ALU: Modest Successes in Europe

On October 17th ECID issued a press release that is worthy of a larger audience. The committee states that the responsibility for the financial situation of Alcatel-Lucent rests squarely on the shoulders of management. Management should pay for the mistakes themselves and not the workforce.

ECID proposes different "measures" than those which will almost certainly be announced at the end of October:

• Reinforcement of the R&D; teams in Europe
• Maintenance of all activities
• New business areas for those who would have otherwise been made redundant and
• Adapting skills to the latest technologies

Undoubtedly such “measures” will find support in all countries and could form at least part of the basis for an international campaign against any further job losses.

The report of the ECID Liaison Committee held in Bratislava on September 28th 2007, documents a number of successes in the fight against redundancies. In France 324 new jobs will be created to compensate for the1330 jobs lost. The redundancy package also includes early retirement, something bitterly needed in countries like Germany (See Grundischerung: eine Idee zieht Kreise.)

In Italy, early retirement up to seven years before the normal retirement age is possible. Business plans have been agreed for the Italian sites and, importantly, a guarantee of a sufficient headcount for R&D.;

Admittedly, these successes are modest. However, they are also very significant because they show what is possible when we are prepared to struggle against redundancies. A lot more can be achieved internationally if we fight together. An alternative to the cuts and closures that will be announced in a few days was to be seen on the international demonstration in Paris: “Innovate don't Castrate”.