In order to use the limited resources
as efficiently as possible, activities were combined as much as
possible. In September 1994, a seminar was held, followed by a
meeting of the European Coordination Comitee and Coordination Comitee
Central and Eastern Europe in Mangalia on the Romanian Black Sea
coast. The seminar was for participants from Central and Eastern
Europe. The theme was "Migration and Minorities". In my
notes I read that the 3 hour journey from the capital Bucharest to
Mangalia was too long. I read in my notes also that the hotel had the
well known depressing atmosphere of old communist hotels, despite the
presence of Dutch and Flemish vacationers. But it was very cheap.
The travel expenses for participants
from Central and Eastern Europe to Mangalia were low because most
participants could come by car or train. Because the Western European
participants paid their own travel expenses, their expenses were not
paid by the WCL. Such a combination of activities meant, on the one
hand, a cut in costs but on the other hand also an additional burden
on the Secretariat. Thanks to the support of Cartel alpha it was all
still to do.
European Federation of Christian Miners
Unions EFCMU
In October 1994, the European Federation of
Christian Miners Unions EFCMU organized a seminar on the problems -
read closures- of coal mines. Besides the usual participants from
Western Europe (Germany, France and Belgium) also delegations from
Poland and Romania were present. Speakers included representatives of
the European Commission and the European Coal and Steel Community.
The seminar was held in the Jean Monnet Building of the European
Union in Luxembourg. At the seminar it was clear that in the future
more coal mines will be closed in France and Germany, and that the
same is going to happen in countries like Poland and Romania.
With the future closure of the coal
mines in Western, Central and Eastern Europe, the future of EFCMU
looked bleak. But despite this bleak outlook, the Board of the EFCMU
decided to continue in one way or another in favor of the Romanian,
Polish and other miners unions in Central and Eastern Europe, and if
possible also in the rest of the world. (See also part 23 of 'TheFall of the WCL').
In March 1999, the EFCM organized with the support of the Hungarian confederation Munkastancsok a European miners seminar in Budapest presided by EFCM President Jean Marc Mohr. |
On the 15th of December 1997, the Federation decided to cease to exist. Instead, an European Foundation for Christian Miners EFCM was established with the main objective to support miners' unions in Europe and the rest of the world, in building their organization for the struggle for a decent wage and labour conditions. The members of the fund paid an annual fee. Other organizations were asked for financial support for activities, for example, the Belgian Miners Fund that was established after the closure of the Belgian coalmines. The Foundation also decided to have a formal relation with the World Federation of Industrial Workers WFIW ( an international trade union federation affiliated to the WCL) by signing up a protocol. Because of the protocol, a board member of the WFIW became a member ex officio of the Board of the Foundation.
The closure of the mines in Europe went
through. The minutes of the meeting of the European Foundation for
Christian Miners held in Speyer, Germany on October 1, 2004, says on
the situation of the coal mines in France and Germany:
- In April 2004, all mining activities
in France have been finished.
- In Germany, there are about 20,000
miners. After 2005 there will be about 17,000 until about 2010. Until
2012, public funds are available for mining with the approval of the
European Commission.
On the situation in Central and Eastern
Europe, we read that:
"- In Albania still much has to be done
to create a democratic trade union culture to replace the old
communist culture . (The WFIW had for some time good relations with
the Albanian miners leader Gezim Kalaya, who after some time became
the President of the trade union confederation BSPSH - The Union of
Independent Trade Unions of Albania )
- WFIW Chairman Bart Bruggeman reports
on a conversation he had with representatives of the South African
trade union UASA . The metal and mining ( gold mining ) trade unions
may want to join the WFIW.
- The Argentine Federation ATE would
like to affiliate to the WCL. The miners and workers in the gas and
electricity sector may affiliate to the WFIW . Carlos Gaitan,
President of FLATIC ( the Latin American organisation affiliated to
the WFIW) has more information." (Because of these relations, the WFIW
organized a seminar for miners in Argentina. WFIW Secretary general
Italo Rodomonti was present at this seminar.)
Just one year later, the Foundation
ceased to exist due to the proposed merger plans between WFIW with
the ICEM within the context of the merger between the WCL and the
ICFTU .
In the minutes of October 28, 2005 of
the meeting held in Metz , France is to read the following :
“At this meeting the central question
is the future of the Foundation. Our Foundation has always conducted
its activities based on a protocol of cooperation with the WFIW. As
is known, the WFIW has a merger agreement with ICEM since its last
Congress in Senegal in june this year . Also, the WFIW Board talks
with IMF about the affiliation of its metal trade unions. The
question that arises, therefore, is whether it is possible to
continue, given the WFIW and hence the protocol of cooperation
between WFIW will cease to exist?
Serge notes that the CFTC (France)
will hold its National Congress in mid-November and that will be spoken
about new ways of working with other Christian organisations in
Europe. Adalbert reports that also in his confederation (DGB,
Germany) one is reflecting about the future and possible new and
different partnerships.
The general conclusion is that the
Foundation has no or at least insufficient possiblities to function.
Hence the decision of the Board to submit to the General Assembly the
proposal to dissolve the Foundation.”
Thus came to an end a carefully
constructed unique international solidarity network which had been build in many years with the aim to serve
miners trade unions worldwide in their fight for social justice, more
safety and a better income.
Moreover, one should not forget that the European Union after World War 2 started in this border region of France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands with the foundation of the European Coal and Steel Community. Reconciliation after World War 2 between these nations was brought into practice by these Christian trade unions of coalminers.
Moreover, one should not forget that the European Union after World War 2 started in this border region of France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands with the foundation of the European Coal and Steel Community. Reconciliation after World War 2 between these nations was brought into practice by these Christian trade unions of coalminers.
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