Communiqué, issue 3, 2004
Articles
- Foundation findings place family policies back on the agenda
- Social policy a priority for Dutch EU Presidency
- Monitoring industrial change in Europe: future prospects
- Quality of life in Europe: theme of the next information campaign
- Increasing number of lay-offs in the first quarter of 2004
- Trends and drivers of change in the European railway sector
- Benchmarking the quality of industrial relations in the public sector
- Changing attitudes toward financial participation
- The Foundation’s ‘open-door’ policy
Previous issues of Communiqué
In response to a request by Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Stavros Dimas on the situation within the railway sector, EMCC drew up a brief analysis of the trends and drivers of change likely to shape future developments within the sector. The report looks at how current trends such as the growing demand for transport services, deregulation and industry reforms, enlargement, funding and innovation all impact on the railway equipment industry in Europe. The outlook for the market seems positive with an expected annual growth rate of 3% to 5%. This should offer opportunities for well-adapted companies to increase their output and create employment, according to industry representatives. To support further growth in the sector, industry is currently calling on policymakers to proceed with further liberalisation of national railways and to support the interoperability of European networks as well as to harmonise acceptance, testing and safety rules for equipment.
The report also outlines the consequences for employment in the sector. To illustrate these, the analysis provides company profiles of two major players in the European market – Alstom S.A. of France and Bombardier Inc. of Canada. Despite positive results in their transport business divisions and favourable industry forecasts, both companies are in the process of implementing large-scale restructurings leading to substantial workforce reductions in Europe. The company profiles also set out a brief description of all manufacturing plants affected by these restructuring plans as announced in the European Restructuring Monitor.