Electricity, Trade
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.
EPSU calls for the rejection of the Japan Trade Agreement!
EPSU has sent a letter to members of the European Parliament to express their regret on the likelihood of the European Parliament’s support on the vote which will take place in December regarding the Japan for an Economic Partnership (EUJEP).
Skills needs, developments, vocational education and training systems in the changing electricity sector
The European social partners for the electricity sector—industriAll European Trade Union and the EuropeanPublic Service Union (EPSU), representing the trade unions, and Eurelectric, representing the electricity-sector employers—have identified the skills needs for the electricity sector and education and trainingsystems as a priority for their joint work.
More than 300 civil society organizations from 73 countries urge real reform at United Nations discussions on Corporate Investor Rights
Today more than 300 civil society groups and trade unions – including PSI and EPSU – urge governments participating in United Nations (UN) meetings in Vienna this week to overhaul the controversial Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system contained within many international trade and investment agreements.
Union mobilises against energy network companies
The FNME-CGT energy union is stepping up its mobilisation of workers in the Enedis and GRDF electricity and gas network companies. The union accuses both companies of focusing on increasing profits at the expense of employees and customers. The companies are pushing through restructuring, outsourcing and job cuts with employees facing work intensification and pressure to deliver services without the proper resources. The union has a range of key demands including an increase in pay and an end to job cuts and outsourcing.