Collective Bargaining, Demographic change
Collective bargaining – trends and developments
Collective bargaining is a core activity of trade unions and EPSU’s affiliates negotiate with public service employers at every level. This can range from national public-sector wide bargaining to sector and local negotiations with public sector employers but also private and non-profit providers of public services. EPSU works with the European Trade Union Confederation to try to improve collective bargaining rights for all workers across Europe. We also act as a European information point so that EPSU affiliates are aware of trends in public service negotiations. EPSU’s collective bargaining newsletter provides regular updates on developments across Europe.
EPSU concerned about lack of progress on crucial social reform in Georgia
The EU−Georgia Association Council will take place on 2 December 2016 in Brussels. It evaluates progress in the relations between the EU and Georgia and in particular with the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.
Unions take key demands to the politicial parties
(November 2016) Public sector unions in the CCOO and UGT confederations have been meeting with parties across the political spectrum to highlight their key demands for new statutes covering all public sector workers.They are calling for a pay increase for all workers in 2017 and reinstatement of cuts to pay and conditions imposed since the crisis. They also want to see steps taken to reduce precarious employment and specifically measures in line with the recent European Court of Justice ruling to address the abuse of temporary contracts.
Solidarity with Belgian unions fighting for jobs and quality care
Thousands of workers in the Belgian social / non-profit descend on Brussels 24 November. They demand of the government to continue the agreements that ensured that stress was addressed, older workers could reach the pension age healthy and which offered younger workers a perspective to work in the sector.
Pay and working time feature in health negotiations
(November 2016) The GPA-djp and vida services unions have indicated the main collective bargaining aims as negotiations get underway in the private health and social care sector which covers over 100000 workers. The unions want a real increase in pay for all workers and particular for a range of care professions where additional competences have been outlined in revised legislation. The unions also want shorter hours for many workers to establish the 35-hour week in the sector while at the same time allowing the many, mainly women workers, on part-time contracts to increase their hours if they
Positive news on pay rises but pay gaps persist
(November 2016) The annual report on wages from the LO trade union confederation shows that workers have benefitted from real wage increases over the past 20 years. However, the report also reveals that the gender pay gap remains persistently high at 15% while the gap between pay for blue and white collar workers has increased and is now at 47%, a level not seen since the 1930s.
Government agrees to double minimum wage
(October 2016) At a meeting with trade unions on 18 October, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groisman said that the issue of the wage system reform is one of the most important priorities of the Governmen, along with further increases to social standards. He said: ‘It is very important for us that every hryvnia that could be invested in improving the social standards should be used for that. It is our priority." The unions have welcomed a doublling of the minimum wage to UAH 3200 (EUR 115) from 1 January 2017.
Unions set out main bargaining demands
(October 2016) Unions in the public sector have set out their bargaining demands and reacted to the government's budget proposals, which they say don't go far enough to rrestoring cuts to pay and conditions since 2011. Higher salary increases, ensuring all workers across the public services are ensured a return to the 35-hour week and unfreezing career progression are among the main demands. Unions in the Frente Comum will be mobilising for a national demonstration on 18 November to support their claim.
Next steps to restore pay after austerity
(October 2016) The latest budget confirms government commitments to restoring some of the pay cuts introduced in 2009 and 2010 and to reduce the pensions levy also imposed as part of the austerity measures. Public sector workers are set to get a EUR 1000 pay rise in 2017 and a EUR 1000 reduction in the pensions levy. Public sector unions have welcomed the establishment of the Public Services Pay Commission as a contribution to the process of unwinding the austerity agreements and legislation covering public sector pay and conditions.
Government fails to deliver on public employment and pay
(October 2016) Despite promises of additional funding to cover public sector employment, the latest figures announced by the government are a major disappointment to all the public sector federations. FP-CGIL, CISL-FP, UIL-PA and UIL-FPL issued a joint statement that attacked the government for its short-sighted policies and failure to provide any opening for serious negotiations on pay, skills, productivity and innovation. The unions will be stepping up their mobilisation beginning with a national protest in Rome on 12 November.
Quality employment conference 10-11 January 2017
(October 2017) EPSU is organising a collective bargaining and social dialogue conference in January 2017 with the theme of quality employment and quality public services. Several speakers have already been confirmed and more will follow over the coming days. Sessions will cover how to define quality employment, trends in public services, working time and work organisation, trends in labour code reform in Eastern Europe and job security and precarious work.
Planning ahead for bargaining in 2017
(October 2016) The ver.di services union is looking ahead to next year's negotiations for a new collective agreement covering employees in regional government. Along with a general pay increase, the union will be looking for some structural changes including revisions to the pay scale and measures to limit the use of temporary contracts. Ver.di will be organising regional and local consultations with members in preparing its negotiating priorities.