At present, 57% (62) of Electrolux workforce is represented by an independent trade union or covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Freedom of Association
During the year, Electrolux signed an agreement with international unions IF Metal, Unionen and IMF to protect the rights of every employee to join trade unions of their choosing. It also promised not to adopt activities that discourage workers from forming unions.
Restructuring
As part of its restructuring program, Electrolux reduced its staff by approximately 900 employees during 2010, particularly affecting operations in Russia, Spain, USA and Sweden. Closing operations and times of layoffs are difficult for all involved, and the Group remains commited to being transparent and inclusive. During this process, Electrolux consulted with labor unions, politicians and public authorities to develop new employment and training opportunities.
Monitoring
As part of Code of Conduct audits, Electrolux checks to make sure that freedom of association and collective bargaining are part of doing business at each facility. Through the yearly ALFA questionnaire, 49 of 50 facilities confirmed that they adhere to the Workplace Standard, which includes instructions regarding freedom of association. ALFA (Awareness-Learning-Feedback-Assessment) assesses compliance with the Workplace Code of Conduct among all factories, warehouses and offices.