CIA seeks flexible working hours
15 Jan 2000
The Chemical Industries Association is lobbying the Government for a `flexible' interpretation of the European working time directive. The current method of `mutual agreement' on working conditions between companies and employees at a local level should be maintained by `whichever party forms the next government,' it says.
The directive allows for exceptions from some of its rules - for example, the maximum working week of 48 hours - by `collective agreement'. This is a problem in the UK, as collective bargaining is no longer the norm, particularly in the chemical industry where unions often have limited bargaining powers or are not recognised. The CIA suggests that agreements should be made at a variety of levels, ranging from an entire company to the staff at a particular site, or plant, or even shift team.
