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Jul. 23, 2005

The unions involved in the FNSFP public services federation in Portugal report a very high level of support for the strike on 15 July. The action was called in protest at the government's plans for large cuts in public spending which would threaten workers' pay and conditions as well as leading to an increase in the retirement age. Read more at > FNSFP Read more at > STAL

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Jul. 23, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 22 July 2005

Progress in non-profit sector in Wallonia

Belgium

The long-running dispute over pay, hours and employment in the health and social service sector in Belgium could be nearing its end as the government in the French-speaking area of the country, Wallonia, has agreed further funding. This ensures pay increases for many workers in the sector as were agreed as far back as 2000 but other workers may have to wait longer for their increases. [Read more at > SETCA-.http://www.setca.org/code/fr/newspage.cfm?id_news=542&tors=]

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Aug. 04, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 5 August 2005

Union resolved to continue action

Portugal

The STAL union has said it will consider further demonstrations and possible strike action from September if the government proves determined to push through the planned cuts in public spending which threaten public sector workers' pay and conditions and retirement rights. Read more at > STAL

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Aug. 04, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 5 August 2005

Gas and electricity pay increases

Belgium

A pay increase of 1.78% backdated to January 2005 has been agreed in the gas and electricity sectors in Belgium according to the EIRO industrial relations observatory. A further increase of 0.4% will be implemented from October and in January 2006 the increase will be in line with the increase in prices. Read more at > EIRO

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Aug. 04, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 4 July 2005

GREECE - national and local government workers take to the streets

Greece

The Greek civil service union ADEDY organised a four-hour stoppage on Friday 24 June while the local government workers' union POE-OTA are taking action today. Both organisations are protesting at government plans to reform the social security system. The ADEDY action was called to coincide with action in the private sector where the banking unions in particular are campaigning against the imposition of later retirement. Read more at > ERT news website

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Aug. 04, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 4 July 2005

PORTUGAL - public service workers follow demonstration with strike call

Portugal

Following a major national demonstration in Lisbon on 17 June, unions in the FNSFP public service federation have called a general strike in public administration for 15 July. The unions are opposing government plans for significant changes to working conditions in the public sector, including later retirement. The government argues that the cuts are necessary to reduce its budget deficit. Read more at > FNSFP

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Sep. 02, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 2 September 2005

Union opposition to retirement age change

Portugal

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

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Oct. 02, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 1 October 2005

Prison guards' dispute

Belgium

Prison guards in Antwerp resumed strike action last week in protest over staffing levels and overcrowding. They had been providing a minimum service but decided to move to strike action at the weekend with a return to minimum service on Monday. Other prisons in Belgium were hit by strike action earlier this year over staffing levels and overcrowding. Read more at > the VRT news service And at > Le Soir newspaper

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Oct. 02, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 1 October 2005

Pay demand of 5.5% for 2006

Portugal

Public administration unions in the FCSFP federation are calling for a 5.5% increase for 2006 and a minimum increase of €50 to help lower paid workers. The unions argue that workers in public administration have seen their purchasing power fall by 5% since 2000 as pay increases have fallen below inflation. Read more at > STAL

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Oct. 02, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 1 October 2005

Public sector workers plan demonstration

Portugal

Public service unions in the FCSFP federation are continuing to protest against government plans to reduce their employment rights and in particular increase the public sector retirement age. A national demonstration has been called for 14 October. Unions are also angry about government plans for water privatisation. Read more at > STAL

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Oct. 15, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 15 October 2005

Federation calls two one-day strikes

Portugal

The FNSFP public services federation has called two one-day strikes on 20 and 26 October. The first is part of the unions' continuing campaign of opposition to the government's proposed increase in pension age and latest pay offer which will mean another real cut in pay for public administration workers. The second strike is specifically aimed at the Ministry of Justice where again proposals on pensions and restructuring have angered unions along with the Ministry's failure to abide by collective bargaining agreements. [Read more at > FNSFP->http://www.fnsfp.pt/?pageact=art&id=584&idCanal=0]

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Oct. 15, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 15 October 2005

Strike against increase in pension age

Belgium

The FGTB/ABVV socialist union federation called a one-day general strike on Friday 7 October in protest at the government plans to cut back on early retirement so that workers will have to retire at 60 rather than have the option of retiring at 58. The Christian and Liberal union federations were still seeking further negotiations and although they didn't join the strike call did express support for any joint action at local level. [Read a report on the strike at > Business Week->http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8D37NOG0.htm?campaign_id=apn_euro_up&chan=gb] [Read the FGTB/ABVV

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Oct. 31, 2005

epsucob@NEWS 1 November 2005