Eugenio Borella believes that EWCs should play a more prominent role in industrial relations. He also argues that relations between trade unions and international corporations cannot be solely limited to intra-European liaisons. The real game is played according to a global scenario. As we are talking to him, he’s just returned from Japan where he took part in a meeting of Tenaris international committee.
How was the meeting?
It depends what aspects we focus on. Our platform was launched in 2007 and now features representatives of eight countries. We meet once a year to share information and future expectations. But outlooks are not rosy. This year’s balance is down by 30%, but nevertheless we still in the black. Most painful issues are wages and employment and both indicators are going down. Regrettably, we, as the committee, are not able to do anything about it. The corporation has never recognised our organisation and we know all too well what is happening at our facilities. We are able to define a clear and complex vision of individual elements and identify our working conditions, but we are unable to confront the management. It’s a major issue.
But you did make attempts to put pressure on the management…
Two years ago, the committee met in Argentina which is the seat of Tenaris parent undertaking. It provided us with an opportunity to put pressure and have our committee recognised. We applied for a meeting with the Group’s CEO and planned to organise a strike or a demonstration if he refused. Eventually, we did not meet with the CEO, while local unionists were divided as to measures that should be put in place.
So what is the role of the international committee?
We undertake measures to raise the awareness of safety issues, we write appeals and letters. We organise solidarity actions, report all cases of union-busting practices. Once we managed to reinstate a Columbian worker who was unjustly fired.
Do you believe that EWCs may support such bodies like yours in the global context where individual entities enter into mutual relations?
It is possible, but for the time being EWCs are subject to various limitations and this is something we should keep in mind. EWCs are unable to conduct collective bargaining. It would be extremely useful if they have acquired such competence to have a greater impact on decisions of multinational organisations. Obviously, this isn’t easy. Such change would affect a number of areas and it would also require trade unions to weave some of their sovereignty. But it’s worth trying anyway.
Why?
In order to guarantee the same rights for all employees, regardless of their country of origin, and intervene, if inequalities triggered by dumping persist.
In certain respects, it seems that the international committee and EWCs are moving along parallel tracks, struggling with their own limitations and ambitions.
But these are also communities that speak the same language. Let me give you steel works as an example. Everybody knows that they generate pollution, so they are relocated outside Europe, what doesn’t fix the problem. On the contrary, it creates grounds for relocating all other operations overseas. I am convinced that we need global management of economic and social processes. I’m not saying that wages must be equalised, but there are some basic issues where it is essential to introduce regulations that apply to all countries. Such areas include safety, environmental protection or child labour. Having no control over employee rights in the global world, we are losing our footing in every respect.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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