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13 July, 2009
The ten-year existence of the ICEM’s BASF Workers' Network in South America was celebrated on 30 June 2009 in São Paulo, Brazil. The event was attended by more than 100 guests, partners from the trade union movement, employers, workers, and managers from throughout the chemicals industry in Brazil.
As the experiences of the first ten years of the network's operations were recalled from both trade union and company point of view. The network coordinator mentioned the main struggles that occurred and went into the network's future challenges. Those include the issues of subcontracting, health and safety, and unfair dismissals.
The ten-year anniversary celebration of ICEM’s most successful regional workers’ network came between two, full working days of the Network, on 29 June and July 1.
The presentation by Wagner Brunini, BASF Human Resources Director for South America, gave evidence to the company’s commitment to the network and its appreciation to all forms of workers' representation. Brunini defined one challenge: informing and training all management staff to create a new management culture.
Michael Vassiliadis
Thematic panels were also held during the event on social dialogue, presented by IGBCE Board Member Michael Vassiliadis, and on sustainable enterprises, presented by ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda.
Vassiliadis emphasised that the workers' experience at BASF in South America ought to serve as a social dialogue example for other companies. According to Vassiliadis, society's interest in this labour relations practice has to be awakened.
"We need trade unions and trade unionists who cultivate a sensible relationship with companies,” he added. “It is necessary to define our requirements and to know where we need to go with dialogue."
Warda pointed to important fundamentals for sustainable enterprises: "Listen to what the other side is saying, comprehend its needs, and exercise mutual respect."
At the end of the ceremony, an excellent publication was distributed, entitled, "Rede de Trabalhadores na BASF América do Sul: 10 anos de Solidariedade Sindical e Diálogo Social," a homage to those who conceived of and founded the network.
ICEM Latin America/Caribbean Vice President Sergio Novais coordinated the event, which was also attended by the IGBCE International Officer Michael Wolters, and the President of BASF South America, Dr Rolf-Dieter Acker.