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3 October, 2012Ethical approach pays dividends for IndustriALL Tata Steel Network. Using Tata Steel Groups ethical vision and values as a mechanism to support union activities in the company has proved successful for the IndustriALL Tata Steel Group Union Network.
Unions that make up the IndustriALL TATA Steel Group Network met to develop an action plan that will see coordinated activities take place in organizing and growth, collective bargaining, and communications.
The company, which considers itself the world’s most ethical company for which it has won a number of awards has also been approached to negotiate a groundbreaking agreement. The agreement would see the creation of a joint global committee that would see unions and management monitor and implement the company’s ethical code of conduct.
In addition to this proposal the network had the opportunity to meet with senior management in the company to discuss organizing activities currently being carried out in Thailand. The discussion reaffirmed the company’s position that all employees have the right to join a trade union.
The network heard that the company had a good experience of working with unions and that in India they have had a partnership since 1920. In Thailand the company has 3 sites and a local union has recognition at one of the sites and are seeking ways to develop their relationship with management. The network committed to monitor this situation closely and extend whatever support is needed to achieve this aim.
Tata is India’s largest business group with operations in 80 countries. The company has 425,000 employees with 58 per cent employed outside India. Tata Steel Group is a division of TATA and is the world’s 9th largest steel company and has 81,000 direct employees. Tata Steel Group produces products for the automotive, construction, engineering and packaging industries.
Developing ways to improve information flow and communications globally were also topics discuss by the network. The unions present committed to a new system that will improve information flow between unions. This will enable the unions to be more responsive to global initiatives and respond collectively to challenges.
Rob Johnston, Executive Director of IndustriALL Global Union, informed management that, “Our preference is to work constructively with management on issues such as organizing and human rights. We have been open with TATA about our aims and objectives we hope that company responds by working with us to ensure its respects its own ethical vision and values throughout the world.”
The IndustriALL Tata Steel Network has taken it as a good signal that the Chief Executive Officer of Tata Steel Group Thailand attended the meeting and briefed the network on the company’s vision and values, also answering a number of questions from the participants. The participation was facilitated by the TATA Workers’ Union in India who have played a major role in developing the strategy and have committed to proactively pursue the network’s goals and objectives with management at the companies headquarters. It is planned to hold the next network meeting in the Philippines in 2013.