Training/life-long learning, Energy
Union negotiates pay deals in energy and health
The ver.di services union has negotiated a new collective agreement covering the 18,000 employees of energy company RWE. The agreement runs to 29 February 2024 and includes a 6% pay rise from 1 February 2023. There will also be a €1500 lump sum payment before the end of 2022 and a further €1500 lump sum in 2024. Employees also received an exceptional 2.5% increase in September. Meanwhile, the union has negotiated a new agreement covering the 10,000 employees at private health group Sana. The agreement runs to 30 April 2024 and includes a 7% pay increase from 1 June 2023, with a guaranteed
Pay rises in energy sector
In the main (IEG) electricity and gas sector negotiations the CGT, CFDT and FO unions have agreed a 2.3% increase on the basic national salary for 2023 with a minimum guaranteed increase of €1040 for the year (€80 on the monthly salary over 13 months), along with individualised increases worth 1%. The CFE-CGC union refused to sign arguing that the increase was inadequate. The negotiations followed mobilisations by the unions earlier in the autumn demanding pay negotiations to address the cost of living crisis and the increases come in addition to the extra bonuses paid this year in response to
Social partners in health share concerns on the energy crisis and its impact on the hospital sector
Health workers and employers came together for a Sectoral Social Dialogue meeting to discuss the European Year of Skills, hazardous medicinal products, the cost-of-living crisis and more.
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights underlines importance of public services in Africa’s development
EPSU has welcomed the General Comment No. 7 on State obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in the context of private provision of social services.
Survey reveals problems faced by workers in energy, waste and water
A survey of workers in energy, waste and water, carried out by services union ver.di, reveals widespread discontent, with many employees feeling they are insufficiently trained, overworked, health-impaired or have financial worries. Over 14,500 workers responded to the survey, highlighting a range of urgent needs that the union will aim to address. Staff shortages are creating a lot of pressure on workers and many complain about the failure of employers to offer professional training and development opportunities. With work intensity increasing there has been a dramatic rise in stress for many
Unions take action over pay and jobs
Trade unions in several sectors have planned action this autumn over jobs, pay and pensions. The CGT has called for protests and strikes across France on 29 September in response to the cost-of-living crisis with calls to increase pay, a minimum wage of €2000 a month and moves towards a 32-hour working week. Meanwhile, energy unions, including FNME-CGT, FO-FNEM and CFE Énergies have rejected the latest pay offer from the electricity employers and are planning action on 6 October. In the care sector, FO mobilised workers in residential elderly care on 27 September to demand recognition of
Unions pleased with energy sector deal
The Fagforbundet, ELOGIT and Delta trade unions have welcomed the outcome of negotiations in the energy sector and have recommended the deal to their members for approval. The agreement includes a NOK 10900 (€1040) increase on annual salaries from 1 July along with increases to travel and accommodation allowances and on-call supplements. The minimum wage in the agreement is now NOK 414800 (€39650). Glasses used for computer work will now be paid for and the unions have established the right of co-determination over the use of technology, particularly in relation to ensuring a clear distinction
Union calls for action on staff shortages in public administration
Services union ver.di has welcomed the federal government’s statement that it wants to tackle skills shortages but argues strongly that in doing so it needs to address the big challenges in the public sector itself. Ver.di points out that education in kindergartens, schools – especially vocational schools – and universities, is key but the shortage of skilled workers in these sectors has long been a problem. Additional jobs and better working conditions in the public sector are needed. This not just about pay but about providing more training opportunities, better equipment and increased
Immediate measures are urgent, but the energy market must be fundamentally changed!
Ahead of the extraordinary Council of EU Energy Ministers on 9 September 2022 to discuss emergency measures to mitigate the currently exploding energy prices, EPSU reiterates the need for an urgent and immediate price cap on electricity and gas prices.
New social partner project: skills and training in care sector
The Social Employers and EPSU with the affiliate partner Nexem are pleased to annouce the launch of the FORTE Project. The project outcomes will feed into joint discussions and outputs in the framework of sectoral social dialogue in social services.
Pay rises for workers in energy and maternity care
After difficult negotiations in the energy production and supply sector the FNV trade union is asking members to vote on a collective agreement that will provide a 4% pay increase from 1 May 2022. The agreement will run for 14 months to 1 July 2023 and includes proposals to discuss how to ensure the agreement will help tackle the major challenges faced by the sector. Key to the discussions will be work pressure, policies on older workers and how to deal with the shortage of technical staff. Meanwhile, there were also challenging negotiations in the maternity sector where a new 18-month