Taking a more active role in the company policy

In the short- term, this project will aim to raise awareness amongst ETF affiliates of the regional railway policy. "And the long - term objective is to enable railway unions to participate actively in the drawing up of company policy," explains Christina Tilling from the ETF.
These needs of the participants were identified during a seminar on privatisation of state railway companies from Baltic countries - September 2000. In Baltic countries, the railway unions hold a difficult position. There the railway sector is undergoing two major processes, both of which will have a strong long-term impact on the employed labour force: restructuring/ liberalisation under the recommendation of the EU; and development of railway system as a part of the European transport network.

The problem is: Railway unions are not consulted in the restructuring and liberalisation of railway companies. In the context of the economic transition, the railway unions from Baltic countries understand, that, whilst striving to maintain their membership, they have to adjust to the new economic policies tailored according to internal needs and external requirements, the latter being increasingly important particularly in the context of enlargement.
In the recent years railway unions have witnessed the increase of consulting firms' influence on company policies. They, together with employer/ national government are the only decision making factors in drawing up this policy. Railway unions are rarely consulted and only as long as their input serves the wanted final outcome. In some occasions, governments put pressure on railway unions to agree with the solutions proposed by consultative firms, under the argument that these solutions are compulsory pre-conditions for enlargement!
They are therefore keen on taking a more active role in the company policy in order to be able to control its effects on their membership.

View the agenda for the seminar below

For further information please contact Christina Tilling: c.tilling@etf-europe.org

Useful links:

www.europa.eu.int

http://www.europa.eu.int (pdf)

17 September Increasing the railway unions' role in the implementation of pan-European transport policy in the context of enlargement.

09:00 - 10:00	Opening session - by Latvian Railroad Trade Union (LRTU) and the ETF. Welcome of participants and presentation of the purpose of the seminar -by Savelij Semionov. Introducing the ETF aims & objectives, activities and policies - by Cristina Tilling

10:00 - 11:00	Presentation - The ETF and the European social dialogue - by the ETF & the EU Mission to Riga (to be confirmed). The ETF and the sectoral social dialogue at the European level - by Sabine Trier. The EU's view on the involvement of social partners in the implementation of regional railway policy in the context of enlargement - guest from the EU Mission in Riga (to be confirmed).

11:00 - 11:30	Coffee break

11:30 - 13:00	Discussion - the social dialogue in Baltic countries - chaired by Savelij Semjonov; contributions from Baltic countriesThis session will consist of presentations of current situation of the social dialogue at national & branch levels in the Baltic countries

13:00 - 14:00	Sandwich break

14:00 - 15:00	Presentation - Globalisation, regional integration and the railway transport - by the ETF Globalisation and rail transport: the effect of globalisation on transport, with a focus on rail transport - by Cristina Tilling. EU legislation and policies in the railway sector to be implemented in the candidate countries - by Sabine Trier

15:00 - 16:30	Discussion - the response of railway unions from Baltic countries to globalisation & regional integration - chaired by Al. Muhlinkins. Debate on the role of railway unions in the local implementation of the EU policies (restructuring and liberalisation of state railway enterprises)

September 18 The involvement of railway unions in the company policy - from regional to company level.

09:00 - 10:30	Discussion - factors involved in the determination of railway company policy - chaired by Savelij Semionov; contributions from participants from Baltic countries, Russia and Ukraine. This session will be focused on specific cases of restructuring of railway companies; participants will also identify problems related to the involvement of railway unions in the policy-making process at company level.

10:30 - 11:00	Coffee break

11:00 - 13:00	Presentation - The role of consulting companies in the policy-making process of the railway companies in Baltic countries - by consultant Vladimir Irishkov (including a "question & answer session" where trade union representative will have the opportunity to ask questions based on concrete case)
13:00 - 14:00	Sandwich break

14:00 - 15:30	Discussion - concrete solutions to improve trade union participation in the policy-making process in railway companies - chaired by Savelij Semionov

September 19

10:00 - 13:00	Special trade union workshop - the role of trade unions in safeguarding working conditions and other trade union rights - chaired by Savelij Semionov. This session will include a comparison between working conditions and social standards in Baltic countries and Member States - contribution from participants from Baltic countries and guests from Member States

Chair persons: Savelij Semionov - President, Latvian Railway Trade Union Al. Muhlinkins - Vice president, Latvian Railway Trade Union Resource people: Sabine Trier - ETF Railway Section Secretary Cristina Tilling - ETF Coordinator for Central and Eastern Europe Vladimir Irishkov - consultant Contributions: Claudia Menne - TRANSNET Representative of the EU Mission to Riga - to be confirmed Local organiser: Latvian Railroad Trade Union (Latvijas Dzelzelnieku Arodbiedriba) Dzirnavu str. 147a Riga LV-1050 President: Savelijs Semjonovs Contact person: Inese Rudae Tel: +371 583 4466 Fax: +371 721 3558