Health
Health and utilities workers in action
Trade unions representing workers in the electricity, gas and water sectors organised a day of strike action on 17 December. The unions are concerned that changes to procurement rules will lead to more outsourcing and so threaten jobs, pay and conditions and the quality of services. Meanwhile, unions organising in the private health sector began a series of regional actions with a strike in Lazio on 14 December as part of a campaign to secure a new sector agreement covering 150000 workers. It is 12 years since the last agreement was negotiated.
Healthworkers strike for better pay
The healthworkers' union organised a two-day strike on 27-28 December, calling for better pay. With doctors on around EUR 600 a month, the union underlined the need for decent pay to stop workers leaving the service to find better paid jobs in other sectors with less stress. Emergency services were maintained during the action which the health union said it would repeat if the government failed to respond.
Union criticises government for inaction over staff shortages
The FOA public services union has criticised the government for failing to come up with any concrete and urgent measures to tackle the shortage of health and social care staff particularly in eldercare. The government announced a major mapping exercise in July last year that was aimed at identifying the challenges facing municipalities. The resulting report adds little to the facts and figures that the unions have produced over the years to warn of the scale of staff shortages. The FOA also argues that the promised DKK 150 million (EUR 20 million) to help boost recruitment is inadequate, being
Confederations commit to mobilise against government budget plan
The three main trade union confederations - CGIL, CSIL and UIL - are united in rejecting the government budget which they regard as wrong and short-sighted, failing to provide resources for growth, development and investment. The confederations are committed to mobilise against the plans with a national demonstration planned for later this month. They point out that the budget fails to provide the necessary investment in social infrastructure, particularly in health and education, and with inadequate provisions to cover the renewal of collective agreements for public sector workers and a
Orpea workers continue their campaign for a collective agreement
Employees of the Celenus health company, part of the Orpea multinational, continued their campaign for a collective agreement when they travelled to a protest in Berlin on 11 December where they joined other striking workers from the Charité physiotherapy clinic. The workers at Celenus's rehabilitation clinic in Bad Langensalza in the Thüringen region are involved in long-running strike action in an attempt to secure a collective agreement and better pay. The company has repeatedly refused to negotiate with the ver.di trade union. Action last year was supported by EPSU and its affiliates that
Massive vote for action by nurses and midwives
Members of the INMO nurses' and midwives' union have voted 95% in favour of strike action over pay and staffing shortages. The union leadership was due to meet on 7-8 January to consider plans for a 24-hour strike. If it goes ahead it will be only the second strike in the union's 100-year history. INMO argues that urgent action is needed to tackle the major staffing shortages across the country with low pay one of the key issues. According to the union's figures, nurses and midwives are paid around EUR 5000-7000 a year less than other, comparable health professionals.
EPSU joins protests against prison sentences for doctors and human rights defenders in Turkey
We join the European and global medical and human rights communities in condemning the prison sentences against Turkish doctors and academics for speaking out for peace and the suffering caused by wars.
Courageous and immediate policy action needed to reduce health impacts of climate change
New research published in "The Lancet" ahead of the COP24 shows that emissions, climate change and rising temperatures are already exposing people around the globe to unacceptably high health risks.
Research publications reveal extent of workplace cancer risks
The ETUI research organisation has published a new report and issue of its health and safety magazine, HesaMag, that both cover the risks of workplace cancers. As many as 100000 deaths a year are linked to workplace carcinogens but it is not just hazardous substances that are of concern. The ETUI publications also cover other risks such as night work which has been linked to higher risk of breast cancer with some specific cases affecting hospital staff. HesaMag also looks at the problems of getting proper recognition of the risks faced by workers in sectors like cleaning, maintenance and waste
Disseminating results from joint work on health and safety and continuing professional development
On 3 December 2018 HOSPEEM and EPSU organised the social partners’ dissemination workshop focusing on the outcomes of two projects on health and safety and continuing professional developement.
Unions set out key negotiating demands in private healthcare
The GPA-djp and vida services unions have set out their list of demands in negotiations covering 100000 workers in the private healthcare sector. Along with a 6% pay rise (with minimum increase of EUR 150 to benefit the lower paid) the unions also want to see a reduction in hours to a standard 35-hour week without loss of pay and with additional jobs to maintain services. Other key demands include: avoiding split shifts, a sixth week of leave for all workers, earlier service to be taken into account, better pay for trainees and apprentices, part-time work for older workers and implementation
Commission aims for more resilient and inclusive economy
Access to quality health, care and education and fairer and better tax, benefit and social protection systems are among some of the positive elements in the European Commission’s 2019 Annual Growth Survey (AGS) that was published on 21 November.