Minimize negative consequences. The objective is to accompany employees when restructuring becomes necessary to sustain the competitiveness of the company and to “minimize the possible negative consequences”. The parties wish to clarify the information and consultation procedure of the EWC by making it “genuine and effective”. The legal provisions of the agreement do not impinge on the national, legal or negotiated provisions applying in restructuring operations.

The management of the oil and gas group Total and the European union federations EMCEF, EMFCAI, and EFEER signed, on March 28, 2007, a European agreement concerning the support the French group wants to bring to small and medium-sized companies created or established close to Total’s main European facilities. (Ref.070289)

The Italian insurance company Generali presented, on December 11, 12 and 13, 2006, to the select committee’s European work’s council, a “European social charter for the Generali group”, which has been unilaterally approved on November 28, 2006. This document will then be incorporated into the EWCs constitutive agreement on its renewal. (Ref 070121)

The French group Areva has concluded, with the trade union members of the European Metalworkers’ Federation and the bureau of its European work’s council, an agreement on equal opportunities in professional life, which includes gender equality and a chapter on employment of disabled people. (Ref. 061191)