The challenge is to turn the laudable aspirations of the Accord into tangible and practical activity. The first tentative steps in this process took place at an International Seminar held in Paris from the 26th to 28th March 2010.
The CGT delegates represented various regions of France. The UNISON delegation consisted of regional and national representatives as well as members of the International department.
The seminar kicked off on Friday afternoon with an overview of each unions’ structures and policies. It was interesting to learn about the different approach to workplace organisation by CGT.
In France the central bargaining unit is the Works Council. CGT puts the emphasis on winning the ‘Professional’ elections. for worker representatives. This strategy gives the union access to key roles within the workplace, including seats on Company Boards and Works Councils. The elected representative then negotiates and represents all staff irrespective of their union or non-union membership.
There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to this approach. It increases the influence of the CGT in the workplace and ensures that the union can mobilise the entire workforce to resist an employer’s challenge to terms and conditions of employment. The downside is that the membership of the union is relatively low. This then impacts on the finances and resources at the union’s disposal.
Saturday’s session covered the current financial climate and the effect on Public Services. There was an interesting discussion on the impact on Public Services following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty. All European national governments, irrespective of their political composition, have endorsed the EU Commission's neo-liberal agenda. This agenda has a single market based on a market economy at its heart. This means a drive towards small, ‘lean’ government, low tax and a regulation framework in the interests of business. Services are viewed as commodities which must be exposed to competition.
Privatisation and erosion of workers pay, terms and conditions and pensions become the major challenges facing both unions. In this hostile climate it is imperative that both CGT and UNISON, along with sister unions in other EU countries, share information and work closely in order to protect services as well as combatting attacks from privateers, especially companies such as EDF, VEOLIA and SUEZ.
The seminar closed with a wide ranging debate on the plight of migrant workers and also the current situation in the Middle East. Israel was roundly condemned for its blatant flaunting of International Law, especially with regard to its continued development of illegal settlements. Both unions supported the position that peace in the Middle East can only be achieved on the basis of a two state solution whereby both Palestinians and Israelis can live in free and independent states. There was some difference between the two unions on the boycott strategy. CGT believe the time is not yet right to call for a consumer boycott of Israel, although they do support a boycott of goods imported from the illegal settlements. CGT delegates also voiced their condemnation of Hamas’ attacks on the Palestinian trade unions.
The rise of racism and the perilous position of migrant workers were also explored. Both unions outlined the efforts they were taking to combat the exploitation and discrimination of vulnerable migrant workers.
The very successful seminar concluded with an agreement to meet again soon in order to develop the different themes emerging from the weekend. Top of the agenda will be to work on developing closer ties between all sections of the unions including branch and service group/sector committees.
http://www.cgt.fr/