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IndustriALL and Michelin sign agreement for global works council

28 January, 2020On 27 January, IndustriALL and Michelin signed an agreement to set up the Michelin Global Works Council. The new council, representing the Group's workers, will draw heavily on the work, methods and positive outcomes of the Michelin European Works Council (MEWC).

On 27 January 2020, Valter Sanches, IndustriALL Global Union general secretary, and Florent Menegaux, CEO of Michelin Group, signed an agreement to set up the Michelin Global Works Council.

For Michelin Group, the agreement signed with IndustriALL is a milestone in a process launched several years ago aimed at fostering open, constructive and responsible social dialogue in its operations around the world.

The Global Works Council was created to fulfil the following aims:

  • to create a new platform for social dialogue that represents employees in the countries in which the Group operates
  • to better prepare for the economic, social and environmental changes affecting Michelin Group throughout the world
  • to improve the social support needed in all countries in light of the Group's economic transformation

The Council will therefore have the following missions:

  • to share the Group's results and strategic goals transparently with workers in all countries in which Michelin operates
  • to help co-develop key policies to address the social implications of the Group's transformation, competitiveness, social protection, diversity (especially disability and inclusion), sustainable development, etc.

The Michelin Global Works Council will be chaired by Michelin Group's general secretary Remi de Verdilhac. Fifty council members will be appointed during the month of February in order to properly prepare for the council's first meeting, scheduled to take place on 1 April this year in Clermont-Ferrand, France.

With this agreement, Michelin recognizes the importance of the fundamental conventions of the ILO, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Group pledges to support and respect human rights and to develop a culture of vigilance on this matter. In particular, Michelin commits to comply with the principles of freedom of association and employee representation, and to protect the rights of employees and union representatives.

IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches says:

"Global works councils are a strategic way of involving multinational companies in our action plan. Michelin is a leader in its sector, and the Global Works Council is another step in the process of enhancing industrial relations within the Group."

Michelin Group's CEO, Florent Menegaux, says that:

"The Michelin Global Works Council will allow us to go further when it comes to fostering social dialogue and supporting workers as the company evolves. It will also help us to improve working conditions and strengthen the rights of our workers around the world."