International Labor Federation, Chlorine Companies to Study Chlorine Chemistry Sustainability, Health, Environmental Issues

Historic meeting yields agreement to seek solutions, bringing environmentalists, others into process

The headquarters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Washington, DC, was the scene of a historic March meeting between U.S. chlorine chemistry companies and the global labor federation representing 20 million organized workers, including millions of chemical workers, in over 100 countries.

ARCC unions and companies were active participants. Participating were the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Unions (ICEM) and major affiliated chemical unions from the United States and Europe, as well as the U.S. Chlorine Chemistry Council (CCC) and a number of its member companies. Independent researchers and an official of the U.S. State Department provided technical presentations.

After two days of discussions, the leaders agreed to work together on an international basis to address issues of vital importance to global chlorine chemistry industries, workers and communities (see Summary of Key Agreements).

Victor Thorpe, ICEM General Secretary, said, "We are very encouraged at the willingness of the participating chemical companies to work with labor unions in planning the industry's long-term future."

Kip Howlett, CCC's Managing Director, said, "We are exceedingly pleased to be working with the labor unions on these important health, safety and environment issues."

In discussions, unions took the position that long-term employment and sustainable environment, health and safety (EHS) performance must be priorities of the chlorine chemistry industries. Companies agreed, noting their commitment to sustainable production, and recognizing the legitimacy and role of unions in the workplace. Unions and companies agreed that the long-term sustainability of the chlorine industries would require the support and input of governments, communities and environmental groups in order to address the "credibility gap" affecting public perception of chemical manufacturing.

The two sides decided to develop a position to present to the wider stakeholder community. The leaders noted that a healthy chemical industry was critical to providing materials, products and "knowledge based" jobs needed for the hi-tech economies of the future. In cases where questions exist about the impact of specific chlorine chemistry processes or products, both sides agreed that the results of unbiased scientific research should form the basis for action and agreed to jointly consider design and funding of EHS research.

Globally, chlorine chemistry provides many basic products and represents investments worth hundreds of billions of dollars, employing as many as five million workers. ICEM estimates that 2.5 million of its members work in the chlorine-related industries. The CCC represents companies that supply over 90 percent of U.S. chlorine production.

According to ARCC Co-Chair Wayne Glenn, President Emeritus of the United Paperworkers International Union, "We are intent on a common goal - sustainable industry with long-term employment." Glenn was a leading participant in the ICEM/CCC meeting.

Participant Charles Mears, Executive Vice President of Occidental Chemical Company, said, "We look forward to working with the unions to create a sustainable future for our industry."

Representatives of the United Paperworkers, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, the Laborers International Union, the International Chemical Workers, the Sheet Metal Workers, the Steelworkers and the Electrical Workers participated in discussions and social events over the two-day meeting. International union representatives included the German chemical workers and the Danish general workers unions. ARCC companies included Occidental Chemical, Olin Chlor Alkali Products, Kimberly-Clark, Dow Corning and Vulcan Chemical. Unions and corporations from a variety of nations are expected to participate in the next round of discussions.

Both sides expressed the hope that this new process would expand to include as many participants as possible. At the conclusion of the meeting, a joint statement of purpose was released to the media.