Read this article in:
3 May, 2010
The European Mine, Chemical, and Energy Workers’ Federation (EMCEF) and the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) joined together on 22 April in a Brussels manifestation, demanding a secure future for industrial sites across the 27 Member States of the European Union.
Marching under the banner “Power to Jobs in Europe! Time to Act!” 1,200 people marched and then leading figures of EMCEF, EMF, and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) met with EU Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner László Andor and Industry and Entrepreneurship Commission Antonio Tajani to stress the impact that climate change, energy prices, and high raw material costs have on jobs.
EMCEF General Secretary Reinhard Reibsch
Photo: Andy Michaelis
Demonstrators in Europe’s capital city also called for stricter regulation of financial markets and the necessity to add needed social dimensions to EU emission-trading schemes.
A simultaneous EMCEF/EMF manifestation occurred in the German city of Duisburg, home to the large German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp.
Buses and trains replete with industrial workers waving the colours of their unions descended into Brussels. One busload of workers came from Scunthorpe in the Yorkshire region of the UK, where the steel-maker Tata Corus has shed jobs.
“We are uniting in Brussels to ensure workers come before profits,” said Unite the Union National Steel Officer Terry Pye. “Rising electricity prices are damaging our already weakened industries, making windfall profits for electricity companies. Pressure on raw material prices is also heightened by financial market speculators trying to make a quick buck on the back of our industries.”
Photo: Andy Michaelis
Belgian ACV-CSC Metea President Marc De Wilde said industrial production in the Benelux country dropped by 30% in 2009, with a 10% reduction in the number of workers as a consequence. He said previously, suppliers and others provided long-term contracts that assured steady pricing and workplace stability. “Now, only short-term contracts” are given and that means instability for both workers and enterprises.
EMCEF General Secretary Reinhard Reibsch spoke at the manifestation. He said, “We need a clear policy of the European Union that is in the interest of our jobs and the economic future of Europe.” Reibsch added that the economic success of Europe has historically been the industrial model, and that industrial production must remain the basis for creating a just and equitable society.
Reibsch, EMF General Secretary Peter Scherrer, and ETUC Secretary Jozef Niemiec then met with EU officials. An open letter from the European labour federations to Commission President José Manuel Barroso, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and the heads of government of all 27 Member States stated that the time to act for preservation of industrial enterprises is now.