TNT updates and improves

The scheme at TNT was already a good one. The management and employee representatives talk at least twice a year; the description of the rights (and intentions) is broad and even the facilities of the European Works Council at TNT are relatively favourable. It is no exaggeration to say, Mensink confirms, that on a number of important points the old TNT scheme already went further than the European Works Council directive, even in its recently new and improved form. The reason for adapting the agreements was the enlargement of the EU. Mensink: 'TNT is everywhere and the number of seats threatened to exceed what we had agreed on and thought was useful.' The division of seats is no longer arranged on the basis of percentages, but in numbers. The total number of seats has been set at 35. To make space for others (for example a company has just been added in Slovenia), the Dutch have renounced one of their six seats.

One improvement is that the everyday management of the European Works Council (the 'select committee') can meet more often than is now the case. It is entitled to at least four meetings per year: two to prepare meetings with the management and two to handle other matters. According to Mensink provisions about education and training have been improved and made clearer. All members are entitled to at least four days’ training per term of four years, with external support. In addition, they can take individual courses. The management above all backs the idea that everyone learns sufficient English, and according to Mensink that is in everyone’s interests. 'The language we work in is English. We are supported by interpreters but it is not enough. You also have to be able to talk with each other informally when there are no interpreters.' Language lessons are not the only thing he is thinking of. 'Above all members from Eastern Europe have some catching up to do with regard to understanding employee participation and labour relations.'

TNT’s European Works Council will get its own budget. The precise sum has not been determined yet. According to Mensink the European Works Council has already been promised that it will still be possible to exceed the budget, as long as agreement about this is reached in advance. Some members were afraid that a budget takes away more freedom to act than it gives. Mensink feels that this concern is unnecessary. The new agreement was signed in February. Mensink also signed, even though he had retired prematurely as of 1 January. It was his last act on behalf of the European Works Council whic