Thousands support pensions protests
4 March 2010
The trade union organised protests against an increase in the pension age to 67 attracted thousands of supporters on 23 February. The CCOO and UGT confederations called on the government to negotiate alternatives to the proposed increase, arguing that the financing of the system was not under as much pressure as the government claimed. Over 70,000 joined the demonstration in Madrid but there were also major protests in Barcelona, Valencia and Oviedo and further demonstrations were planned for the other regional capitals around the country.
Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)
Pay protection for public sector confirmed
4 March 2010
The government has confirmed that it will honour its commitment not to maintain the purchasing power of public sector pay over the next three years 2010-2012. The unions had expressed concern that the government budget submitted to Brussels included cuts of 4%. While real pay will be maintained the government will be making savings by replacing only one in 10 of those who leave their jobs.
Read more at > FSP-UGT (ES)
Confederations announce joint campaign over pension age
15 February 2010
The two main union confederations – CCOO and UGT – have announced a nationwide campaign against the government’s plans to raise the pension age from 65 to 67. Over 100 demonstrations have been planned in the provincial capitals and other major cities in the two weeks at the end of February and beginning of March. The unions argue that the public pensions system is in good financial health and doesn’t need the drastic reform being proposed. They also argue that the government should be doing more to increase the minimum wage and reduce precarious employment conditions as ways of boosting payments into the social security system.
Read more at > CCOO (ES)
And at > UGT (ES)
Unions criticise proposal to increase retirement age
4 February 2010
The Spanish government is the latest to use the crisis to argue that an increase in retirement age is necessary. The main trade unions have attacked the plan to raise the retirement age from 65 to 67 as an unnecessary and disproportionate response to pressures on public spending. The unions say that other measures can be considered, including continuing the trend to less early retirement before 65.
Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)
And at > FSP-UGT (ES)
Unions sign equality agreement with water company
6 January 2010
The FSC-CCOO and FIA-UGT trade union federations have signed a new agreement on gender equality with Aqualia, one of the biggest water companies in Spain that provides services for 850 municipalities. The agreement requires the unions and employer to work together on a range of issues, including employment, training, promotion and pay. It also covers sexual harassment, one issue on which the company already had an agreement.
Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)
Confederations criticise minimum wage increase
6 January 2010
The CCOO and UGT trade union confederations have criticised the government for increasing the minimum wage by only 1.5% in 2010. They believe this calls into question the government’s commitment to achieve a €800 minimum wage by 2012. The rate will have to be increased by nearly 28% in just two years in order for the €800 target to be reached. The confederations support the idea that the level of the minimum wage should be at least 60% of average earnings.
Read more at > CCOO ES)
And at > UGT (ES)
Unions demonstrate over government response to the crisis
17 December 2009
The CCOO and UGT confederations organised a major demonstration in Madrid on 12 December challenging the government’s response to the crisis. The unions argue that proper social dialogue and collective bargaining are key to ensuring a way out of the recession that defends and creates jobs and public services. They have agreed on 12 action points that include a demand for a fairer tax system to fund more public investment in transport, health and education.
Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)
And at > UGT (ES)
And at > FSC-CCOO (ES)
Unions join together to demonstrate against privatization threat
16 November 2009
Around 1,000 firefighters and emergency service workers took to the streets of Santiago de Compostela on 30 October to demonstrate against plans by the Galician government’s privatization plans. The three main union federations – CCOO, UGT and CSI – supported the march, warning of the impact of privatization on the quality of services and of an increase in precarious employment conditions.
Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)
Unions sign three-year agreement with government
1 October 2009
The three main Spanish public service federations – CCOO, UGT and CSI-CSIF – have signed a new agreement with the government covering 2010-2012. On pay the agreement allows for a 0.3% increase in 2010 but a revision clause in the agreement allows for a higher increase to maintain purchasing power. The agreement includes a number of other measures covering modernisation of the public administration and implementation of elements of the basic law on public employment that was passed in 2007 but not fully put into effect.
Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)
And at > FSP-UGT (ES)
No pay freeze for public sector workers
13 September 2009
At a meeting with the three main public service unions – CCOO, UGT and CSI-CSIF – the government has confirmed that pay developments in the public sector over the next three years will maintain the purchasing power of the 2.5 million workers covered by the central negotiations. Unions had been concerned about the possibility of the government imposing a pay freeze and are still worried about job cuts, urging the government to maintain staffing levels in order to ensure quality services.
Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)
Read more at FSP-UGT (ES)
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