The ETF has published new guidelines to support unions and workers’ representatives during transnational company restructurings, providing practical tools and clear procedures for coordination and action when jobs and working conditions are at risk.
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, restructuring has become a routine feature of company strategy – often involving multiple countries and various forms. This complexity creates new challenges for trade unions, as companies increasingly use restructuring to cut costs and divide workers across borders. ETF’s new guidelines aim to strengthen solidarity, coordination, and early intervention in these processes.
The document outlines how unions can anticipate and react to restructurings, stressing the importance of timely information-sharing and strong cooperation between European Works Councils (EWCs), company networks, national trade unions, and the ETF. EWCs and company networks are presented as key tools to detect early warning signs, share information, and coordinate union strategies at the European level.
ETF also defines a structured process for setting up cross-border coordination meetings, ensuring rapid and united trade union responses to company announcements. These meetings bring together ETF affiliates, EWC members, coordinators, and sectoral officers to agree on common strategies—ranging from solidarity actions and press campaigns to negotiations with management or advocacy at EU level.
“Transnational problems require transnational solutions,” the document reaffirms. With these guidelines, ETF seeks to empower unions across Europe to defend workers’ rights more effectively, ensuring that restructuring is managed in a fair, transparent, and socially responsible way.
For more information, download the full guidelines here or visit the Restructuring Navigator tool developed in cooperation with ETF and other European Trade Union Federations.
