The strike action by health workers on 2-3 May helped the SINTAP public service union conclude an agreement that establishes equal treatment for 20000 health workers in terms of working time and other employment conditions. Workers on individual contracts employed in public enterprise hospitals did not have the same rights as workers directly employed by the national health service. The new agreement, signed on 4 May, now ensure that they have the same rights to the 35-hour week, holidays, supplements for overtime and night work and career development.
Strike action brings results on working time and other conditions
More like this
New survey on working time, job security and other conditions
The Eurofound research agency has published initial findings from its latest survey of working conditions across Europe. While there are positive results in terms of health and safety awareness and job motivation there are large minorities of workers with major concerns. The proportion of workers worried about losing their job in the next six months is 16% - the same level as 2010. More than two in ive workers are dissatisfied about working time in their main paid job, with 28% wanting to work shorter hours, while involuntary part-time work means 13% want more hours. [Read more at > Eurofound
Strike action delivers positive result on flexi-leave
Four days of strike action by workers at Roscommon council in the West of Ireland have lead to the restoration of the right to flexi-leave that had been removed by the council's management. The workers, organised by the Fórsa and SIPTU trade unions, had carried out a series of four one-day strikes and further action was planned in order to secure rights which are enjoyed across the rest of the local government sector and which are important in ensuring a good work-life balance, particularly for working parents. EPSU had sent a solidarity message.
Unions maintain campaign over pay, pensions and other conditions
Local government union STAL and other unions in the public sector Frente Comum took part in a major national demonstration on 10 May as part of their long-running campaign to improve pay and working conditions in the public services and reverse the cuts imposed as part of austerity measures. Along with higher pay and better pensions, the unions want to see clear commitments to improve career progression and action on working time.