Transnational Framework Agreements : New forms of work regulation Isabel da Costa (CNRS-IDHE Cachan) Conference on Regulating for Decent Work Geneva, 9 th July 2009
Outline Historical developments Origins of a transnational bargaining strategy at company level The European detour to TCB at company level European and global framework agreements about restructuring in the automobile sector European agreements at Ford and GM The new World Works Councils (WWC) at Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler and Renault
Transnational Framework Agreements (TFAs) 1996 ICFTU and International Trade Secretariats: «model code» 1998 ILO Declaration of Core Labour Standards (CLS) ITSs, called Global Union Federations (GUFs) since 2002, elaborate their own models for IFAs, all including at least ILO s CLS Before 2000 only 5 International Framework Agreements (IFAs) had been signed by ITSs, since 2000 over 60 IFAs have been signed by GUFs (and some of them co-signed by EWCs, WWCs and/or national unions, particularly in the metal sector) About 90% of IFAs have been signed with companies with headquarters in continental Europe; only one American and no Japanese nor British transnational firms have signed them TFAs also developed at the European level since 2000. They are signed by EWCs, European industry federations and/or national unions. We call them European framework agreements (EFAs). Their content is more diverse and substantial than IFAs. Pioneering EFAs on restructuring were signed in the highly unionized automobile sector. Transnational coordination between unions and EWC members is crucial and the EMF plays an important role.
14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Number of IFAs and EFAs signed per year IFA EFA 1989 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Geographical distribution of TFAs Germany France Netherlands Sweden Spain Norway Italy Luxembourg South Africa Denmark Belgium Greece Portugal Czech Republic EFA IFA Russia New Zealand Australia Canada USA UK Austria 0 5 10 15 20 25
Content of EFAs Restructuring Social dialogue H&S HRM + Social Management Data protection Other Fundamental rights Financial participation Sub-contracting Equal opportunities Training CSR 0 5 10 15 20 25
Ford European Agreements 25 January 2000 (Visteon) GFT (2000) «Memorandum of Understanding» (2000) Internal rules revision (2002) Agreement on Social Rights and Social Responsibility (2003) IOS Agreement (2004)
GM European Agreements GM-FIAT (2000) Luton (2001) Olympia (2001) Social Responsibility Agreement (2002) Framework Agreement (2004) Next Generation Compact Car allocation for Europe (2008) Outsourcing/Spin-off (2008)
DaimlerChrysler IFA Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility (2002) EFAs Information and consultation (May 2006) Adjustment of staff levels (September 2006) Realignment of European Sales Organization (2007)
Comparative Table Ford GM VW DC Renault World Council 1966-1989 1966-1994 1966/79-1993 1966-1971-1990 IMF IMF Network 2001 1999 2002 EWC 1996 1996 1990 1996 1993 World WC 1999 2002 2000 Recognized union expert EFA on Restructuring EFA on Social Responsibility IGM (EMF) +TCWU IGM (EMF) 2000, 2003, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2004 2008, 2008 2003 2002 IGM IGM (EMF+IMF) (EMF) 2006, 2007 IFA 2002 2002 2004 External Union EMF IMF IMF, EMF IMF Signature
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