European trade unions send a warning to AB-InBev

EFFAT, the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions, in its statement argues that a very significant part of AB-InBev’s profits are still generated in western Europe and that AB-InBev is dependent on beers, such as Stella Artois, Beck’s and Leffe that trade on centuries of European brewing traditions.

“The people who make and look after AB-InBev beers are the inheritors of those traditions, and they are the guardians of the quality and identity of those beers. If AB-InBev is to become ‘the Best Beer Company in a Better World’ it must see them as vital assets to be nurtured”, EFFAT says.

“However, in recent times AB-InBev’s top management has lost sight of this fact. This is a very serious problem which is damaging the company as well as the lives of those who work for it”, EFFAT believes.

EFFAT insists that AB-InBev’s management must stop cutting and outsourcing jobs and instead work with EFFAT and national trade unions to maintain secure long-term employment in the company; develop a positive long-term vision for the European businesses that recognises the value of its European beers and the people who are the guardians of those beers; and provide timely information and consult with the European works council at the planning stage of any future proposals for significant transnational changes – before business plans are agreed by the board.

“We can see that things will not get better without such significant changes. We are now preparing ourselves for the worst and we are ready to begin coordinated European actions if and when necessary. However, we urge the decision makers in AB-InBev not to allow the situation to deteriorate further in this way”, EFFAT states.