Collective Bargaining, Staffing levels, Czech Republic

The head of OSSOO, the Trade Union of State Bodies and Organizations, has written to the Prime Minister requesting a hearing on salaries in public services and administration. The union argues that a very large proportion of people working in the public sector who are ensuring the good functioning of services to the population, are no longer able to provide for themselves and their families. They are forced either to look for other jobs or to apply for social benefits. OSSOO warns that the public sector is becoming increasingly uncompetitive in the labour market and that the higher average

The OSZSP health and social care union has cited official statistics showing a shortage of 3000 nurses across the country to underline its longstanding message that urgent action is needed to recruit and retain health workers. The union further warns that on current trends and without action the shortage could rise to 13000 in five years’ time. The union makes clear that excessive workloads and long hours are key factors in deterring young people from joining health professions and that the government’s proposal to increase overtime limits will only add to the problem, while threatening the

The ČMKOS trade union confederation has sent an open letter to the prime minister asking him to respond to calls to open negotiations on pay rises for public sector workers in 2023 and reminding him that the confederation’s request from 19 October remains unanswered. The last meeting of ČMKOS representatives with the government took place on 27 September with no agreement on pay for 2023 at the time but with both side confirming their willingness to continue negotiations as soon as possible. The minister of labour and social affairs was also approached in October and November in an attempt to

The OSZSP health workers’ union and LOK-SČL doctors’ union organised a joint press conference on 29 September in response to the government’s intention not to increase health workers’ pay in 2023. The unions underlined the sacrifices that workers had made during the pandemic and that the government’s failure to deliver improved pay would create further problems in the recruitment and retention of staff. The unions are unconvinced by a government plan to offer bonuses instead of higher pay scales and they are calling for a 15% increase to pay rates. They also argue that the government had

Civil service unions, including OSSOO representing state workers and those representing health, social care (OSZSP) and cultural workers, signed a new higher-level collective agreement on 4 October. The agreement will run from 1 January to 31 December 2022 with the possibility of an extension for a further year. The agreement covers a range of rights such as paid leave for personal reasons, so-called indisposition leave, and service- and age-related payments as well as invalidity and retirement pensions. The new agreement is not changed much from the previous one with some clarification

The OSZSP health union met the prime minister and health minister on 17 April to raise serious concerns about pay in the sector. The union says that many workers are not being paid special allowances worth CZK 2000-5000 (EUR 80-200). Instead some are getting only CZK 1000-1200 (EUR 40-50) and others nothing at all. The prime minister expressed surprise and asked for details of the hospitals that are failing to pay the correct amounts. The OSZSP also wants action to ensure consistent payment of basic salaries across the sector and raised the continuing problem of low pay in social services. The

The OSZSP health and social care union issued a strike alert on 17 August following lack of progress in negotiations on wage and salary increases and the failure of the Ministry of Health to fulfil earlier promises. The union believes action on pay is essential in order to ensure recruitment to the health service and the effective functioning of hospitals. OSZSP argues that the staffing crisis threatens the extent and quality of the care provided, particularly in some smaller hospitals. The union will coordinate the next steps with the Medical Trade Union - the Association of Czech Physicians

In a press release confirming the implementation this month of a 10% pay increase for public service workers, the OSZSP health union underlines the role of the trade union in these successful negotiations. The increase this year means that hospital workers have seen an overall pay rise of 30% in the last four years while workers in social services have seen a 26% increase. Meanwhile, social workers and direct care workers have seen their pay rise by 47.5% over the same period. The union recognises that low pay is still a challenge in health and social services and is committed to win further

EPSU affiliates in the Czech Republic took part in the national rally organised by the CMKOS confederation calling for an end to cheap labour. The rally marked the latest stage in the campaign begun by CMKOS in 2015 and tying in perfectly with the ETUC pay rise campaign launched in February this year. The confederation says that pay across the country has risen by 10% over the past two years and it is calling for a further increase of 10% for 2018.