With the support of EFFAT, the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions, workers and trade unions from various countries are taking action on Monday 29 April at Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) headquarters in Anderlecht. Trade Unions, united under the umbrella of EFFAT say: “It’s enough!”. “CCEP is constantly cutting jobs and making employment more precarious. And lengthy negotiations on a European Works Council have still not produced a satisfactory result.”
The Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) structure was set up in 2016 following the merger of three bottlers (Coca-Cola Enterprises, Coca-Cola Iberian Partners and the German entity held by TCCC, Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke GmbH). Since then, about 2,500 jobs have already been lost, some 10% of the total CCEP initial workforce, with the company constantly demanding more labour flexibility.
“The company likes to boast about its environmental and social commitment, but in practice it’s all about increasing shareholder profits. At the same time, closures and changes are made without considering the negative impact on employees, their families and local communities” says Enrico Somaglia from EFFAT.
In such a critical scenario, national Trade unions and workers representative structures are struggling, as main industrial strategies are adopted centrally by CCEP Board. The establishment of a well-functioning EWC would give workers the possibility to have a say at the appropriate level, where decisions are actually taken. However, EWC negotiations are facing a terrible impasse although they are running for almost three years now. “CCEP wants to impose a European Works Council with a limited and weak role. And the management team is acting with an aggressive attitude that doesn’t allow for any progress” some SNB members say.
Trade Unions demands
EFFAT affiliated unions want Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) to stop cutting jobs and making employment more precarious. People should be placed before profits and shareholders’ interests. All employees should be given the respect they deserve. The unions are also calling for a strong European Works Council that works towards a permanent constructive dialogue and that is consulted at an early stage, before decisions are taken. The unions also want EFFAT, a recognized social partner at EU level with a long-standing experience in EWCs, to assist the European works council in the future, although the management rejects this request with no good reasons.
The negotiations on a European Works Council must be approached in a constructive manner. Verbal aggression and unprofessional behavior from the management’s side will no be tolerated any longer.
The employees and their trade unions will continue to take action until the management takes their demands into account.
The action
Our rally will take place on Monday 29 April at 1 p.m. at Coca-Cola on the 1424 Bergensesteenweg in Anderlecht.
Any questions about this press release?
Call one of these union secretaries:
– Enrico Somaglia (IT/EN/FR), EFFAT : +32 491 67 71 00
Or for Belgium:
– Delvenne Marc (FR), ACV food and services, +32 477 75 96 61
– Desmet Bjorn (NL), Regional Secretary ABVV Horval: +32 477 305 557
– Schaerlaekens Karin (NL), LBC-NVK secretary: +32 478 45 42 61
– Didier Lebbe (FR), CNE secretary: +32 476 355 220
– Van Hoof Anita (NL/FR), Federal Secretary for BBTK: +32 475 42 51 81
Our demands – Trade Union Action 29 April 2019 Anderlecht_ DE
Our demands – Trade Union Action 29 April 2019 Anderlecht_ EN
Our demands – Trade Union Action 29 April 2019 Anderlecht_ ES
Our demands – Trade Union Action 29 April 2019 Anderlecht_ FR
Our demands – Trade Union Action 29 April 2019 Anderlecht_ NL
