Keep the Lights On, Energy Workers Tell the European Ministers

In the largest ever European demonstration by energy workers, the European Union Energy Ministers came under pressure to halt job losses that have ravaged the European energy sector. In a joint statement fully supported by the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and the European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers’ Federation (EMCEF) demanded that EU-wide social measures become a priority in the sector.

It is predicted that job losses, in a large part due to the European Commission's extensive liberalisation programme in the electricity and gas industries, will lead to one worker in five - or 200.000 - being made redundant by 2004. More than 150.000 jobs have already gone during the past five years, as utilities have cut permanent workforce and service in the preparations for a competitive market. The EU's free-market policies have also contributed to the destruction of the coal mining industry, which used to be a major provider of direct and indirect jobs in Europe.

European workers and citizens face dangers of ‘profit driven energy grid’

The big turnout in the demonstration reflects the level of frustration regarding EU energy policies, or the lack of them. Unless the EU institutions adopt a co-ordinated, responsible approach to energy liberalisation, it is ultimately the European citizens who will bear the brunt of market forces, through higher prices and lower standards.

"Without proper social control and regulation both at the European and national level, there is a real danger of major job losses, social and environmental dumping, higher prices for small consumers, and deteriorating quality of service", said Lars Myhre, addressing 5000 demonstrating energy workers from different European countries. Myhre is the President of the ICEM-affiliated Norwegian Oil and Petrochemical Workers' Union (NOPEF) and the Chairman of EMCEF's and ICEM's Energy Committees.

"There must be protection for jobs and for public services", said Carola Fischbach-Pyttel, EPSU General Secretary. "Despite an intensive lobbying campaign to highlight the haemorrhaging of jobs, the Commission seems blind to the dangers of a profit driven European energy grid. "

Franco Bisegna, EMCEF General Secretary, said that "the Commission must show willingness to prepare a package that stimulates employment and facilitates re-training – the Energy Ministers can provide vital direction on this matter."

High Quality Public Services Essential in the Energy Sector

The emphasis on responsible policy was underlined by Jean Lapeyre, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). "The energy sector has the chance to be a leader for responsible, citizen-based public services. The ETUC Charter for Public Services calls on all actors in essential services to be aware of the wider dimension including citizen’s rights and environmental concerns."

The European Federation of Public Services Unions is the largest federation affiliated to the ETUC and represents 10 million workers providing services to the public in health and social care, local, regional and central government, and utilities in energy, water and waste.

The European Mine, Chemical & Energy Workers' Federation is affiliated to the ETUC with 3 million members in 27 countries in the EU and Central and Eastern Europe. EMCEF organises workers in the energy industries including coal and lignite mines, oil, gas, nuclear and renewables.