Chemical Companies, Labor Unions Agree: Industry's Responsible Care Program Should Improve, Expand, Include More Joint Activity

ICEM Union Affiliate Survey Shows Differences in Worker Knowledge, Involvement - Companies Continue Improvements

In October, 43 representatives from international labor, management, environmental, public health and research organizations met in Brussels, Belgium, to convene the Global Chlorine Chemistry Forum. The first meeting of the Forum was co-chaired by leaders of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) and the World Chlorine Council (WCC). ICEM represents over 20 million organized working people worldwide, while the WCC represents companies which produce chlorine and related products. Globally, as many as five million jobs depend on the chlorine chemistry industries. The Forum process is strongly supported by the ARCC.

This unprecedented Forum grew out of international discussions undertaken by unions and companies from the United States and Europe in March 1997 (see ARCC News #4). At that meeting, the participants agreed to consider projects including a sustainability study and the ICEM Responsible Care Survey. They also agreed to expand the process to include environmental representatives and other major public interest stakeholders. After two days of discussion, the Forum participants agreed to form a tripartite preparatory committee, composed of labor, management and public interest representatives, to continue this promising initiative. The tripartite committee will meet in January and the full Forum is scheduled to convene again in April or May 1998.

Many of the U.S.-based unions participating in the ARCC are North American Affiliates of the ICEM.

Several of the U.S.-based companies participating in the Forum are also ARCC members.