Social Services, Staffing levels, Corporate Social Responsibility
Union calls for more trained eldercare staff
(July 2016) The ver.di services union organised a demonstration at the national health ministers' conference on 29 June calling for an increase in trained staff in the eldercare sector. The union argues that staff are already overworked and that the current level of staffing is completely inadequate to cope with future increased demand. Workers are committed to their job and many become ill and have to take time off work as a result of trying to manage excessive workloads. Ver.di also criticised private eldercare providers for calling for a reduction in the quota of trained staff. Read more at
We reject attempts to organise European standardisation of health and social care
(6 July 2016) EPSU, ETUC and the European organisations of hospital associations (HOPE), doctors (CPME) and dentists (CED) are warning against European initiatives to standardise medical treatments, other healthcare services
Over 1000 workers hit by care home failures
(July 2016) The FOA public services union estimates that over 1000 workers have been affected by bankruptices in the care home sector over the past three years. Workers are affected by uncertainty about jobs, pay and conditions. The collapse of Pareta Care that operates facilities in the Egedal local authority is the latest in a series of failures involving 22 companies since early 2013. The union reckons that over 9500 care home residents have been affected. Read more at FOA (DK).
Unions raise concerns at Orpea company meeting
(July 2016) Unions at the Orpea care company used the group's annual shareholders' meeting to raise concerns about pay and conditions and health and safety. The unions highlighted the fact that Orpea's profits have soared while workers have seen no pay rise since 2013, have to deal with excessive workloads and are more likely to be on fixed-term rather than permanent contracts. The union demands were directed at both management and shareholders, calling on the company to take on more staff, improve working conditions and ensure a high quality service. Read the statement at CGT (FR) and CFDT
EPSU calls for quality jobs and safe and effective staffing levels in care services at European Parliament event
(12 July 2016) EPSU contributed to a seminar organised in the European Parliament (EP) on 28 June 2016 by the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD)
Course "Working and living conditions in prison services in Europe: collective bargaining issues"
The Education Department of the European Trade Union Institute for Research, Education and Health and Safety (ETUI-REHS Education) will organise a joint course with EPSU Working and living conditions in
EPSU speech Green Party Conference 'Goodbye to Universal services'
Goodbye universal services? The Undermining of Health and Social Services in the European Union 19th-20th September 2007 details and program: [http://www.greensefa. org/cms/default/dok/191/[email protected]>http://www.greensefa. org/cms/default/dok/191/[email protected]] {{The