APC 2013 Annual Report Download - page 95

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTED TO AND ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES
In2013, the European Works Council met seven times in three
Social dialogue in China
different locations in Europe: six restricted committee (“Bureau”) The Group has 38entities and over 100sites in China. Unions are
meetings and one plenary session. Three out of the six Bureau set up in 23 of them. Unions give input in the review of the local
meetings were held through conference calls as Amendment no.3 policy relating to employees’ remuneration. Unions also take a key
opened this possibility for information-only meetings. This allowed role in leading employee events and activities. The Group has
an active social dialogue at European level along with the in-depth discussed the collective contract with Unions for several plants.
discussion on key topics. Four entities have already signed the collective contract.
Group Works Council, France Social dialogue in India
The Schneider Electric Group Works Council France is a forum for Schneider Electric India has a strong social dialogue culture with
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economic, financial and social dialogue between senior both unionized and non-unionized employees. In 2013, as in the
management and the representatives of the employees from all previous years, Schneider Electric India has had cordial Industrial
French subsidiaries. relations throughout its factories. This harmony has been achieved
In2013, the Group Works Council for France enhanced its through time-tested collective bargaining process involving Unions
transversal information and understanding of business stakes and or Workers Representative Committees. In some of the units where
strategy of Schneider Electric, through two meetings during the there is no recognized unions, this bargaining process is continued
year which dealt, among other topics, with Schneider Electric’s with elected Employee Committees such as Welfare (Works
industrial policy and organization. Committee), Health & Safety, Canteen, Sports, Transport,etc.,
including a special committee for women employees (fully
For the same purposes, the Group Works Council also visited the compliant to the prevention of sexual harassment as per local laws,
newly built SETBT plant in Rennes. duly represented by external women leaders with legal
Social dialogue in the United States
background). These committees provide a platform for employees
to represent their concerns, collective grievances and workplace
In North America, regular communication takes place with both related issues to the management. All employee engagement
union and non-union employees on key business topics and trends programs are run through these committees with the active
affecting their jobs. Company officials meet on a semi-annual basis participation of every employee.
with key international union leaders to inform them of competitive The process of social dialogue also includes employee
issues impacting the company’s business, and to ensure alignment communication in small groups as well as through Town Hall
with the company’s business strategies and challenges, on a local, communication on Company performance, strategy and
regional and global basis. challenges.
September 2014 marks the end of the three year collective In2011, Schneider Electric Global Supply Chain India successfully
bargaining agreement with the three international unions in the negotiated an agreement through collective bargaining with two
United States as well as with the union that represents the Unions (Nashik and Chennai). Following this, Schneider Electric
employees at Juno Plant in Chicago. Meetings are held twice a agreed to fix all the terms on wages and benefits for the next four
year with the international representatives of these unions to years (valid until2014).
maintain communications and to review business strategies.
Child Labor & Human Rights
Social dialogue in Mexico
Schneider Electric commits in its “Principles of Responsibility” to
In Mexico, Schneider Electric leaders have regular communication complying with local law in every country where it operates.
with the employees on topics related to their jobs: this Updated in 2013, this common reference shared with all Schneider
communication takes place in different ways, including large Electric's employees worldwide relies on the 10 principles of the
communication meetings and small group conversations. There is Global Compact, the Guiding Principles of the Organization for
also continuous communication with the Union leaders and Economic Cooperation and Development, the Universal
delegates of three national Unions which represent unionized Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor
employees. Schneider Electric keeps them informed of internal and Standards.
external issues impacting the company’s results, listens to their
Regarding Child Labor & Human Rights in particular, Schneider
concerns and looks for alignment with the company strategy and
Electric’s Principles of Responsibility mention explicitly the first,
challenges. Schneider Electric and the Unions review the collective
second and fifth principle of the Global Compact, which
contract every year.
respectively provide that “Businesses should support and respect
In 2013, Schneider Electric Mexico was certified by CEMEFI as a the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights, Make
“Socially Responsible Company”. The mission of CEMEFI is to sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses” and that
foster and enhance the culture of philanthropy and social businesses should uphold “the effective abolition of child labor.”
responsibility in Mexico and strengthen the organized and active
The application of these principles is ensured by a management
participation of society in solving community problems. Different
system including the worldwide deployment of a training module
topics are evaluated during the certification process, including
that all employees must undergo an ethical alert process to report
active labor relations points.
and prevent any breach. At country level, each Country President
This certification confirms previous awards that had been granted is accountable for Schneider Electric's compliance with the
to Schneider Electric Mexico around social responsibility, diversity country's regulations and must ensure a follow-up of the potential
and family policy in the previous years. evolutions of these regulations to maintain compliance.
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2013 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC