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Unions debate Green Technology and Industry 4.0 at SKF

4 October, 2019At the meeting with SKF top management IndustriALL European and world union council discussed the Green Technology and Industry 4.0.

From 30 September - 3 October, over 40 delegates and observers from 20 countries met in Steyr in Austria and had a vital exchange among themselves as well as with the group’s top management.

SKF is a world leader in the bearings business and around rotating machine parts with more than 47’000 employees around the world. SKF is also known as one of the leading companies implementing numerous transformations in the field of digital development aimed at “smartifying” their manufacturing industry all over the world.

Kennet Carlsson, Swedish chairman of the WUC, said with respect to the discussions with top management:

“In the light of a fast change in business climate, with additional challenges for trade unions resulting from digitalization and other challenges, we strive for more flexibility. Therefore, it is more important than ever before that SKF’s World Union Council is the cornerstone of social dialogue with management in order to tackle the actual and future challenges together with management.”

Alrik Danielson SKF CEO and Kennet Carlsson, Swedish chairman of the SKF world union council

The WUC spent a full day in dialogue with SKF top management, led by group president and CEO Alrik Danielson, about the company’s development, strategy and activities. Also, the actual business climate and digitalization as well as new and improved health and safety models were discussed between the over 40 delegates from around the world and the group management.

WUC vice chairman Norbert Völkl from Germany, summarized:

“Industry 4.0 is a huge challenge for all employees, not only generally in the industry, but also in SKF in specific. We have to make sure that this does not lead to uncertainties for the workforce. That’s why WUC and management together have the responsibility to care for a good qualification and secure workplaces for the employees.”

WUC vice chairman Norbert Völkl

Matthias Hartwich, IndustriALL’s director for mechanical engineering, addressed the delegates and observers :

 

“SKF world union council is a quite unique group that has the rare chance to address employees’ concerns but also proposals and ideas to the management. You, the delegates and observers have to make good use of this institution. IndustriALL Global Union will be at the WUC’s side also in the future in order to assist you all.”

Photos from the meeting are downloadable from IndustriALL Flickr channel.