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14 February, 2001The management of the Dutch multinational isn't setting a path for forward-looking cooperation with international trade unions and says that the IMF and EMF "are not the relevant partners for us."
GLOBAL: Some 60 trade union delegates from 18 countries met in Amsterdam on February 6-9, 2001, to discuss the economic situation, the Philips company strategy and its effect on trade union policy in countries where it has operations.
Reports by delegates at the IMF Philips World Council -- which concentrated mainly on industrial relations at the company -- indicated very clearly that Philips does not belong to the multinational companies which set a path for respectful and forward-looking cooperation between company management and unions at international level. On the contrary, Philips management refused to take a role in this international meeting and to give delegates the company view about its future role, strategy and development. "The International Metalworkers' Federation as well as the European Metalworkers' Federation are not the relevant partners for us," said the company.
At a time when other multinationals are on the way to building not only European but also World Works' Councils, and while Philips always makes clear it is a global player, they demand that unions and workers' representatives in the plants merely function on a local or national level. If opponents of globalisation need arguments on the attitudes of multinational companies, Philips certainly delivers them.
Besides not showing up at the meeting, they also tried to block a visit by the participants to one of its plants. Two days before the planned visit, company managers tried to "convince" the group management responsible for the plant to cancel the visit, but the group management stuck to its commitment.
The World Council discussed and proposed to the IMF a number of projects and activities, and a task force and steering committee will be created to strengthen and promote joint trade union activities. A worldwide information network, the building of a World Works' Council and the demand for a Code of Conduct for Philips were some of the items discussed.
Reports by delegates at the IMF Philips World Council -- which concentrated mainly on industrial relations at the company -- indicated very clearly that Philips does not belong to the multinational companies which set a path for respectful and forward-looking cooperation between company management and unions at international level. On the contrary, Philips management refused to take a role in this international meeting and to give delegates the company view about its future role, strategy and development. "The International Metalworkers' Federation as well as the European Metalworkers' Federation are not the relevant partners for us," said the company.
At a time when other multinationals are on the way to building not only European but also World Works' Councils, and while Philips always makes clear it is a global player, they demand that unions and workers' representatives in the plants merely function on a local or national level. If opponents of globalisation need arguments on the attitudes of multinational companies, Philips certainly delivers them.
Besides not showing up at the meeting, they also tried to block a visit by the participants to one of its plants. Two days before the planned visit, company managers tried to "convince" the group management responsible for the plant to cancel the visit, but the group management stuck to its commitment.
The World Council discussed and proposed to the IMF a number of projects and activities, and a task force and steering committee will be created to strengthen and promote joint trade union activities. A worldwide information network, the building of a World Works' Council and the demand for a Code of Conduct for Philips were some of the items discussed.