Union Rights, Pensions/retirement, France
Trade unions set out key concerns to new minister
(May 2017) Public service trade unions have had a series of meetings with the new minister of public accounts, Gérald Darminin, with some already unhappy that his remit is not broad responsibility for the public services. The unions have a number of major concerns including the need for a pay rise, particularly for the lowest paid occupations and rejection of the plans to cut 120000 civil service posts. Pensions and other working conditions were also raised in the meetings with the minister indicating that joint meetings with the unions would take place later in the year.
Confederations express concern over labour law proposals
(June 2017) The three main confederations have expressed their concern over some of the elements of the new government's proposals for reforming labour law. The details won't be published until the end of June but already the unions have raised issues with plans to rebalance collective bargaiing towards the company level, reform workplace representation and reduce compensation for redundancy. They argue that they see little in the proposals to benefit workers and remain unconvinced that reducing employment protection will boost job creation. A process of consultation is planned for the summer
Trade unions react to labour code proposals
Proposals to reform the labour code were published owin 31 August with some initial negative reactions from the trade unions. A common response was that the raft of reforms was being put forward before there had been a proper evaluation of the changes that have been implemented in the last four years. Unions expressed concern about rebalancing of the relationship between sector and company-level bargaining and changes to compensation in cases of redundancy. In small companies (less than 50 employees) it will be possible for employers to negotiate with non-trade union representatives and in
Waste workers take action over pay, surveillance and safety
Waste workers in the UK and France are taking or planning industrial action over a wide range of issues. Public and private sector workers in France, organised by the CGT union, are taking action over major demands on pay, pensions and health and safety. Meanwhile, in Hull in North East England workers employed by the FCC multinational are protesting over sick pay and inThurrock in South East England the issue is one of surveillance. Workers there are objecting to live streaming to management from cameras in all refuse lorries.
Firefighters on strike over jobs and pay
Seven trade union organisations, including the CGT, CFDT, FO and UNSA, representing 85% of all firefighters have been taking strike action to demand improvements in pay and for a significant increase in jobs. The joint actions began in June and are running until the end of August. The unions want to see the withdrawal of legislation on public service reform and a number of other measures to improve pay, health and safety, pensions and trade union rights. A key demand is an increase in recruitment on statutory conditions. There are 40000 professional firefighters. This is the same number as in
Massive mobilisation against planned pension reforms
Trade unions in many sectors took strike action and joined protests across the country on 5 December against proposals to reform the pensions system. There is widespread concern that the reforms will lead to later retirement to get decent pensions or retirement on lower benefits. Workers in the transport and education sectors are particularly concerned but the actions, including an 800,000-strong demonstration in Paris attracted wide support. Further action took place on 6 December and is planned for the coming weeks.
Unions continue to mobilise against pension changes
Trade union action against the government’s pensions proposals has continued across several sectors, particularly transport. The latest main national mobilisation against pension reform took place on 9 January. While not all trade union organisations are involved in the strike action and demonstrations, all are opposed in some way to the plans to merge pension arrangements across sectors and increase the retirement age and/or increase the number of years of contributions needed for a full pension. There are particular concerns about arduous work in some sectors, like sewage treatment, where
Unions condemn government's block on pensions debate
Trade unions have reacted angrily to the decision by the government to curtail debate over pension reforms by using a constitutional mechanism to pass legislation by ordonnance rather than the normal parliamentary process. Some unions organised demonstrations across the country at short notice to underline their continuing opposition to the reforms. Others were concerned about the method used to close down debate when there are still major issues still to be resolved, particularly in relation to pension for workers in arduous occupations.
Union movement reaffirms opposition to attacks on pensions
All the main trade union organisations have come together along with groups representing students and young workers to reject the idea that the national pensions and retirement system needs reform or an increase in the retirement age. In a joint communique the organisations underline that it is a major mistake for the government to come up with proposals to reform the system in the current economic and social climate. The trade unions argue that, like the vast majority of the population, they do not support any increase in the legal retirement age or in the contribution period and underline
Trade unions united in opposition to pension reform
All the major trade union organisations – including CGT, CFDT, FO, UNSA, CFE-CGC – along with student groups were involved in coordinated, nationwide strikes and protests on 19 January in opposition to government plans to reform the pensions system. Trade unions are opposed to the increase in pension age and years of contributions required to get a full pension. They cite the independent Pensions Advisory Council that says that the financing of the pensions system is not under threat. The trade unions have set out alternative plans, including measures to support workers in their fifties to
Massive turnout for second day of pension protests
All the main trade union confederations – including CGT, CFDT, FO, UNSA and CFE-CGC – with the support of student organisations, organised a second day of strike action and protests on 31 January against changes to the pension system. There was again massive support in over 250 demonstrations across the country matching the first day of protests on 19 January. The trade unions are calling on the government to withdraw the planned reforms and especially the proposal to increase the pension age from 62 to 64. They argue that the vast majority of the population is opposed and the unions are
Massive campaign against pension reforms continues
All the main trade union confederations – including CGT, CFDT, FO, UNSA and CFE-CGC – are maintaining their campaigns of strikes and protests against the government’s pension reforms and its key proposal to increase the pension age from 62 to 64. The fifth day of action was due to take place on 16 February with a sixth planned for 7 March and the threat of all-out strike action. The joint trade union and student movement campaign sent a message to all MPs arguing that they should reject the plans, challenging all the government’s main arguments about the need for reform and in particular the