Industrial Relations in the UK Chemical Industry

1
Industrial Relations in the UK Chemical Industry

• Presentation to European Social Partners
  Conference
• London
• 16th September 2005

2
The Industry

• Turnover 75 billion Euros
• UKs No. 1 manufacturing exporter
• Annual trade surplus of
• over 5 billion Euros every year
• Over 200,000 people employed
• Wage rates 34 higher than general manufacturing
• CIA
• 150 member companies
• 200 sites
• Biggest/most influential for the industry

3
Health and Safety a firm foundation for
partnership

• UKs Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Embraced by the chemical industry
• Consolidated into Responsible Care
• Future challenges
• Health
• Sustainable development

4
Industrial Relations in the UK Myth vs Reality

• UK disputes 50 less than international
  community
• With EU UK has fifth lowest strike rate
• 2004 lowest level of labour disputes ever
• Legislation is part of the answer but pace of
  change too rapid for legislation to keep up
• Importance of PARTNERSHIP

5
Industrial Relations in the UK Chemical Industry

• No national bargaining
• High proportion of CIA members non-unionised
• But we have a high level of TU membership vs
  other sectors of economy

6
CIA/TUC Relationship Charter

• Signed in 2004
• Health, Safety Environment Agenda
• Competitiveness
• Sustainable Development
• Improving the Skills Base
• Influencing Europe
• Joint representation to policy makers
• Promotion of employment relations best practice
• Dispute resolution service

7
The Results

• 3 joint statements on REACH
• Chemicals Stakeholder Forum
• Skills Report
• Involvement in Sustainable Development
• Security
• Energy
• Modernisation

8
The Challenges

• Better Regulation
• REACH
• Competitiveness
• Innovation
• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT