress, on 16-17 May 2011, the ETUC and the Social Development Agency (SDA) will welcome about 150 European Works Council members in Athens. They will participate to the European Conference “From an improved directive to an improved practice for EWCs” organised in the framework of an EU-funded project.
European Works Councils, as transnational bodies of worker representation within companies operating across borders in the EU, are one of the cornerstones of Social Europe. They play a crucial role in allowing for workers’ representatives to be informed and consulted by management, at European level, on the developments within their company and on any transnational decision that could have an impact on the workforce. These bodies are therefore vital to ensure sound corporate governance and to make the workers’ voice heard by management before strategic decisions are taken. The new EU legislation on EWCs, recast directive 2009/38/EC, has come into force in 2009 and is due to be transposed by the member states into national law by 5 June 2011. This directive grants EWCs with stronger and clearer rights to be informed and consulted and with better means to apply these rights.
These improvements in the EU legal framework respond to longstanding demands of the European Trade Union movement. It is now important to highlight that this new directive is the minimum level of expectations that workers in multinational companies should have!
It is in this context that the EWC Conference of Athens will go one step further and examine how European workers can go “from an improved directive to an improved practice for EWCs”. The conference will aim at highlighting and raising awareness on the new rights, definitions and tools provided by the recast EWC directive, as well as connecting them with concrete experiences of EWCs.
EWC members from all over Europe and across sectors will intervene and discuss the practical relevance of these newly improved rights, among others the more precise definitions of information and consultation, the access to training and the duty to inform the workforce. Experts and representatives of the European Trade Union Federations will also provide an introduction to these topics and contribute to the debate with their assessment.
The Conference will be articulated around three thematic sessions. On Monday afternoon, the first session will focus on the clearer competences for EWCs based on the new definitions and stronger rights provided by the recast EWC directive. The second session, on Tuesday morning, will touch upon the “means” to apply those rights and assess whether EWCs are equipped with better tools to play an effective role in practice. During the third session, on Tuesday afternoon, participants will discuss about the role of EWCs to tackle company restructuring and anticipate change.
Representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee, as well as the European Trade Union Confederation will also participate and contribute to this Conference. Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary designate of ETUC, will draw conclusions and provide future perspectives on worker participation at European level.
Access the draft agenda (EN) (FR) (DE) and the ETUC website on its Congress (http://www.etuc.org/r/1657)

INFOPOINT - Budget Line 04030303

The call for proposals VP/2011/003 (EC budget line 04.03.03.03 on information, consultation and participation rights of workers representatives in undertakings) is finally published on the website of the Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=630&langId=en&callId=295&furtherCalls=yes We hereby inform you of the following changes, in comparison to the previous years: Concerning the calculation of the daily cost of staff involved in the project team: this daily cost was previously calculated by dividing the total gross annual salary by 220 working days. Promoters now need to take the average of 225 working days per year to calculate this cost (unless they chose to use the detailed formula listed in page 20 of the call, which takes into consideration the exact days of annual holidays and statutory holidays of the staff involved in the project). Concerning the sub-contracting for external expertise: promoters do not need to include the draft tender specifications in the application dossier any more. They still need, however, to include the two following annexes on this issue: the “declaration on subcontracting” and the annex referred to as “contracts for implementing the action”. Concerning the implementation of the project activities (once you have received the funding from the Commission): promoters now have to distribute a participant feed-back/evaluation form at every event organized in the context of the project. The contents of this feed-back/evaluation will have to be communicated to the Commission at the time of submitting the final report at the end of the project. We remind you that the first deadline for submission of project applications was anticipated to 28 March 2011, so do not hesitate to call upon the assistance of the SDA INFOPOINT and to send us your project ideas as soon as possible !

SDA support for Project Promoters: Project setting up workshop on 8-9 March 2011

The Infopoint Helpdesk is there to help promoters applying for the 04.03.03.03 budget line. In addition to an individual support, the SDA organises a workshop for project promoters under the 03 budget line on 8-9 March 2011 taking place in Brussels. During the workshop SDA experts will present the content and the requirements of the 03-budget line. You will learn how to plan your project and to write a project description. Furthermore you will receive feedback on your concrete project ideas. If you wish to participate, please register until February 11th. See the draft agenda (http://www.sda-asbl.org/testiPdf/Programme%20INFOPOINT%20workshop%208-9%20March%202011.pdf) and the registration form (http://www.sda-asbl.org/testiPdf/Registration%20form%20INFOPOINT%20workshop%20March%202011.pdf). Please make also use of the SDA Vademecum (http://www.sda-asbl.org/testiPdf/2010%20Vademecum%20EN.pdf) providing detailed support on the 04.03.03.03 budget line.

"The practical exercise of information and consultation rights" - SDA workshop 18-19 October 2010

About 30 worker representatives in EWCs from all over Europe met in Brussels on October 18 and 19 to exchange their practical experiences on information and consultation rights in EWCs. The aim of the SDA workshop, organised in the framework of the EU-funded INFOPOINT project, was to identify “lessons to be learnt” for the practical implementation of information and consultation rights. During the workshop, five EWC representatives presented their experiences and EWC activities, namely UPS, Avaya, DHL, Vaillant and Thales. In addition Romuald Jagodzinski from the ETUI argued, why going to court should just be an ultima ratio for EWC, since appropriate sanctions for companies infringing the EWC rights are often lacking. You you can download the agenda and the presentations on our website (http://www.sda-asbl.org/ActivitieScelta.asp?IdAttivita=11).

European Works Councils: a trade union guide to Directive 2009/38/EC

This guide has been developed by the ETUC in order to help trade unionists and practitioners dealing with European Works Councils around Europe play an active role and get the most out of the new provisions of the recast EWC directive 2009/38/EC. It is an article-by-article legal commentary, written in an accessible style so that it can be used by everybody interested in European Works Councils and their functioning. The guide analyses the provisions of the recast directive and compares them with the previous directive. It interprets the provisions from a trade union perspective, but also mentions other types of readings on critical issues. Download the English version from the ETUI website(http://www.etui.org/research/activities/Workers-representation/Reports-and-working-papers/Report-114.-European-Works-Councils-a-trade-union-guide-to-directive-2009-38-EC) A German and a French version will be published in September.

Budget heading 04.03.03.03 – Second Deadline on 3rd September 2010

The SDA Infopoint team would like to remind you on the second deadline for the submission of project proposals under the 04.03.03.03 budget heading on information, consultation and participation of workers in 2010. You have to submit your project application until 3rd September 2010 for projects commencing no earlier than 3rd November 2010 and no later than 22nd December 2010. The online application form has been reopened after the first deadline on 3rd May. You can download the call for proposal and further information on the application procedure on the website of the European Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=630&langId=en&callId=242&furtherCalls=yes). The budget line is funding among others transnational meetings, trainings, papers and publications to strengthen employee involvement at company level, such as in European Works Councils, SE organs or national works councils. SDA experts are ready to support you in developing your project ideas and drafting your applications. Please also look at the updated Vademecum with detailed support for project promoters. According to information of the European Commission, 18 projects have been accepted in the first deadline. The call for proposals has earmarked a budget of 4.1 million EUR for the second deadline.

The new European Works Council Directive - the European Trade Union Confederation informs

The ETUC has recently published a leaflet presenting the content of the new European Works Council Directive, explaining the improvements made and pointing to crucial issues to be considered when interpreting the directive. Even though the new Directive does not respond to all the trade union demands made, the ETUC is satisfied that EWCs will be better equipped with the tools they need for a stronger right to information and consultation.
The leaflet is available in English (upload The new recast directive def), French (upload la nouvelle directive) and German (upload the new recast directive D).
Also look at the common recommendations by the European industry federations on how to negotiate EWC agreements during the transposition period (5 June 2009 to 5 June 2011).

SDA WORKSHOP ON THE TRANSPOSITION OF THE RECAST EWC DIRECTIVE

On May 27th 2010, SDA will organise a thematic workshop in Brussels with the title "One year after the adoption of the new EWC directive (2009/38/EC) - discussion on legal issues".
The workshop will represent the occasion to gather experts among academics, trade unionists and practitioners, in order to discuss the difficulties and the opportunities of the transposition.
On September 27th and 28th 2010 a more practical oriented workshop on the practical exercise of information and consultation rights is further planned by SDA.

For further information contact the SDA (sda@etuc.org)
Draft agenda (draft agenda)

NEW Vademecum on the submission of a project on 04030303 budget line in 2010

This publication is a guide for the social partners intending to submit a project under the 04030303 EC budget line. It provides assistance to any eligible promoter throughout the preparation of the bid. It covers various aspects of the project preparation work, including an explanation of the objectives of the call for proposals 2010; practical hints on how to deal with the SWIM form; useful tips about how to structure a project description and to estimate a budget. The text also includes examples of awarded projects.

Project Setting-Up Workshop

SDA is organising as part of the Infopoint Project a 2-day “project setting-up” workshop, which will take place in Brussels on 3 and 4 March 2010. It is targeted at promoters who have the intention to submit a project proposal under this budget line (as unions or as EWC members) but who do not have much (or any) experience in such procedures. This workshop, of which the working languages will be French and English, will give participants the possibility to set-up project application dossiers to be presented at the Commission, as well as providing them with the opportunity of meeting other participants with the view of creating partnerships. We are able to reimburse the travel and subsistence costs for 20 participants, and places will therefore be allocated on a 'first come-first served' basis. Please contact us and register until 10 February 2010. Download the registration form and the draft agenda

Calls for Proposals 2010

We would like to inform you that the European Commission has now published the new calls for proposals 2010 for the following budget headings: - 04.03.03.01 on "Industrial Relations and Social Dialogue" (1st deadline on 16 March 2010). - 04.03.03.02 on "Information and training measures for workers' organisations" (1st deadline on 20 April 2010) - 04.03.03.03 on "Information, Consultation and Participation of representatives within undertakings" (1st deadline on 9 April 2009). All relevant information is available online:
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=630&langId=en

As in the previous years, the "INFOPOINT" project carried out by SDA/ETUC offers assistance free of charge to promoters in the preparation and setting-up of projects to be submitted under this budget line. In order to provide you with an efficient assistance, please send us your draft project proposals and we will discuss with you personally any modifications, if necessary, or potential improvements.

Brainstorming Workshop on the utilization of the `03 budget line

SDA is organising a brainstorming workshop on the utilisation of the 04.03.03.03 budget line at the Thon Hotel Brussels on February 25th-26th. Its aim is to support promoters in developing their project ideas and applications and to identify and open-up new paths for the launch of strategic projects in the future.
View the draft program.

Recommendations on the new EWC directive 2009/38/EC

The European Trade Union Sector Federations have drafted common recommendations on negotiating EWC agreements during the transposition period (5 June 2009 to 5 June 2011).
They can be downloaded at the section “Publications” in several languages.

Directive 2009/38/EC on European Works Councils (recast)

The text of the recast of the Directive 2009/38/EC on European Works Councils is available online. If you wish to see the text in other languages, please go on this page.

Reform and trade unionism in the Mediterranean Region (under the mandate of ETUC and in partnership with USTMA - EIDHR EuropeAID budget line).

SDA, as the promotor, is responsible for the running of this project in close cooperation with USTMA (confederation of Arab Maghreb Trade Unions) and with the ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation). The countries targeted by this project are : Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan and Palestinian territories. The project focuses on strictly trade union topics, such as : adaptation of trade union statutes and internal rules as well as financial management of trade union organisations, the capacity to play an active role in collective bargaining, the role of women in trade union organisations, the challenge of trade union pluralism, and the relations between trade unions and the media. Project website: http://www.euromed-trade-union-forum.org/

SDA and ETUC thank all the participants to the European Works Councils (EWCs) Conference held on 23rd and 24th March 2009 in Brussels:

The recast EWC directive:
Better information and consultation rights for European Works Councils?
You can find and download documents and presentations relative to the Conference in the section "Activities" of the SDA website, or just clicking on the link below
Click here for the webpage of the Conference in English

CALLS FOR PROPOSALS 2009

We would like to inform you that the European Commission has now published the new calls for proposals 2009 for the following budget headings: - 04.03.03.01 on "Industrial Relations and Social Dialogue" (1st deadline on 2 March 2009). - 04.03.03.03 on "Information, Consultation and Participation of reprensatives within undertakings" (1st deadline on 16 April 2009). All relevant information is available online: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=630&langId=en

NEW PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING A SECOND PRE-FINANCING FOR YOUR '03 PROJECT

The European Commission has established new modalities (via the SWIM-SAGA website) for requesting a second pre-financing and submiting an interim (activity and financial) report in the framework of the call for proposals VP/2007/003. Please click here for the check-list concerning the new modalities to be followed if you are going to request a second-prefinancing. These new modalities are compulsory, so please read carefully the check-list. A "User manual" (with more details) concerning this new process will be published very soon by the European Commission.

Call for Proposals 2008

We would like to inform you that the European Commission has now published the new calls for proposals 2008 for the budget heading 04.03.03.01 on "Industrial Relations and Social Dialogue" (1st deadline on 14th of March), 04.03.03.02 on "Information and training measures for workers' organisations" (deadline on 25th of April) and 04.03.03.03 on "Information, Consultation and Participation of reprensatives of undertakings" (1st deadline on 31st of March).
The application forms (SAGA) will be available starting from the 31st of January 2008.
All relevant information is available online:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/emplweb/tenders/index_calls_en.cfm

Revision of the EWC directive

Call for action

The European Commission will soon launch the second phase consultation on the revision of the EWC directive on the basis of Article 137.3. The revision is namely already several years overdue despite precise proposals for amendments made by the ETUC.

BUSINESSEUROPE is lobbying heavily against any concrete action by the European Commission and the German employers organisation BDA has written to the President of the European Commission and to Commissioner Vladimir Spidla to oppose the announced second phase consultation, claiming that it would damage the European Social Dialogue.

In the wake of BUSINESSEUROPE's move, other national employer organisations will probably start lobbying against the EWC revision vis-a-vis the European Commission and their national governments.

The ETUC therefore asks its affiliates and EWCs to send a letter to the European Commission and to Commissioner Spidla, with a copy to their labour ministries, to ask them to support the European Commission in order to get the EWC directive revised in 2008.

Herewith the five key questions for EWCs to be addressed in the letters to the EU Commission:

1. When was your EWC established and what are your experiences in general?
2. In which areas (if any) does your EWC agreement go beyond EU directive 94/45/EC? (For example: number of meetings, do EWC members have access to all sites of the company, provision for training measures)
3. Have you always received information in time and have the consultations been adequate? Have you ever had a problem with the confidentiality of information?
4. Has the management recognised trade union representatives as experts?
5. What are the core demands for the revision of the EWC directive based on your experiences?

“European Works Councils of state, municipal and private energy companies facing mergers, restructuring and outsourcing – common perspectives and responses” (VS/2006/0657)

This joint project of SDA and EPSU (European Federation of Public Service Unions) will seek to support efforts by trade unions and EWCs in the electricity and gas companies to understand the social implications of the European internal market for electricity and gas and its impacts on the companies. The focus is on the role of EWCs in dealing with restructuring including the understanding of the perspectives of the development of the market. This can be linked to the European Commission energy sector inquiry, the evaluation of the European Commission of the internal market, the proposals/options contained in the Green Paper, etc. The main event of this project took place on 1st and 2nd March 2007, which was a conference with around 140 participants coming from nearly all European countries. Representatives of EWCs, trade unions, employers and the EU discussed hot topics of the energy sector. Further information please find here: http://www.epsu.org/a/2817