Migration, Training/life-long learning
Fighting for the rights of migrants and asylum-seekers
Migration has major implications for public services not least because of the significant contribution of migrant workers to the provision of public services in many European countries. Thousands of public service employees across Europe work in areas related to migrations and asylum-seeking. Unfortunately, the European and national response to asylum-seekers has often fallen pitifully short of what should be expected from one of the wealthiest regions in the world and EPSU has been arguing hard for a change of approach, criticising the European Union’s policies which continue to focus on tightening borders, pushing back refugees and outsourcing asylum duties to third countries. EPSU, along with PSI, has also been calling for an end to privatisation and increased public investment in the public services that are vital to ensure the safe and effective integration of migrants and asylum-seekers into society. This briefing, prepared for EPSU's 2019 Congress provides some background on EPSU's activities in this area.
Union launches 6% pay claim for regional government workers
Public services union ver.di has set out its main demands for the forthcoming bargaining round covering 2.3 million workers in regional government which begins on 21 January. The union is calling for a 6% pay increase with a minimum guaranteed increase of EUR 200 as part of a 12-month agreement. Ver.di also wants to see a EUR 100 increase for trainees and a commitment to provide jobs for those who successfully complete their courses. The union argues that economic growth and the financial position of regional governments means that the increase is affordable and it will also contribute to
Firefighters strike to defend pay and conditions
Firefighters, members of the STAL and STML trade unions, took strike action from 18 December to 2 January in protest at government plans to change the statutes covering their pay, retirement and other conditions. The unions not only reject the proposed changes but are angry that the government aimed to implement them without any consultation or negotiation with the unions. The unions have made a series of demands related to protecting basic pay and ensuring appropriate payments for on-call and overtime work as well as allowances for dangerous and arduous conditions. They are also seeking
International Migrants Day - Workers and Citizens call for a welcoming Europe
Press release - Today is International Migrant Workers Day (IWD) which marks the adoption, 28 years ago, of the United Nations Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and their families.
EPSU reiterates warnings against controlled centres and disembarkation platforms for migrants and asylum-seekers
Ahead of the European Council on 13-14 December, EPSU urges the Council to refocus on the solidarity elements of the migration package, including a reform of the dysfunctional Dublin Rules.
Disseminating results from joint work on health and safety and continuing professional development
On 3 December 2018 HOSPEEM and EPSU organised the social partners’ dissemination workshop focusing on the outcomes of two projects on health and safety and continuing professional developement.
Unions set out key negotiating demands in private healthcare
The GPA-djp and vida services unions have set out their list of demands in negotiations covering 100000 workers in the private healthcare sector. Along with a 6% pay rise (with minimum increase of EUR 150 to benefit the lower paid) the unions also want to see a reduction in hours to a standard 35-hour week without loss of pay and with additional jobs to maintain services. Other key demands include: avoiding split shifts, a sixth week of leave for all workers, earlier service to be taken into account, better pay for trainees and apprentices, part-time work for older workers and implementation
Public service federation calls 24-hour strike
ADEDY, the public services confederation, has called a 24-hour strike for 14 November. It is calling on the government to negotiate over a gradual process of pay restoration. ADEDY says that civil servants have already seen pay cut by 40% and now tax rises and reductions in tax allowances will further reduce take home pay. It is calling for immediate pay rises and the restoration of the 13th and 14th month salaries as initial steps in this process. The strike demands also cover the urgent need to recruit additional permanent staff, for measures on skills and training rather than a new
Unions launch major campaign on collective bargaining and public services
The four main public service unions - FP-CGIL, CISL-FP, UIL-PA and UIL-FPL - have together launched a major campaign and petition calling for action to improve public services and deliver better employment conditions. The four unions have drawn up a document with 11 key proposals that cover calls for increased public investment; substantial recruitment of new workers and improved training provision; better union representation; finalising outstanding collective agreements for the 2016-2018 period and ensuring resources for the next round of agreements for 2019-21; bringing back privatised