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European Works Councils are useful, say Swedish forest industry EWC representatives* viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) New book:
Everything at stake
- safeguarding interests
in a world without frontiers

Helsinki (19.03.2001) Swedish forest industry EWC (European Works Council) representatives find the councils useful. In particular they appreciate the contacts and the overall picture of enterprises obtained by participating in EWC work.

These are some of the findings in a new study made by Professor Jeremy Waddington of the Manchester School of Management. The study, commissioned by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI), covers five countries in all.

"The councils function as we expected and handle issues that are essential", observes economist Christer Larsson of the Swedish Paper Workers Union – Pappers.

The EWC representatives in Pappers are 49 years of age on average. Most of them are men working in a Swedish or Finnish enterprise, and are either Presidents or Vice-Presidents of their union branches. Larsson comments that EWC membership seems to be regarded as a heavyweight post in the union movement.

The study shows that the meetings are meaningful in existing EWCs. The opportunity to forge cross-border contacts between trade unionists has had a permanent impact.

Of the 33 Swedish EWC representatives who completed the questionnaire (out of 38) 19 reported regular contacts with their colleagues in other countries. In Larsson's opinion this figure is rather high and provides a positive signal.

The Swedes have most contact with their colleagues in Germany and the United Kingdom. Compared with the industry's significance in various countries the UK is over-represented and Finland is under-represented, Larsson says. He believes that the imbalance is mainly caused by language limitations.

None of the respondents reported that their own employer had a negative attitude towards EWCs. Rather the opposite was true: almost half of the respondents felt that the enterprise leadership encouraged their commitment to the EWC process.

What are the issues that enterprises bring to EWC meetings? Many of them are among those of most interest to the Swedish representatives: the economic and financial situation, strategy and investment plans, downsizing, enterprise mergers and acquisitions.

Colleagues from other countries are more eager than the Swedes to raise questions of vocational training, occupational health and safety, trade union rights, working hours and environmental protection.

Environmental protection is also an important issue for the Swedes, Larsson says. Issues that have not interested the Swedish EWC representatives so much have been those of parental leave, research and development, new technology and equality.

Basically the Swedes are satisfied with the backing, training and information provided by their own union Pappers. They seek more information about the legislation and collective agreements of other countries. The representatives also seek to know more about how foreign languages are studied elsewhere.

*This interview was written by Göran Widerberg and published on 9 February 2001 in the Swedish language net magazine Dagens Arbete. Translation by Juhani Artto.

 
Other sites on economy and working life:

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Ten years of working conditions in the European Union, Eurofound's research summary (pdf-file)
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) In terms of real property, one Finland equals two Nokias, Helsingin Sanomat 08.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) The growth of the Finnish economy did not eradicate unemployment, Helsingin Sanomat 03.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Only one Finn in nine actually retire as late as 65, Helsingin Sanomat 02.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Incomes policy agreement approved; The incomes policy agreement in a nutshell;The economic backgrounf of the incomes policy agreement  SAK 15.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Collective bargaining in Finland 1999-2000, Pekka Sauramo, Labour Institute for Economic Research, Helsinki (pdf-file)
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Working environment greater cause of absenteeism than lifestyle Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 05.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) New job creation down 50 % this year Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 01.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Made in Hong Finland Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 28.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Bars and restaurants among Finland's most hazardous work places Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 27.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Finland faces labour shortage in all sectors in 2005 Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 23.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) New two-year incomes agreement announced Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 17.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Increased disparities in wealth distribution Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 09.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Floating shopping centers might become a thing of the past Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 24.10.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) SAK member unions vote to go with two-year wage deal Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 03.10.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) National Economy
and State Finances

Ministry of Finance
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Occupational Safety and Health Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Dispute highlights threats to Finnish seafarers' jobs eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Strikes break out as bargaining round nears conclusion eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) "Barometer" examines industrial relations in Baltic states eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Strike levels fall in 1999 eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Action programme launched to promote "ability to cope" at work eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) SAK computer campaign proves successful eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) European working time conference held in Helsinki
eironline

More on
and in Finland:

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Etusivu - The Finnish Link Resource
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Helsinki Camera - Views over the city
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Virtual Finland - Information about Finland - Facts about Finland
provided by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Finland - World Fact Book entry - tons of links!
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Statistics Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - News from Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Need a reliable lawyer - The Finnish Bar Association can help
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Moving to Finland? - Directorate of Immigration
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Ministry of Labour Migration affairs page
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) National Equal Opportunities Network - Fighting discrimination