Digitalisation, Tax justice, Energy
Immediate measures are urgent, but the energy market must be fundamentally changed!
Ahead of the extraordinary Council of EU Energy Ministers on 9 September 2022 to discuss emergency measures to mitigate the currently exploding energy prices, EPSU reiterates the need for an urgent and immediate price cap on electricity and gas prices.
Report sets out telework arrangements across Europe
As European trade unions and employers gear up for the cross-sector negotiations on telework that are set to begin next month, the Eurofound research agency has published a new report that maps and analyses legislation and collective bargaining on telework in the 27 Member States and Norway. It covers the main differences and similarities in telework legislation and notes recent changes to these regulations. The report reveals some of the challenges of telework in relation to access, flexible working time, continuous availability/connectivity, isolation, occupational and health risk prevention
Solidarity for Brazilian organisations and Electoral Integrity in 2022 elections
The Brazilian Presidential elections take place in October 2022. There is a high risk based on past experience that digital platforms are used to provide misinformation to influence the outcome of the elections.
Pay rises for workers in energy and maternity care
After difficult negotiations in the energy production and supply sector the FNV trade union is asking members to vote on a collective agreement that will provide a 4% pay increase from 1 May 2022. The agreement will run for 14 months to 1 July 2023 and includes proposals to discuss how to ensure the agreement will help tackle the major challenges faced by the sector. Key to the discussions will be work pressure, policies on older workers and how to deal with the shortage of technical staff. Meanwhile, there were also challenging negotiations in the maternity sector where a new 18-month
EU Social Partners adopt agreement on digitalisation for central and federal government
On Friday, 17 June, the EU social partners for central governments – TUNED led by EPSU for the trade union side and European Public and EUPAE for the employers - reached a landmark agreement on digitalisation.
Contrasting bargaining in energy and health sectors
The ver.di services union and IG BCE industry union have negotiated a new 21-month agreement with the Uniper energy company. There is a 3% pay increase for all workers and trainees from 1 July this year, followed by a 4% increase on 1 April 2023. There is also a change to the pay structure so that trainees taken on as employees are not placed on a lower starting rate. In contrast, negotiations in the GASAG gas company are much more challenging with ver.di calling a warning strike for 27 June after six bargaining rounds that have failed to bring the two sides closer together. The union’s