In 2011 a Model of International Industrial Relations was drawn up at Group level, integrated with the elements underpinning the international nature of the Group, such as the Code of Ethics, the Leadership Model, the Management Model and Corporate Social Responsibility strategies. This model aims to become the reference point for industrial relations at global level, so as to guarantee an integrated and coherent approach, while not overlooking the individual nature of each country in which Enel operates.
From the beginning, Enel has had an open and totally cooperative relationship with union representatives. This is confirmed by the high percentage of Group employees who are covered by collective-bargaining agreements, not only in Italy (where all of them are), but also in countries where, even at the national level, there is a less consolidated tradition of cooperation between the industrial system and union representatives.
With regard to the right to strike, as early as 1991 Enel and the Italian unions signed an agreement aimed at balancing the exercise of this fundamental right with the need to guarantee an essential public service such as electricity. This agreement was rescinded by the unions on June 11, 2009. When the latest contract was negotiated, an understanding was reached on guidelines for a new agreement to replace the one that the unions had rescinded.
As part of these guidelines, the parties agreed on the principle that strikes in the electricity industry must be carried out with procedures that in any case ensure the continuity and security of the service to all users. In addition to complying strictly with regulations in all the countries it which it operates, Enel’s approach is to systematically carry on consultations between the parties at all levels on issues of common interest and in general to seek in all circumstances an appropriate level of agreement by employees on corporate strategies, as recommended by the industry regulations (article 2, “Industrial Relations”, of the CCNL – the National Collective Labor Contract – of July 18, 2006).
In Italy, the Industrial Relations Protocol that Enel signed with the most representative unions regulates union relations, going deeper into the practices already provided for at the industry level. In effect, in the event of significant organizational changes the Protocol provides for a preliminary discussion with the workers’ representatives, which must not last longer than three months. Before the discussions begin, Enel is committed to put all the documentation available, in its entirety, at the disposal of the parties in order to ensure that the workers’ representatives have a complete view of the project and can thus state their proposals.
Last update: July 2012
