Representatives of IMF affiliates from different countries will gather within an IMF Working Group to discuss a concept and guidelines for trade union networks in transnational companies.

GENEVA: Based on the IMF Executive Committee decision last December, the International Metalworkers' Federation will hold in Geneva on May 11 and 12 the first meeting of a Working Group on Trade Union Networks in Transnational Companies.

This meeting will take place as part of a bigger strategy on building a counterweight to transnational companies, which includes the creation and maintenance of functioning networks and mechanisms to ensure regular exchange of information, development of joint initiatives and common platforms, building solidarity, organizing unorganized plants, joint union action and contacts with the real decision-makers within the enterprises.

The IMF Working Group will develop a proposal on guidelines for the constitution of trade union networks, their main tasks, coordination, resources, handling of International Framework Agreements and other possible global level agreements. It will also discuss contents in a guidebook and training material.  IMF's Executive Committee is expected to define a number of priority companies in different industry sectors, including supply chains when appropriate.

IMF's activities on union networks in 2010 include a number of company meetings such as Caterpillar, Gerdau and Tenaris. In addition, networking priorities and strategies will be discussed at regional conferences and sectoral meetings in the aerospace, ICT, electrical and electronics, automotive and mechanical engineering sectors.

Over the last few decades, IMF has formed 42 World Company Councils, funded by the IMF and its affiliates.  However, the majority of World Company Councils have met occasionally, but mostly not at all.  In addition, there are four World Works Councils (Volkswagen, Daimler, Rolls Royce and SKF) funded by the companies, based on an agreement.

As background to this work, the IMF produced a critical evaluation of the existing Company Councils, World Works Councils and other networks. The copy of the evaluation is available on the website here in English and German.