APC 2014 Annual Report Download - page 92

2SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTED TO AND ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES
During the 4thquarter of 2014, a three year coordinated bargaining This harmony has been achieved through time-tested collective
agreement was reached with the three international unions in the bargaining process involving Unions or Workers Representative
United States. Union agreements were also ratified with employees Committees. In some of the units where there is no recognized
at Juno Lighting Group. Meetings are held twice a year with the unions, this bargaining process is continued with elected Employee
international representatives of these unions to maintain Committees such as Welfare (Works Committee), Health & Safety,
communications and to review business strategies. Canteen, Sports, Transport, etc., including a special committee for
women employees (fully compliant to the prevention of sexual
Social dialogue in Mexico
harassment as per local laws, duly represented by external women
leaders with legal background). These committees provide a
In Mexico, Schneider Electric leaders have regular communication platform for employees to represent their concerns, collective
with the employees on topics related to their jobs: this grievances and workplace related issues to the management. All
communication takes place in different ways, including large employee engagement programs are run through these
communication meetings and small group conversations. There is committees with the active participation of every employee.
also continuous communication with the Union leaders and The process of social dialogue also includes employee
delegates of four national Unions which represent unionized communication in small groups as well as through Town Hall
employees. Schneider Electric keeps them informed of internal and communication on Company performance, strategy and
external issues impacting the company’s results, listens to their challenges.
concerns and looks for alignment with the company strategy and
challenges. Schneider Electric and the Unions review the collective
Child Labor & Human Rights
contract every year.
In 2014, Schneider Electric Mexico was certified by CEMEFI as a Schneider Electric commits in its «Principles of Responsibility» to
«Socially Responsible Company». The mission of CEMEFI is to complying with local law in every country where it operates.
foster and enhance the culture of philanthropy and social Updated in 2013, this common reference shared with all Schneider
responsibility in Mexico and strengthen the organized and active Electric’s employees worldwide relies on the 10 principles of the
participation of society in solving community problems. Different Global Compact, the Guiding Principles of the Organization for
topics are evaluated during the certification process, including Economic Cooperation and Development, the Universal
active labor relations points. This certification confirms previous Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor
awards that had been granted to Schneider Electric Mexico around Standards.
social responsibility, diversity and family policy in the previous Regarding Child Labor & Human Rights in particular, Schneider
years. Also, one major Mexican plant was part of an audit Electric’s Principles of Responsibility mention explicitly the first,
according the EICC Code, confirming its compliance on social, second and fifth principle of the Global Compact, which
environmental and ethical standards. respectively provide that «Businesses should support and respect
Social dialogue in China
the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights, Make
sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses» and that
businesses should uphold «the effective abolition of child labor.»
The Group has 39entities and over 100sites in China. Unions are
set up in 23 of them. Unions give input in the review of the local The application of these principles is ensured by a management
policy relating to employees’ remuneration. Unions also take a key system including the worldwide deployment of a training module
role in leading employee events and activities. The Group has that all employees must undergo an ethical alert process to report
discussed the collective contract with Unions for several plants. and prevent any breach. At country level, each Country President
Four entities have already signed the collective contract. is accountable for Schneider Electric’s compliance with the
country’s regulations and must ensure a follow-up of the potential
Social dialogue in India
evolutions of these regulations to maintain compliance.
In its purchasing strategy, Schneider Electric has defined «off-limit
Schneider Electric India has a strong social dialogue culture with
situations» at suppliers’; child labor is one of them. These
both unionized and non-unionized employees. In 2014, Schneider
situations are unacceptable for a Schneider Electric supplier.
Electric India has had cordial Industrial relations throughout its
Processes and training are being deployed among the purchasing
factories.
function to learn how to detect these situations and react when
facing an ethical dilemma.
90 2014 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC