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Unions condemn lack of company consultation

26/07/06

Trade unions who met with TNT in The Hague yesterday condemned the company for refusing to begin proper negotiations on the future of the 36,000 workers of its soon to be sold logistics division.

Global union federations the ITF and UNI spoke of their disappointment that, just days before a bidder is likely to be announced, TNT - who had responded to their invitation to meet informally - was not willing to take the next step and discuss the future for its 36,000 employees whose jobs are ‘up for sale’.

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and UNI (Union Network International), representing unions from around the globe, have not opposed the sale of TNT Logistics but are very clear in their support for workers directly and indirectly affected by it. Workers are simply asking TNT to ensure that existing terms and conditions, collective bargaining and working arrangements are a condition of the sale to a new buyer - see www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/766/region/1/section/0/order/1

The unions note that the company strongly promotes itself as a socially responsible employer, yet it only appears ready to consult unions where it is forced by legislation to do so. For example, despite having some 20% of its total global Logistics workforce in the UK, the company has refused to enter into consultations with the Transport & General Workers’ Union, which represents 15,000 TNT employees. The experience has been similar in other countries.

John Pedersen, UNI Assistant General Secretary, commented: “While TNT puts itself at the forefront of corporate social responsibility by signing up to initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact, its lack of any meaningful dialogue with unions shows that this is little more than rhetoric.”

As of today the company has refused to enter into any formal direct negotiations with the trade unions on this issue. Stuart Howard, ITF Assistant General Secretary stated: “While we are extremely disappointed at the company’s attitude, it is still not too late for them to commit to these key issues. The people who work for TNT are being kept in the dark. Unions will mobilise to press for a just and transparent process of sale which protects workers’ rights and conditions of employment. This will include seeking an urgent dialogue with the preferred bidder when their identity becomes known.”

Unions from more than 20 countries, jointly coordinated by the ITF and UNI, have proposed a global Guarantee of Workers Rights (see below) aimed at protecting the 36,000 employees whose jobs are up for sale. The unions believe that agreeing to a proposed set of minimum guarantees will provide a stable framework for the sale and beyond and will take their case to TNT’s largest clients and the wider trade union movement if necessary. They urge both TNT and the prospective buyer to enter meaningful talks with unions on these issues.

TNT Global Commitments on Workers Rights

The trade unions organising in TNT Logistics are seeking commitments from TNT and any prospective buyers, which should apply to all TNT Logistics operations and subsidiaries and subcontractors around the world, including:

1. That TNT should have a meaningful dialogue with the trade unions concerning the selection of the buyer, who themselves should have a genuine commitment to social rights in the workplace, union recognition and collective bargaining. The unions must be provided with the opportunity of a dialogue with the proposed buyer at the earliest opportunity.

2. That job security will have the highest priority, with any proposals on future restructuring negotiated with the appropriate national trade unions. Maximum job security must be maintained during both the transfer period and beyond.

3. That any new buyer must commit to the continuation of all existing national collective bargaining arrangements as well as rights of union recognition and representation across its global operation.

4. That any new buyer must commit to maintain all existing terms and conditions of employment, with any future changes negotiated with the appropriate national trade unions.

5. That all existing employee pension rights and the ongoing funding of employee pension schemes must be guaranteed

6. That a global dialogue should be instituted with ITF/UNI - including appropriate national affiliated unions - concerning decisions affecting the company’s global operations, including a mechanism to monitor the implementation of these commitments and to ensure a smooth and stable process in labour relations for the transfer process and beyond.

This call is supported by Global Union Federations and trade unions representing workers in TNT Logistics worldwide workforce.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation
Union Network International
The International Metalworkers’ Federation
ABVAKABO FNV, Netherlands
FNV Bondgenoten, Netherlands
Federazione Lavoratori Metalmeccanici FIM-FIOM-UILM/FLM,  Italy
Transport and General Workers’ Union, Great Britain
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United States
Transport Workers’ Union, Australia
Australian Services Union, Australia
3F, Denmark

ENDS

For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org

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