(4 June 2013) The European Works Council reached unanimous agreement with management on a new agreement. This agreement was necessary following the deconsolidation of Suez Environment which will no longer be fully integrated and hence needs to set up its EWC. The new agreement contains much of the old agreement but has been adapted in scope, meetings of working groups and secretariat reflecting a smaller remaining group. The EWC also received a report on the ongoing negotiations for a new (...)

(4 June 2013) The trade unions in GdFsuez and its management reached a comprehensive agreement on how to promote equality in the company on June 2012. The agreement foresaw the establishment of a follow up committee. It has 20 representatives including from the European Trade Union Federations. The main purpose of the committee meeting was to consider if and how the agreement was implemented. Management and trade union representatives gave an overview of the situation in their countries. (...)

(17 January 2013) Management announced the end of the shareholders pact by July 2013. The shareholders pact between GdfSuez, GBL, Areva and others ensured the full control of GdfSuez over Suez Environment. It could nominate 9 of the 18 members of the board including the President. It could nominate the CEO. The pact came about when GdF merged with Suez and at the same time brought Suez Environment (the water and waste parts) to the stock exchange. Several of the shareholders and most (...)

(EPSU Press communication - 7 June 2012) A new transnational company agreement was signed between representatives of the European trade union federations and management of GdfSuez, the French multi-utility company, 5 June 2012, Paris. The agreement aims to define unjustified differences between men and women and remove these to achieve pay equality between men and women and taking account of all salary elements and achieving a better balance between professional and family life. The (...)

(6 June 2012) The European Works Council (EWC) of GdfSuez held its ½ yearly meeting with the CEO Mr. Mestrallet. He introduced the company strategy and the priorities for the company which includes growing in markets in Asia-Pacific and Latin America and focusing on new activities. Particular attention was given to the take-over of the final shares of International Power (IP), energy services including smart metering, and research and development with discussion on shale gas and biogas. The (...)

(25 April 2012) The EWC of GdfSuez considered the proposal of GdfSuez to acquire the 30% remaining capital in International Power. GdfSuez already owns the rest. The company now owns 100% of its International Energy Branche. It fits the industrial and financial strategy the company has been pursuing.The EWC notes that the debt burden will increase with 6 billion Euros. The EWC notes that the strategy which focus on the development of the group towards emerging economies exposes the group (...)

(20 February 2012) The delegation of the trade unions and management finalized the negotiations on the equality agreement. The outstanding issues were considered and compromises agreed. The negotiations started with a presentation on past work done in Suez in December 2010 with several meetings to achieve an agreement. The negotiations were led by the three European Federations with members in GdfSuez (EPSU, EMF, EMCEF) The agreement covers a large range of issues: It refers to the (...)

(4 January 2012) Following the merger of Gdf and Suez in 2007 and several years of operation of several separate energy business lines the company wanted to bring these together. The new structure would group together 27.000 workers. The restructuring effects close to 2.500 workers directly particularly in those in corporate functions of the merged entities. Management consulted the EWC. The energy working group explored the possible implications and engaged the expertise of Secafi The (...)

(17 October 2011) The European Works Council of GdfSuez reached a groundbreaking opinion regarding the participation of the Chinese Sovereign wealth fund in the company. The opinion can be seen as a rebuff to the efforts of the Chinese government to win international respect. This remains difficult if transparency and labour rights are not respected. The French company GdfSuez is working on a deal to open the capital of its Gas exploration business (EPI) and oversees-LNG to the Chinese (...)

(12 September 2011) The negotiations to come to a transnational company agreement on equality is making good and steady progress. Large agreement exists over: Scope of the agreement Development and follow up of equality action plans and the involvement of local workplace representatives Importance of changing mentalities and behavior Communication on the agreement Dealing with recruitment Parity during career development Access to professional training Networking and (...)