Poland - Public sector delays wages
A report by the Labour Inspectorate provides statistics on infringements of Labour law. While generally public sector employers were less likely to offend that the private sector they were more likely to be guilty of late payment of wages and other benefits.
Read more at > EIRO
Finland - Reform of pay spreads across state sector
Over half of state employees are now covered by pay systems where up to a third of pay is related to individual competence according to the EIRO industrial relations observatory. There are some concerns that the spread of the system, agreed by the social partners some time ago but only now being extended throughout the sector, will increase the gap between the low and high paid.
Read more at > EIRO
Portugal - Union opposition to retirement age change
The FNSFP public service union federation continues to express its opposition to government proposals to increase the pension age. From the end of this year a full pension will no longer be available at 60 after 36 years’ service. The age and length of service will gradually increase over the next 10 years until a full pension will only be available at 65 years of age after 40 years’ service.
Read more at > FNSFP
UK - Police staff in Scotland strike for first time
Over 3,000 staff providing technical and administrative support to the police in Scotland took strike action for the first time ever last month. The workers voted by more than two to one in favour of industrial action. They had been offered increases of 2.95% and 2.5% in a two-year pay deal but are demanding at least 3% in line with pay increases already awarded to police officers.
Read more at > UNISON
EU - More on the minimum wage
Following the major study of minimum wages by the EIRO industrial relations observatory in August, the Eurostat statistical body has just published its round-up of national minimum wage rates around Europe. It finds the monthly rates range from 72 euros in Romania to 1467 in Luxembourg. Don’t forget to comment on the draft EPSU policy document on low pay. If you would like a copy contact rpond@epsu.org.
Read more at > Eurostat
Germany - Doctors continue action
Another nationwide day of strike and protest action is planned by the Marburger Bund doctors’ union on 6 September. An estimated 10,000 joined strike and protest action in August in opposition to the regional government employers’ plans for a 42-hour working week and to cut Christmas and holiday pay.
Read more at > Marburger Bund
Ireland - Pensions boost for part timers
Civil servants working part time will see an improvement in their pension benefits as a result of new rules on the way pensions are calculated. The pension calculation will be based on length of service and pay as a proportion of those of full-time workers. Some civil servants who have already retired will also see an increase in their pensions as a result.
Read more at > IMPACT
Switzerland - Autumn pay demands and action over cuts
Public service unions are gearing up for the autumn round of pay negotiations and a day of action against job cuts and threats to public service provision. There will be demonstrations around the country on 15 September in protest at public spending cutbacks. EPSU affiliate, VPOD/SSP, will be joined by 16 other unions in a series of regional protests. Meanwhile, the union is putting job security and a 2% increase in real pay at the top of its bargaining agenda.
Read more about the day of action at > VPOD
Read more about pay (in German) at > SGB
Read more about pay (in French) at > SGB
France - Continued opposition to decentralisation
Public service unions are still concerned about the implications of a major decentralisation of staff. Thousands of civil servants currently directly employed by the public works ministry are set to be transferred to regional and local authority employment. Unions are worried about the failure to guarantee pay rates, career development and civil service status. A national demonstration has been organised for 7 September.
Read more at > FO
Netherlands - Unions win new deal in local government
The long-running dispute in the local government sector is over with a new collective agreement signed on 1 September. The agreement, backdated to 1 April 2004 will run until 1 December 2005 and will include a 1% pay increase effective from 1 June 2005 for the 190,000 workers in the sector. ABVAKABO negotiator Peter Wiechmann said that the long period of strike action was not in vain and an agreement wouldn’t have been reached without it. Further details of the agreement will be circulated to the epsucob@ network shortly.
Read more at > ABVAKABO
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