2015 November epsucob@NEWS 16
Social and child care workers vote for new pay deal
Members of the ver.di services union working in childcare and other social services have voted with a majority of 57.2% to accept a pay deal with between €93 and €138 a month for childcare workers and €30-€80 a month for other care workers. Ver.di sees this as a first step in tackling the structural gender pay gap that depresses pay for occupations dominated by women. In the summer the workers had rejected the proposals from an arbitration committee and further strike action seemed likely. However, the VKA public sector employers' organisation agreed to some improvements to the proposal of the
Confederations organise general strike against bail-out measures
The GSEE private sector and ADEDY public sector confederations called a general strike for 12 November in protest against the proposed measures that the government would have to meet the demands of the Euro group. In contrast to the calls for privatisation and more labour market reforms, the confederations are calling for investment, recruitment of public service workers and action on debt. Read more at > ADEDY (GR) And at > EPSU (EN)
Public sector federations call for €150 pay increase
The main public service federations - Fp-Cgil, Cisl-Fp, Uil-Fpl and Uil-Pa - have called on the government to relaunch collective bargaining and negotiate a €150 pay rise for public service workers. The four federations are threatening a general strike if the government does not respond positively. The unions argue that after more than five years of a freeze on public sector bargaining, workers need a pay increase in recognition of their skills and professionalism. The unions also maintain that the public sector needs to be recognised for the role it plays in the economy. [Read more at > FP
Government measures target women
Following trade union protests the government has revised some of its employment law changes but what remains along with proposed changes to elder and child care provision will have a massive impact on women in the labour market. The JHL union is concerned that many women will be forced to stay at home to look after children and relatives, while changes to allow more fixed-term work and to extend probationary periods will add to insecurity at work. Read more at > JHL (EN)
Union wins major court victory over bankrupt care company
The FNV trade union confederation won an important legal case earlier this month involving the Meavista care company that went bankrupt in 2009. With more than 20,000 employees and 100,000 clients and a turnover of half a billion euros Meavita was one of the largest healthcare organizations in the Netherlands.The key element the verdict is the personal liability of the board of directors and the supervisory board and there is a signal to businesses that you cannot use bankruptcy to escape from claims of malpractice. The next step will be to assess damages suffered by the thousands of workers
Pay deals negotiated after strike action
Nurses, police and other public sector workers are in the process of confirming new collective agreements following strike action. The workers concerned were trying to ensure that they weren't left behind other parts of the public sector where pay increases had already been negotiated. Part of the deal involves new arrangements to ensure some consistency in pay across the public sector. Read more at > BSRG (IS) And at > Iceland Review (EN)
Scottish government introduces procurement guidelines
The Scottish government has introduced new guidance on public sector procurement underlining the link between good working conditions with the delivery of high quality services. Those bidding for public contracts will now be expected to adopt fair work practices, which may include paying the Living Wage; no unnecessary use of zero hours contracts and giving workers an active voice in the workplace. The new statutory guidance means that companies who want to secure business with public bodies are now obliged to sign up to these fair work conditions for anyone working on the contracts. [Read
Unions to mobilise again against labour code changes
Radical and negative changes to the labour code will debated in parliament on 24 November and unions will be mobilising again in protest following their demonstrations in September. If approved the changes will make it easier and cheaper for employers to dismiss workers as well as relaxing the rules on fixed-term work and reducing benefits for working parents. The unions have been running a campaign under the banner: "No to slavery at work". Read more at > LSADPS (LT)
Study highlights trend to narrower focus of collective bargaining
A new report from the Eurofound research organisation, Collective Bargaining in Europe in the 21st Century, argues that recent trends show a tendency for a narrowing of the focus of collective bargaining on pay and away from a broader approach on working conditions and other issues like equality. The report also argues that the changes taking place are leading to greater differences across Europe and so making it more difficult to group countries together as reflecting particular model of collective bargaining. [Read more at > Eurofound->https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/report
Majority of unions back public sector pay deal
A pay deal for 2016 has been agreed between the government and the majority of public sector unions. The agreement stipulates that wages will return to the level of 2013, while the annual holiday allowance will increase. There will also be a partial relaxation of the freeze on promotions and a gradual suspension of the remaining austerity measures for the period 2017-2019 will be agreed in new talks set to begin early next year. For the unions accepting the deal it marks an end to austerity, however, not all unions are happy and some plan to challenge the agreement. [Read more at > Slovenia
Latest collective bargaining news
The October issue of the European Trade Union Institute's collective bargaining newsletter includes over 80 articles from more than 30 European countries. There are updates on public service developments in a number of countries, including France, Iceland, Italy, Latvia and the Netherlands. Read more at > ETUI
Trends in collective bargaining analysed
The International Labour Organisation has published a briefing on collective bargaining covering 75 countries including many European nations. The report looks at long-term trends and some of the negative developments since the economic crisis. However, it also notes how levels of collective bargaining have held up in some countries partly as a result of an enabling legal environment based on measures to extend collective agreements, for example. Read more at < ILO (EN)
Survey reveals excessive working hours of hospital doctors
A new survey of over 4000 of its members by the Marburger Bund doctors' union reveals the immense pressure faced by hospital doctors. More than half (59%) report frequent mental stress and more than two thirds (69%) complain that they don't have enough time to treat patients. Nearly three quarters (72%) feel that their own health is being affected by working time arrangements that lead to disturbed sleep patterns and regular tiredness. Inadequate staffing means that many work excessive hours with more than two-thirds working on average more than the 48-hour limit set by working time
Scottish prison service lifts strike ban
The POA prison staff union in Scotland has regained the right to organise industrial action following an announcement by the Scottish Justice Secretary. The union says that the decision reflects the positive negotiating environment and trust built up between the POA and the government in Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service. Read more at > legal news website
Unions set out key demands
Public sector unions have set out key demands for an end to pay cuts, a return to the 35-hour week and other measures to reverse the austerity imposed on workers over the last five years. The unions are underlining the need for a proper process of collective bargaining to negotiate the changes in the face of continuing political uncertainty following the recent general election. Read more at > STAL (PT) And at > SINTAP (PT)