Education workers in dispute

Several unions, including Kommunal, Vision, ASSR and Vårdförbundet, have welcomed the resolution of a dispute with Church of Sweden over a transition agreement. The dispute, which involved some targeted industrial action, meant that the pay rise and general collective agreement for 2022-23 were postponed but are now being implemented as the unions finalise the details of the agreement covering job transitions with important provisions on careers and training.

Workers across higher education - from catering and cleaning workers to college lecturers and administrators - were involved in strike action on 31 October in protest at the 1% pay increase offered by employers. The unions point out that their members have lost 15% of purchasing power over the past four years and around 4000 employees are paid less than the living wage. [Read more at > UNISON->http://www.unison.org.uk/news/strike-over-phantom-pay-rise-leaves-universities-and-colleges-resembling-ghost-towns] [And at > Unite->http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/unite-university-staff-strike

A concerted campaign by nine trade union organisations and four professional associations has lead to a commitment from the government to improved recognition of qualifications for social and educational workers. Demonstrations on 16 March, 7 April and most recently on 16 June have resulted in the government promising draft regulations recognising specific diplomas by the autumn. The unions are also demanding a meeting with ministers to make progress on their other key demand a movement up the pay scale and comparable salary improvements in the private sector. [Read more at > CFDT Interco (FR)