A sustainable future for metal industries: a decent and organised future for metalworkers in Europe

In the context of sustained attacks on national debt in the bond markets, the extremely fragile economic recovery and high unemployment, especially youth unemployment, the European Commission and member states are pressing for the reinforcement of economic governance in the EU (and particularly in the euro area) with new enforcement mechanisms for non-compliant member states.

Better economic coordination to support the monetary union is essential. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that reducing public deficits and ‘belt-tightening’ has become the cornerstone of European economic decision-making. There is no real strategy based on growth on the table.

Europe urgently needs a strong full employment policy.

In 2010 the EMF has developed, on its own and together with other trade union federations, policies related to climate change, that include improvements of European industrial policy necessary to achieve sustainable industrial manufacturing in Europe.

Instead of flying to Mexico to participate in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16), that is taking place in Cancun on 29 November – 10 December 2010, the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) has decided to stay at home. Instead of exposing the globe to additional CO2 emissions, the EMF will promote its message for Cancun using digital means.

On 28-29 October 2010, the EMF took part in a bilateral expert meeting between DG Employment and Social Affairs and the Chinese Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MoHRSS) on employment policy challenges of moving towards a low-carbon economy. The seminar came in the wake of intensifying relations over the past 5 years between the Commission's employment and social affairs team and the Chinese authorities, and a joint publication on 'New Skills for New Jobs in the EU and China'.

Resolution of the European Metalworkers Federation

For the EMF climate change is a dangerous reality which demands a social response at international as well as European, national and regional/local and company levels. We believe that a drive towards new industrial strategies based on low carbon technologies and products can offer opportunities but also challenges for the future of industrial workplaces in Europe, especially in the context of the worst recession for 80 years and an older and broader energy and raw materials crisis.

In advance of the publication of the Commission’s new industrial policy agenda next week, European trade union federations representing manufacturing workers in the metalworking, chemical, energy, mining, textile, clothing and leather sectors have come together to call for a strong industrial policy capable of underpinning Europe’s industrial fabric.

- New industrial policies, workers' participation and structural change.

Joint EMCEF/EMF/ETUF:TCL project

Seminar and Conference

EMF calls for mobilisation on the ETUC Day of Action: 29 September 2010

The European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) is mobilising on 29 September, in response to the call from ETUC, to demonstrate against the excessive austerity measures being pursued by European governments simultaneously. These measures are directly threatening the fragile recovery in our industries and promoting greater deindustrialisation in Europe and a deep social recession.

The EMF is joining the two-day conference on economic, environment, and social dimensions of sustainability in Toronto organised by the global unions IMF and ICEM.

The conference is aimed at forging a worldwide workers' and communities' declaration for the upcoming G8 and G20 summits.

On 25 May 2010 the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) and the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries (EUROFER) adopted a “Common position on EU climate policy”.

The metalworkers and employers insist on a sustainable implementation of the EU Emissions Trading Directive (EU ETS) and oppose more ambitious European climate change targets in the absence of other countries committing to comparable measures.

Fighting climate change will fail to receive public support if there are no measures ensuring social justice. Long-term employment policies and sufficient investment are necessary to ensure a smooth transition to a low carbon economy.

The European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) sees climate change as a dangerous reality for all industrial workers. Tackling it effectively requires a clear social response from policy-makers as well as industrial strategies based on low carbon technologies serving to shore up workplaces in European industry in the future.

This was the message delivered by the EMF at today’s seminar led by the ETUC at the World of Work Pavilion in Copenhagen.

For a strong European social and industrial policy to tackle climate change - not just more of the same

IMF-ICEM-EMF-EMCEF Meeting on Climate Change
Bad Orb, Germany, 14-15 October 2009

Report from the meeting on IMF website.

The European Automotive Industry is facing tough challenges in the coming months. Mergers, acquisitions and restructurings will take their toll on working conditions, employment and pay.

Trade union representatives of the EMF demand common European strategy to overcome the crisis in shipbuilding

The European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) demands a common European strategy for the future of shipbuilding in Europe.

Urgent action needed for Europe’s steelworkers

5 demands for governments - 5 demands for employers

On the eve of the EU June Summit, the European Metalworkers’ Federation urges policy-makers to adopt a New European Deal for Steel.

“Rhetoric on stimulus packages is not enough. European leaders need a strong, confident and coordinated industrial programme and policy if we are to come out of this crisis able to cope with the challenges of environmental and social change.”

On 17th March 2009 the Commission held a high-level conference on Industrial Competitiveness - Challenges, opportunities, and the role of policy in difficult times. Peter Scherrer was one of the speakers alongside Commission President Barrosso and Vice-President Verheugen as well as representatives of academic circles and business.

Protectionism and economic nationalism have dominated the policy and public discussion about tackling the economic crisis in the last few weeks – the EMF has played a role in the debate.

European industrial workers are facing the challenge of a life-time. Now is the time for European politicians to stand up and actively pledge their commitment to fight for the creation and maintenance of good quality jobs in European manufacturing.

Creating a strong European industrial base is fundamental to securing the foundation of the EU’s economy, and ensuring a sustainable progression towards a flourishing economy and an environmentally friendly production.

The European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) shares the principal idea of the EU energy package, which was adopted by the European Commission in January 2007. We especially support the aim for a 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 as compared to 1990 levels.

Without doubt, climate change is one of the major challenges of the 21st century and we support the European Union when leading the way in CO2 mitigation worldwide. The willingness of the European Union to reduce emissions up to 30% provided that other countries commit themselves to comparable efforts is a commitment to a far-reaching international climate agreement as a follow-up to the Kyoto-protocol.