A works council meeting was held on 6 May in a climate that allowed constructive discussions between senior management and employee representatives. Several items were on the agenda, including information on the industrial part of Aluminium Dunkerque’s organisational transformation project. This information focused on two themes:
- The economic rationale for the project which gave rise to a great deal of discussion. Senior Management has already provided a number of clarifications on this subject.
- The transformation projects, which clarified the jobs impacted by this project sector by sector. It was also reiterated that departures would be exclusively voluntary.
It was agreed with the members of the works committee that senior management would provide written answers to the questions raised on the industrial part both at the works committee level and the Dunkirk works committee level in a single document.
It was pointed out at the start of the meeting that the confidentiality of the information contained in the industrial part had not been respected by certain members of the works committee, which senior management found regrettable.
Furthermore, senior management asked that the safety of people, installations and deliveries to the customers who support us be protected throughout the procedure.
The draft methods agreement, resulting from 3 negotiation meetings with the trade unions, was favourably received by the members of the works committee, allowing the central trade union delegates to sign a unanimous agreement.
The invitation to the extraordinary meeting of the Works committee on the social measures and the social part document were given to the members of the Works Committee. The content of the measures remains confidential until the Works committee meeting on 20 May. Senior management and the members of the Works Committee reminded that 3 negotiation meetings are planned with a view to reaching an agreement to enhance the social measures, and that in the absence of an agreement, this document will be presented to the authorities for approval. It will be important to maintain a climate conducive to negotiation.
In the methods agreement, senior management has agreed that the works committee will call on the services of an expert on the industrial and social parts. The firm chosen by the Works Committee is SECAFI.
The Works committee has not objected to employees whose jobs are impacted by the transformation project being able to have their employment contracts suspended during the procedure. This is in the event that they have a professional opportunity outside Aluminium Dunkerque, in order to be able to benefit from the measures that will be negotiated.
On 7 May, the Aluminium Dunkerque Works Committee met, followed by the CHSCT meeting on 15 May.
We understand the concerns that this period may generate and assure you that we are doing everything we can to support you during this period.
Finally, another item on the agenda was the presentation of the new organisation of Technology and R&D. The members of the Works Committee gave a reasoned opinion. The new organisation can now be implemented.