Big name in UNICE

Date: 11/12/1997

PEOPLE like Tish.

As the man who has been secretary-general of EU employers' federation UNICE for the past 12 years prepares to move on to pastures new, it is difficult to find anyone who has a bad word to say about Zygmunt Tyskiewicz.

Indeed, the only critics of the affable Anglicised-Pole are exasperated EU journalists who regularly complain that he has the most difficult-to-spell name in Brussels.

A typical reaction to Tyskiewicz - who, at his own insistence, is almost universally known as 'Tish' - comes from Emilio Gabaglio, his long-time sparring partner in negotiations between the EU's social partners as head of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

“I have always had the impression that while he was defending UNICE's position, he fully understood the position I was defending. Sometimes it was difficult for us to work together, but he was always cordial,” he says.

Despite the fact that the two have come to political blows on many occasions during the past decade of painful industrial restructuring and major job losses across the Union, their personal relationship seems to have remained intact.

“When he goes I will miss him not only as a partner, but also as a friend,” says Gabaglio.

The ETUC general secretary argues that Tyskiewicz's ability to stick to his guns while at the same time being able to understand the other side's point of view has proved crucial in the development of the 'social dialogue' between employers and trade unions over the past 12 years.

“He is tough but reliable. For me, the watershed came in 1991 when we jointly presented the draft text which would form the basis of the Maastricht Treaty's social chapter,” says Gabaglio.

The low point in relations between the two men came three years later when, under the terms of that same Maastricht chapter, they were unable to reach agreement on the basis for the European Works Council Directive. Their failure to find common ground meant the European Commission was eventually forced to impose a settlement on them.

Gabaglio argues that Tyskiewicz has on occasions been restricted in his room for manoeuvre during negotiations by the structure of UNICE, which is a federation of national federations. These organisations often have a very conservative outlook, he adds.

“If we were not always able to go as far as we wanted, it was not always due to his views but to the limitations of his constituency's political will. UNICE is in need of constitutional reform,” comments the ETUC boss provocatively.

Tyskiewicz took up his job at the federation after running the Shell oil company's Greek operations for several years. He is understood to have been suggested for the post by UNICE's then chairman, Lord Ray Pennock.

The British peer had apparently heard that Tyskiewicz was interested in the UNICE position, as Shell company policy meant he was about to be obliged to take early retirement. The secretary-general-to-be went through a formal selection procedure before taking up his new role, but he was always the clear favourite to get the job.

Once installed in Brussels, he set about reforming an organisation which had earned itself a reputation for being somewhat stuffy and bureaucratic.

“UNICE used to be a fairly stiff and formal organisation from a staff point of view. When he arrived and started calling people by their first names, one or two people found it difficult to adapt at first. But he has really turned the organisation round,” explains Nick Phillips, who advises the federation on its relations with the European Parliament.

If Tyskiewicz has any real faults in the eyes of his employees, they are that he is something of a 'workaholic' and sometimes prone to be just a bit stubborn.

“One of his favourite sayings is 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks', but he was saying that even when he first came here and he wasn't that old then,” says one former personal assistant.

However, colleagues concede that while it is an uphill struggle to make the boss change his mind, it is not totally impossible.

“He has a very strong personality. When he thinks things must go in a certain direction it is difficult to make him change his approach, but he is open to persuasion and he is prepared to accept when he has made a mistake,” says one.

Tyskiewicz's obvious relish for his job has occasionally proved a bit of a bone of contention for his staff.

“One of his most annoying habits is personally picking up the phone after office hours and passing the caller on to members of staff just as they are about to leave,” says one UNICE employee.

The UNICE secretary-general also seems to find it difficult to say 'no' when it comes to accepting official speaking engagements.

“He will talk to anyone from the Red Cross to the Boy Scouts, even when it has nothing to do with UNICE,” explains one long-time colleague.

“I remember he once made a speech to the European Schools of Advanced Engineering, Education and Research, and he is the least technical person I know. He openly admits that he needs help from his son to change the time on the clock in his car,” she adds.

One of the key reasons why Tyskiewicz likes making speeches is that he is, by all accounts, very good at it.

“He has a tremendous ability to put a case and make it live. He can make the dustiest subjects sound interesting,” explains Phillips.

The secretary-general also seems to have a natural ability to pitch a particular speech to a particular audience - a gift aided by the fact that he speaks four languages - French, Spanish, English and Greek.

“He is a very good speaker and when he addresses Spanish people he always tries to put in Spanish examples. He tells good jokes and even knows some funny Spanish ones,” says José Isaias Rodriguez, Brussels representative of the Spanish employers' federation.

However, there is a down-side to Tyskiewicz's interest in languages, as anyone who has ever had to prepare a report or memo for him will confirm.

“He pays great attention to the use of language. Papers come back covered with red pen. He's very schoolmasterly,” says one employee.

“You know your career with UNICE is assured when your 'red pen curve' diminishes,” she adds.

Just what Tyskiewicz will do when he leaves Brussels early next year is not clear, but it seems unlikely he will be content to stay at home reminiscing about old times.

“The fact that he is a workaholic could be a problem when he retires,” says one former colleague.

“Tish's hobby is to work and I am sure he will continue with his personal battle to create a more integrated Europe,” confirms Rodriguez.

Whatever else he does, it seems almost certain that Tyskiewicz will not settle in one place when he leaves UNICE. He is bound to spend a fair amount of time in London, but he has always retained strong links with his native Poland and is likely to continue to make regular visits there. In addition, he has a house in Corfu which he bought while working in Greece.

His many admirers and friends in Brussels will also be hoping that he finds time to drop in on the self-styled capital of Europe from time to time.

BIO