B3-1274, 1277 and 1317/93

Resolution on closures and relocations of industrial activities

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the decision of CPC Europe Limited and Coopers Oil Limited to transfer production to France and Italy, and of CPC International Limited to acquire the German company Pfanni Werke Otto Eckart,

-having regard to the significant loss of jobs, 345 in Paisley and 300 in Livingston, and to the decision of the workers at both plants to campaign against these proposals,

- having regard to the Timex strike and subsequent closure at Dundee which has highlighted the differences which exist between the Member States in the field of workers' rights and trade union law, and to the transfer of some of the jobs to Besançon,

-having regard to the decision to close the Moyeuvre Roncourt iron mine in Lorraine,

-having regard to its earlier resolutions on the "Hoover" affair, the 1989 Social Charter, the Social Protocol and social dumping,

A.whereas unemployment has reached unacceptable levels in the areas concerned,

B.whereas failure to take proper account of social and environmental costs in calculations of profitability distorts global competition, leading to massive relocation of activities,

C.whereas the UK government refuses to sign the Agreement on Social Policy annexed to the Maastricht Treaty,

D.whereas no employer should have the right to dismiss staff involved in a lawful trade dispute,

1.Regrets that the Council of Social Affairs Ministers failed to agree proposals for a European Works Council Directive at its June 1993 meeting;

2.Calls on the management of CPC Europe Limited and Coopers Oil Limited to abandon their proposals;

3.Urges the Belgian Presidency and the Commission to take all possible steps to secure the passage of the European Works Council Directive using if necessary the Maastricht Social Protocol, in the event of continued UK obstruction;

4.Calls on the UK government to demonstrate its bona fides as a member of the Community and its respect for the wishes of its own citizens by signing the Maastricht Social Protocol and the 1989 Social Charter;

5.Asks that the Moyeuvre Roncourt mine remain open and that iron mining in Lorraine continue;

6.Calls on the governments of the Member States to ensure that, in the event of closure proposals, an independent audit is made of the social and environmental costs;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the Member States, the managements of the companies concerned and the social partners.