Solidarity, Collective Bargaining
Collective bargaining – trends and developments
Collective bargaining is a core activity of trade unions and EPSU’s affiliates negotiate with public service employers at every level. This can range from national public-sector wide bargaining to sector and local negotiations with public sector employers but also private and non-profit providers of public services. EPSU works with the European Trade Union Confederation to try to improve collective bargaining rights for all workers across Europe. We also act as a European information point so that EPSU affiliates are aware of trends in public service negotiations. EPSU’s collective bargaining newsletter provides regular updates on developments across Europe.
ETUC reveals benefits of collective bargaining for work-life balance
An analysis of data working time from the Eurofound research agency by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) shows how collective bargaining can deliver a better work-life balance. Workers in countries with the highest levels of collective bargaining coverage enjoy up to a month more leisure time each year – without loss of pay – than those where coverage is lower. In countries where nine in 10 workers are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the average working time is 1,674 hours a year (excluding overtime). In contrast, in countries where only one in 10 workers are covered
Minimum wage directive - how to deliver on collective bargaining rights
With just under a year to go before all member states of the European Union have to transpose the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive (AMWD), EPSU organised an online briefing for affiliates with a particular focus on the new rights in relation to collective bargaining.
European elections 2024 – time for politicians to deliver quality public services for all
EPSU publishes our key priorities for the European elections. Much more than a list of demands, EPSU first and foremost calls for a stronger commitment from the EP to protect and promote the democratic values and solidarity mechanisms that have shaped the European project.
Union challenges government over representation rules
The SDLSN is calling on the government to change the rules on representativeness for civil service pay negotiations. The union is involved in various working groups that are discussing the new pay structure for the public sector but it is concerned that the current rules on representativeness exclude it, and other trade unions, from the formal negotiations. It argues that only the police trade union meets the representativeness criterion for the main negotiations leaving many areas of the civil service without proper trade union representation as the SDLSN and other unions fall below the
ETUC Executive – join the European demo 12 December. Together against austerity and for a Fair Deal for Workers
Leaders of European trade union confederations and European trade union federations discussed the ongoing campaign against austerity, for revised rules for European economic policy and for a Fair Deal for European workers.
Trade unions condemn criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ people and activists in Russia
The EPSU General Secretary and EPSU Vice-President Thomas Kattnig joined Europe’s trade union leaders in condemning the acts and attacks of the Russian government against people and activists of the LGBT+ community.
Report reveals how strong industrial relations can deliver on efficiency and equity
A new report from the Eurofound research agency, Measuring key dimensions of industrial relations and industrial democracy, provides concrete evidence for policymakers to promote the strengthening of industrial relations. It found that six Member States (Austria, Germany, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden) show how mature systems of industrial relations can combine efficiency, equity and voice. Top of the overall Industrial Relations Index, these countries are among the highest seven performers on the Industrial Democracy Index and Industrial Competitiveness Index, as well as coming
Unions continue protests over state budget and social dialogue
Alongside action by the CGIL and UIL confederations, the CISL trade union confederation is planning a national protest in Rome on 25 November over the government’s budget for 2024 and its refusal to engage with the trade unions. Together with demands for increased funding for public services, CISL wants to see action on staffing and measures to reduce precarious work. It also wants the government to commit to negotiating new collective agreements in the public sector. The mobilisations by UIL and CGIL continue with regional stoppages planned for 24 and 27 November and 1 December.
ITUC welcomes ILO decision on right to strike
The International Trade Union Confederation has welcomed the decision of the governing body of the International Labour Organisation to refer the question of the right to strike to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). There has been a a long-standing dispute between workers’ and employers’ representatives related to the right to strike and the extent to which it derives from the ILO conventions on the freedom of association (87) and the rights to organise and collective bargaining (98). The issue will now be addressed by the ICJ and the ITUC hopes this will unblock the impasse that has
Union steps up protests against government policy
The JHL public service union is organising a series of one-day political strikes as part of the continuing campaign by the trade union movement in protest against government policy. The unions are challenging government proposals on changes to welfare and employment rights and threats to weaken the right to strike and impose restrictions on pay bargaining. The strikes will hit different regions over the three-day period 7-9 November. A range of services will be affected including sports facilities, waste services, laundry and catering services, public transport and energy. So far the
Unions mobilise against government budget proposals
The FP-CGIL, UIL-FPL and UIL-PA public service federations are coordinating strike action on 17 November as part of a series of strikes and protests organised by the CGIL and UIL confederations. The unions are angry about government economic and social policy, the proposed state budget for 2024 and the refusal of the government to consult with unions. The public service strike will be followed by action in other sectors on 20, 24 and 27 November and 1 December. There was also a one-day strike by FP-CGIL and UIL-PA members at the INL National Labour Inspectorate on 30 October. This was part of