Dedalus and Arianna

Valentina Cappelletti came into contact with the European Works Councils about fifteen years ago, when as a trade unionist for Fiom, she dealt with multinational companies based in Milan. It was then that she established relationships with some EWC delegates. What she highlights about EWCs is their strategic potential, and most notably their ability to influence corporate decisions.

Where does this conviction of yours come from?

From the experiences I have had. I remember when Otis wanted to move part of their production to Eastern Europe. We managed to prevent that from happening by relying on the role of the works council, and by building a fruitful relationship between everyone.

Speaking of which, are there any critical issues between EWCs and trade unions?

We are overcoming them. The greatest difficulties were related to the sloppy approach we had as officials concerning European issues, which led the members of the works councils to act on their own. But, I repeat, by dint of directly experiencing the obvious connection between local and global, things are now changing. Gradually, we have come to understand that the skepticism with which trade unionists approached the councils initially has to be abandoned. On the other hand, dealing with it is also a way to influence them. CGIL can contribute a lot within a committee. It does it constantly, choosing delegates from within who will be sent to discuss matters with the executives of the multi-nationals.

How do you feel about the possibility of allowing EWCs to negotiate?

Personally, I am in favor of a pragmatic approach. Before defining this particular kind of negotiation legally, let’s give the most developed EWCs the opportunity of putting it into practice. I believe it is the best way to mature the necessary experience, reducing the fears that are usually associated with important changes. There is a lot to do, first: we have to test the different company cultures of the different Groups, target the training processes better, and everyone needs to feel more involved. In short, we should openly experiment this perspective before formalizing it.

Which typical aspect of the EWC do you believe could positively influence the way unions operate at a national level?

Multiculturalism. Nowadays, it is only through the works councils that we confront each other on a transnational level. However, I believe we should look abroad to redesign our union skills regardless of the EWC. It’s a matter of open-mindedness, which would allow us to refine our in-house strategic capacities.

So do you mean a sort of mind-set?

I would go even further. The EWC offers us an overall vision, and places corporations in a setting made of connections, causes and effects, business and financial flows. I think we should use the same glance to interpret the functioning of companies that are different from the big multinational Groups. These are nothing but the example by excellence of network companies, but they are not the only ones. Italy has many manufacturing companies, which, although they are not multi-nationals, have a strong international profile and an organizational structure. So, yes! Let’s open our mind – let’s open it up to the world.