Conflict marks challenging bargaining round in state sector
This year’s negotiations over a new two-year agreement in the state sector were marked by two unusual developments - a lock-out of teachers by the employers and government intervention. The agreement itself continues to apply the mechanism linking pay developments with those in the private sector. This means that there is effectively a pay freeze in the public sector in 2013, with a 1.1% increase for 2014. Read the OAO report at > EPSU (EN)
Difficult negotiations in local government
The results of negotiations in the municipal and regional sector in Denmark was very poor according to the unions in the sector. It is still being debated whether the members will see their wages rise in line with the inflation. But because of the economic crises and the very low wage development in the private sector all unions in the public sector have recommended their members to accept the results. The collective agreement will be renewed for two years with a 0.7% general wage increase in 2013 and 1.21% in 2014. There is an additional 0.25% for improving agreements from 1 January 2014. It is important to note that the unions managed to fight off employer demands for more working time flexibility, less security for elected shop stewards and ending the mechanism which guaranties a parallel wage development between the private and public sector. The results are now out for membership ballot.
1 November marks equal pay day
The FOA public services union argues that women should take the rest of the year off because of the scale of the gender pay gap. On average women are paid 18% less than men which effectively is like being paid only for 10 months a year and so they should refuse to work from 1 November until the end of the year. FOA argues that efforts to close the gender pay gap have been piecemeal and what is needed is major and coordinated action. Read more at > FOA (DK)
Municipalities must spend more on childcare staff
The government has committed DK 500 million (€67m) to improving staffing ratios in child care centres. The FOA public services union has been concerned that some local authorities will use the additional funds for other purposes. However, the government has reaffirmed that the money must be used to increase child care staff. Read more at > FOA (DK)
Wages lag behind inflation
The OAO public sector trade union organisation has published data on pay developments across the public and private sectors. It notes that average pay in the state sector fell by 0.6% in the year to February 2012 - the first year of the two-year agreement negotiated in 2011. The report also notes that wage developments across the economy have not kept pace with inflation. The OAO is a coordinating body that brings together 16 trade unions in the state and local government sectors. It has produced English publications on collective agreements in the state sector and on social clauses in procurement. Read more at > OAO (DK) And OAO publications in English at > OAO
Dealing with violence at work
The FOA public services union and Danish Nurses’ Organisation organised a joint conference on 29 May to discuss how to deal with the problem of violence in psychiatric care. The two organisations are concerned about the level of violence including very serious cases and they argue that strategies are needed to prevent and manage incidents. The unions note that increased pressure of work, the risk of working alone and shortage of staff have contributed to the problem. Read more at > FOA (DK)
Union warns against threat to paid breaks
The FOA public services union has criticised employers for suggesting that paid breaks should be cut. A survey of the union’s members in hospitals and elder care found a half reporting that their breaks were regularly disrupted with a fifth working through most of their breaks. The union says it would create chaos if paid breaks were cut and that staff would not be available to deal with problems during breaks if unpaid. Read more at > FOA (DK)
Trade unions call for action on equal pay
The FOA public services union has joined up with several other trade unions to call for government action to close the gender pay gap. The organisations, along with the Women’s Council, have put forward a range of measures including more paternity leave and changes to the Equal Pay Act. The unions argue that segregation of the labour market is one of the key issues and that it should be possible to compare work of equal value across sectors. They are also calling for more transparency in wage data from employers. Read more at > FOA (DK)
Union survey reveals staffing problems in childcare
A survey commissioned by the FOA public services union found that over a fifth of childcare workers said they often didn’t have enough time to comfort children who are upset. The survey also showed that 41% (up from 35% in 2010) of childcare workers thought that at least once a day there were unable to provide proper care to children who are upset or those with disruptive behaviour. The FOA was pleased that the government had pledged an extra DKr 500 million (€67 million) for staffing in the sector although it wasn’t convinced that this was enough to provide adequate levels of staffing for the whole sector. Read more at > FOA (DK)
Union welcomes initiative on home care
The FOA has welcomed the setting up of a commission to examine home care provision. The union argues strongly that the quality and dignity of care need to be at the centre of the commission’s considerations. Above all FOA will be urging the commission to take full account of the contribution of thousands of health and social care professionals to the quality of home care and shift the focus away from the obsession with cutting costs that has been the primary approach of many municipalities in recent years.
RSS 2.0