In what appears to be a real culture clash, the USO trade body is criticizing the Charter agreed between management at the chemical company and its European Works Council, over recognition for experience gained through trade union and staff representation activities (c.f. article No. 10618). The charter that draws on French practice and aims to promote the employability of staff representatives and to include their representation experience in their professional career paths. However, a representative of the USO trade body (the third most prominent Spanish trade union), which has previously brought several legal proceedings against Solvay management, is arguing that a staff representative should not be subject to discriminatory or specific financial treatment.
The USO representative at chemical company Solvay’s Torrelavega site in the northern Spanish region of Cantabria decided to donate to an NGO the €1,200 he had received corresponding to a recent career promotion. The representative made it clear his donation was in protest at the agreement struck at Solvay Group level that ensures trade union delegates’ salaries progress when they completely fulfil their trade union duties, which was his situation.
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