European Social Forum discusses labour issues

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In November 2002, the first European Social Forum was held in Florence, Italy, to discuss globalisation and related matters from a critical perspective. The meeting was particularly notable because, for the first time, major European trade unions engaged directly in dialogue with the opponents of globalisation. Along with a major presence of national unions from Italy and other European countries, it was regarded as significant that the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) was directly involved in the proceedings.

On 6-9 November 2002, a first European Social Forum (ESF) was held in Florence, Italy. The ESF is a regional forum within the framework of the World Social Forum, which held its second meeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil in January-February 2002 (FR0203106F), and seeks to act as a citizens' movement to set out alternatives to globalisation and the 'inhumane neo-liberal order, personified by the World Economic Forum in Davos'.

A key feature of the ESF was that, for the first time in the history of the anti-globalisation movement, European trade unions engaged directly in dialogue with the opponents of globalisation. There were thus two main protagonists at the Florence meeting: on the one side the heterogeneous array of anti-globalisation movements, including representatives from the non-profit and voluntary sector, pacifists, environmentalists, anti-capitalists and lay and religious associations; and on other side, trade unions.

Trade union presence

The unions had a major presence – indeed, there are those who viewed the event as a sort of forum for the unions – with various European delegations and representatives of national trade unions, led by the General Confederation of Italian Workers (Confederazione Generale Italian a del Lavoro, Cgil). National unions represented included: the German Metalworkers' Union (IG Metall); the UK Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union; the French General Confederation of Labour (Confédération générale du travail, CGT); Spain's Trade Union Confederation of Workers’ Commissions (Comisiones Obreras, CC.OO); the Belgian Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens/Algemeen Christelijk Vakverbond, CSC/ACV); the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral de Trabalhadores Portugueses, CGTP); and unions from Greece and Russia (which reported on the situation in eastern Europe).

Italian trade unions had a major presence at the ESF. Cgil was represented by its general secretary, Guglielmo Epifani, and by delegations from various sectoral federations (representing metalworkers, school personnel, pensioners, transport workers and public sector workers) and regional organisations (led by Cgil's Tuscany section). Radical Italian unionism was also well represented by the rank-and-file unions Cobas and Comitati Unitari di Base (Cub).

However, undoubtedly the most significant aspect was the direct involvement of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which had been present at the Porto Allegre World Social Forum only as an observer. At Florence, ETUC - which represents the majority of European trade unions - was represented by its deputy general secretary, Jean Lapeyre, and by Maria Helena Andrè from its confederal secretariat. Previously, the major trade unions and their associations had never entertained such close dialogue with the anti-globalisation movement, and Florence seems to have broken the ice.

Issues of trade union importance

Numerous events (lectures, seminars and workshops) of trade union interest were held during the three days of discussion at Florence, and some of them were organised and conducted by the union delegations themselves. ETUC promoted discussion with the anti-globalisation movement by organising two seminars entitled 'Multinationals and European Works Councils' and 'Trade union struggles in Europe for new workers' rights'. ETUC also selected nine speakers representing nine affiliated unions to give addresses to other conferences held by the ESF. A number of seminars and workshops were also organised by Cgil.

Among the issues addressed at Florence, those of importance to the unions concerned general aspects of the labour market and the world of work, including:

• the principles enshrined in the Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union, proclaimed at the Nice European Council meeting in December 2000 (EU0012288F), and the documents of the EU Convention, the body charged with proposing a new framework and structures for the Union, notably in the light of enlargement (EU0201231N);

• the welfare state and the protection of social rights;

• abuses by multinationals and corporate social responsibility;

• regulation of the market and business activity;

• immigration and enlargement of the European Union;

• life-long education and training;

• public services and privatisation;

• harmonisation of European trade union structures;

• the promotion of 'social shock absorbers' in European policies; and

• the current crisis (IT0212211F) at Fiat, the Italian motor manufacturer, as an example of what is happening in the rest of the world.

The principal outcome of the various discussions was the definition of a 'Europe of rights'. The trade unions believe that Europe is today standing at the crossroads between two alternative systems: 'liberal' and 'social'. The aim, they maintain, should be to pursue the 'European social model', which stands as an alternative to the competitive model allegedly based on social dumping, wage cuts and the reduction of acquired rights. There were four central points at issue: enlargement of the EU; universal citizenship rights, democratic legitimisation, and strengthening the system of social and labour rights. In this regard, the unions were convinced that the pro-European choice was the right one, and that the Nice Charter of fundamental rights and the Convention constitute an important first step towards a European Constitution, of which the Charter should be an integral part.

Another issue raised, especially by Maria Helena Andrè from the ETUC confederal secretariat, concerned abuses by multinational companies. Ms Andrè stressed the need for new laws to regulate the activities of large-scale economic and financial organisations. She also stated that European trade union structures should be harmonised, given that they are still excessively heterogeneous. The vice-chair of the Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions and for Assistance to Citizens (ATTAC), Susan George, proposed that European governments should apply a 'Tobin tax' on speculative financial transactions by multinationals, and that the revenues thus generated should be used to fund the welfare state.

The meetings concluded with a commitment by four union delegations (IG Metall, RMT, CC.OO and Cgil) on three themes: the development of capacity for action and union rights in transnational companies; the coordination of industry-wide trade union initiatives; and the enlargement of the EU and discussion on the European Constitution in 2004.

The Florence meeting was not without its disagreements, however. On some occasions, in fact, ETUC was challenged (albeit in moderate tones) by the anti-globalisation movement. The main points of controversy were: ETUC’s unconditional endorsement of the Nice Charter and the project currently being pursued by the Convention; and the accusation that ETUC member organisations had co-managed the liberalisation process in the public sectors of many EU Member States.

Commentary

Besides the positive aspects – outlined above – of the unprecedented direct meeting and discussion that took place in Florence between European trade unionism and the anti-globaliation movement, there nevertheless emerged a number of obvious limitations in the stance of the anti-globalisation movement. Principal among these is its rejection of the Nice Charter as the first step towards a European Constitution and the building of a Europe of rights. It is also evident that ETUC and the groups making up the European Social Forum have different views of what is meant by liberalism and flexibility in the EU.

More specific criticisms were brought by the IG Metall delegation against ETUC. According to the German metalworkers' union, ETUC should be reformed so that it is able to pursue a Europe-wide bargaining policy on wages and working time. As regards the latter, IG Metall maintains that pressure should be applied for the 35-hour working week to be introduced throughout the EU. As regards wages, negotiations should be based on two premises: wage differentials among countries should not widen any further; and a common platform for wage increases should be drawn up which demands at least the recouping of inflation and increased productivity. (Livio Muratore, Ires Lombardia)