EPSU supports Czech unions’ rally over the cost-of-living

EPSU supports Czech unions in cost-of-living protest

EPSU supports Czech unions in cost-of-living protest

(2 September 2022) EPSU has today sent solidarity greetings to its Czech affiliates and their confederation, ČMKOS, in advance of their rally over the cost-of-living crisis.

The event will take place next Monday (5 September) in Prague with ČMKOS and its member unions calling for action to protect real incomes and to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and its social impacts. This rally will be held ahead of the Informal Meeting of Health Ministers, on the 7 September.

The solidarity message from EPSU General Secretary, Jan Willem Goudriaan, states how crucial this event is at a time when the Czech Republic holds the presidency of the European Council. He writes that it is “vital that the EU institutions and governments act urgently to address the surge in energy prices and ensure that the vulnerable and low paid children and pensioners can afford to feed themselves and heat their homes”.

The rally marks the beginning of what is likely to be an action-filled autumn with a national strike planned by the GSEE and ADEDY private and public sector confederations in Greece on 10 September and a national demonstration and regional actions organised by the ÖGB trade union confederation in Austria on 17 September. French unions are also planning protests in September while the Belgian confederations are discussing possible industrial action in early November.

You can read the letter here.

Czech Republic

More like this

Dec. 07, 2022

Confederations continue their pay and cost-of-living campaign

Belgium

Following the day of protest and strike action on 9 November, the three trade union confederations – ACV/CSC, ABVV/FGTB and CGLSB/ACLVB are planning further action with a national demonstration set for 16 December. The unions are calling for a revision to the salary law that restricts the unions’ scope to negotiate and they want to retain the pay indexation system that they are worried is under threat from the employers. Their other demands cover action on energy costs, a shift in taxation to support workers and measures to restrict flexi-jobs.

 S
Sep. 13, 2023

Unions mobilise over cost-of-living crisis

Austria

The ÖGB trade union confederation has called for a national protest on 20 September to put pressure on the government to address the cost-of-living crisis. The confederation estimates that food inflation alone has increased the annual bill for a family with two children by €1234, with higher energy costs adding a further €1335 on average. The ÖGB is calling for action on housing costs, including a freeze on rents, as well as measures to ensure affordable energy and a tax on energy companies’ excessive profits. The demonstration on 20 September will create a human chain around the national

 S