Solidarity, Collective Bargaining
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.
Unions continue to challenge social employer over collective agreement
Trade unions from the three main confederations – CGIL, CISL and UIL – are maintaining their campaign against the Anaste non-profit social services employer organisation for signing an agreement with unrepresentative trade unions. After a mobilisation in March, the unions have been busy lobbying regional authorities to get them to take action and put pressure on Anaste to negotiate with the representative organisations. The Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Piedmont regions have already taken some initiatives in support of the unions.
European Parliament calls on the Commission to support more, not less, EU sectoral social dialogue
In a resolution on the Commission’s Communication and Council Recommendation on EU and national social dialogue of 25 January, the European Parliament calls upon the European Commission to increase its financial, legal and technical support for EU sectoral social dialogue.
ETUC celebrates 50 years at Berlin Congress
A large EPSU delegation joined hundreds of other trade unionists from across Europe to celebrate 50 years of struggle for Europe’s workers and people. We ended the ETUC Congress with the election of a new team and the adoption of an action plan titled ‘Together for a Fair Deal for Workers in Europe’.
Workers take to the streets to defend the right to strike and to support Delhaize strikers
A massive demonstration with over 25,000 people was organised by the three Belgian trade union confederations (ACV-CSC, FGTB-ABVV and CGSLB-ACVLV) to protest attacks on the rights to strike, demonstrate and picket.
EPSU asks government of Republic of Srpska (Bosnia-Herzegovina) to withdraw amendments that criminalises critique
Following discussion in the EPSU Constituency meeting for Central Europe and Western Balkan, we sent a letter to the government of the republic of Srpska to withdraw amendments to the criminal code.
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
Today, 17 May, is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. This year’s theme of ”Together always: united in diversity” should resonate with all trade unionists. It reflects the solidarity that binds – and builds – our movement.
Unions fight for collective agreement in voluntary sector emergency services
The FP-CGIL, CISL-FP and UIL-FPL public service federations are mobilising their members in the Misericordie emergency service provider. The unions are responding to the decision by the religious organisation not to re-negotiate a collective agreement and following the failure of conciliation. The federations are angry that Misericordie is not only failing to acknowledge the sacrifices made by their emergency service workers during the pandemic but are also creating disparities between their workers and others employed in the third sector that are covered by the collective agreement negotiated
International Nurses Day 2023: fed up nurses call for higher pay and safe staffing
As we celebrate International Nurses Day on 12 May, we honour the immense contributions of nurses in our society. Although the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic may be behind us, we must never forget the bravery demonstrated by nurses throughout the crisis.
Gas social partners to launch negotiations for first Just Transition Agreement
Eurogas, EPSU, and industriAll Europe have notified the European Commission of their intention to enter into negotiations towards a European Framework Agreement. The negotiations will be the first of their kind to focus on a Just Transition.
Stop Cancer at Work welcomes new EU guidelines and list of hazardous medicinal products, but more needs to be done to protect workers
Employers, workers and Member States need to work together to raise awareness, enhance best practice and implement the guidelines and list of hazardous drugs in the workplace.