Staffing levels, Privatisation, Central government
Union calls for pay rise to be paid and other rights to be restored
The public service federations within the CCOO confederation have called on the government to pay an additional increase of 0.25% for 2019 that would take the increase this year to 2.5% and ensure an increase in purchasing power for public sector workers. The 0.25% is part of an agreement where pay increases are linked to increases in economic output (GDP). The unions are concerned that the government has known since January that the payment would be due but has taken no action. The CCOO federations are also giving further impetus to their campaign to restore rights lost under austerity
Striking care workers get employer to negotiate
A strike by around 650 care workers, employees of the private company, Alternative Futures Group (AFG), has forced the employer to the negotiating table after management initially refused to negotiate with public service union Unison. The workers took strike action in protest at the company's decision to cut the allowance for sleepover shifts. This means cuts of up to GBP 2000 (EUR 2300) a year for some workers. Talks between Unison and the Liverpool-based AFG were due to start on 17 May. Meanwhile cleaners at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow in Essex to the East of London have voted
Unions unite in public sector strike and action day
Hundreds of thousands of public service workers joined demonstrations around the country on 9 May as part of national strike action and protests against government plans for public sector reform. An estimated 30000 took part in the main demonstration in Paris, bringing together nine trade union federations in the public sector and indicating the extent of trade union unity in opposition to job cuts, pay freezes and initiatives to undermine employment security and trade union rights. The unions are demanding a proper process of social dialogue over the government proposals which are due to be
Journal highlights restrictions on public service workers' rights
The latest issue of the Journal of International Trade Union Rights features a number of articles examining the extent to which public service workers find their rights restricted in relation to organising, collective bargaining or the right to take collective action. Nadja Salson of EPSU contributed an article highlighting two developments. First, is EPSU's legal action against the European Commission over its failure to put forward the information and consultation agreement in central government to the European Council for transposition into a directive and the second is the loophole in the
Main topics addressed and decisions taken at the 50th Standing Committee Health and Social Services
This article summarises the main topics addressed at the meeting as well as the major decisions taken at the 50th edition of the EPSU Standing Committee "Health and Social Services" (SC HSS) on 27 February.
Social care workers call on strengthening the workforce perspective in the transition from institutional to community-based care
This article summarises the main topics addressed at the meeting of the EPSU Working Group Social Services on 26 February, with one focus on the transition from institutional care to community-based care and how to make this transition also work for the social care and health workforce.
Support for 9 May strike actions grows
Nine trade union organisations are now supporting the national public sector strike on 9 May - CFDT, CFTC, CFE-CGC, CGT, FAFP, FO, FSU, Solidaires, and UNSA. The key demands are for the government to stop its plan for a transformation of the public service that involves around 120000 job cuts. The unions are also calling for an end to the pay freeze and a pay increase for all public sector workers. The unions claim that the government talks about the importance of the work of civil servants while at the same time undermining their rights, benefits and working conditions. They also say that
Fighting and challenging privatisation and marketisation of health care in Europe
On 1 and 2 April EPSU participated in and contributed to activities in relation to World Health Day (7 April) to fight against (more) privatisation, marketisation and commercialisation in this sector across Europe.
Verdi health and social services against commercialisation and privatisation. In solidarity with DISK President standing trial
Leading activists of Verdi in the health and social services joined European actions against the privatisation and commercialisation of health and social care.
Unions call for urgent action as second major outsourcer collapses
Public service unions have called for urgent action to address the immediate threat to jobs and the long-term issue of outsourcing in the wake of the collapse of a second major outsourcing company in two years. Interserve has around 45000 workers and government contracts worth GBP 2.1 billion (EUR 2.45 billion). Unite, the largest trade union in the company, has called for urgent talks in order to address the future of workers employed on the hundreds of contracts for cleaning, catering, facilities management and construction. Public service union Unison has called for all Interserve contracts
Action by public service unions and customs workers
Public service unions organised a national protest on 27 March, the day that draft legislation on public service reform was presented to the Council of Ministers. The unions oppose the main reforms that they fear will lead to increased use of workers on contracts rather than civil service status and plans to cut 120000 jobs. Most unions are also planning further action with 9 May as the date for demonstrations and strikes. Meanwhile, customs workers have been on a work-to-rule. While the impact of Brexit is one of the drivers of the action, the unions argue that there are other long-term