Endesa

Union rights, health and safety, vocational training, labour relations, company prospects and employment trends are the main topics for consideration by the new council.

The union rights, safety and training provisions of the global agreement are specifically linked to the international standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Endesa is one of the world's major private electricity groups, with interests in gas distribution, mining, water treatment, telecommunications and new technologies.

Aker

The agreement covers provisions on freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, discrimination, forced labour, child labour, health and safety, living wages, employment conditions, working hours, HIV/AIDS, environmental issues and skills training, referencing the standards as established by the core labour conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The agreement relates to all parts of Aker and states that the company will use its influence to secure compliance with the standards set out in the agreement with its subsidiaries and third party business associates, with non-compliance ultimately resulting in potential termination of a contractual relationship.

The signing took place during the Fellesforbundet's executive committee meeting in Oslo on October 28, 2008. During the ceremony speeches about the importance of the agreement were given by ex-IMF general secretary Marcello Malentachhi, Fellesforbundet president Arve Bakke, Aker ASA director of communication Geir Arne Drangeid, and the senior shop steward in Aker Atle Tranøy.

Aker was established in 1841 and today has divided its activities into four market sectors: energy resources, energy technologies, maritime technologies, seafood and marine biotechnology. The Aker companies have a total of 27,100 employees on five continents and operating revenues totalling NOK 62 billion (7 billion Euros) in 2007.

Volkswagen

The GFA deals with the freedom of association, collective bargaining, prohibition of child work and forced labour and non-discrimination, as well as remuneration, health and safety and working time.

Company management reports to the Global Works Council and its Steering Committee, and in cases of reported violations, one of the two will become active and discuss ways to solve the problems. The IndustriALL’s coordinator for the VW Global Works' Council is involved in this discussion and will bring in the position of the IndustriALL and its affiliated unions.

The agreement is applicable to the entire Volkswagen group – Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Rolls-Royce Bentley, Lamborghini, Auto-Europa.

The ground breaking agreement "Temporary Work Charter for the Volkswagen Group" sets principles for use of temporary work in the entire Volkswagen Group worldwide. The agreement, among others, serves to ensure appropriate employment and payment conditions for temporary workers.

UPDATE:

IndustriALL suspends global agreement with Volkswagen

Vallourec

The agreement states:

Wherever the Group is located, Vallourec applies the international conventions and national laws and respects the national cultures and local customs.
In its position as a company of international standing, Vallourec aims in particular to respect human rights and the universal fundamental principles that protect the dignity, respect and liberty of the employees.

An annex to the agreement specifies the core conventions of the International Labour Organisation covered by the agreement. The conventions included cover areas such as the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, no forced labour, no child labour and the right to equal remuneration and no discrimination.

The agreement also states that, "Vallourec demands the observance of these fundamental rights from its suppliers and sub-contractors, and integrates these criteria into its evaluations."

To monitor the agreement it is agreed that the General Management shall report annually to the European Workers Council on complaints received during the year and the corresponding measures taken.

The Vallourec Group supplies tubes to the oil and gas, power generation, mechanical engineering, petrochemical, automotive and steel architecture sectors. Head quartered in France, Vallourec employs 18,000 people and has plants in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America.

Umicore

The agreement, which applies to more than 14,000 Umicore employees in 38 countries, covers human rights (including collective bargaining and equal opportunities), safe and healthy working conditions, and environmental considerations.

The GFA was also signed by Belgian unions LBC-NVK, ABVV Metaal, CNE-GNC, ACV-CSC Metea.

Umicore is a global company focusing on advanced materials, precious metals services, precious metals products and catalysts, and zinc specialties and alloys.

Statoil

It was the ICEM's first Global Agreement. It covers all trade union rights, health, safety and environmental commitments, and provides for internal training programs for such. The agreement was renewed and improved upon in March 2001, and further updated and strengthened in August 2003 and June 2005.

SKF

The GFA acknowledges the company's social responsibility and the basic right of all employees to establish and join trade unions of their choice and to bargain collectively.

The agreement also states that all employees must be treated equally, fairly and with respect, regardless of race, gender, age, national origin, disability, caste, religion, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.

SKF a worldwide manufacturer of rolling bearings and seals.

SCA

The agreement cites adherence to the Core Conventions of the ILO on workers’ rights, and states that such standards “should guide SCA’s activities and its relations to the employees.” It also includes language in which the company will inform sub-contractors and licensees of the agreement, and that it will encourage such parties to comply with the same standards.

Other points contained in the agreement:

As a minimum, SCA will comply with all applicable legislative and regulatory requirements;

The firm will strive for continuous improvement to workplace health and safety standards, as well as environmentally responsible behaviour;

SCA will strive toward full non-discriminatory policies including ensuring equal development opportunities exist regardless of gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation or disability;

The company will provide employees with opportunities to train for job enrichment and increased responsibilities;

SCA commits to paying fair wages and benefits according to relevant market standards;

The firm will be guided in its operations by provisions of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and

SCA supports the effective elimination of forced labour and child labour, and it will make these criteria in the choice and management of suppliers and sub-contractors.

The GFA also contains a process on how disputes pertaining to the agreement will be resolved and all parties will meet annually to review the framework agreement.

Röchling

The agreement acknowledges the company's social responsibility and its support of and compliance with ILO Core Labour Standards. The GFA stipulates that ILO Conventions No. 87 (Freedom of Association) and No. 98 (Right to Collective Bargaining) will be respected.

The GFA also includes prohibition of child work and forced labour and sets out standards on non-discrimination, remuneration, health and safety and working time. The agreement also states that the company will "support and encourage" its business partners to take this declaration into account in their own respective company policies. Röchling "views this to constitute a positive basis for future business relationships".

Röchling produces plastics, automotive components and electronics.

Electrolux

Implementation of and compliance with the GFA will be discussed once a year with the employee representatives of the Electrolux Board of Directors in Sweden. In addition, representatives of Swedish confederations LO and PTK will participate in the committee monitoring compliance with the GFA and the company's code of conduct.

In addition to the GFA, the parties made a separate agreement which commits the company to not organize or finance company or ‘yellow' unions, to not implement or support any union busting activities and to not adopt any initiatives capable of discouraging workers from forming authentic unions.

Speaking on behalf of IF Metall, Erik Andersson said that the union was particularly pleased with the separate agreement as an important complement to the GFA. He said, "with this GFA and the separate agreement, we will strengthen trade union organization at all Electrolux plants throughout the world. Now we will proceed to build union networks."