Unions in the public sector were frustrated by the government's refusal to begin negotiations over pay at the end of last year and are concerned about what this means for any meaningful talks this month. They are still looking for the government to ensure protection of purchasing power for the current year, compensation for loss of purchasing power since 2000 and a revision of the salary scale.
Read the joint communications from all the unions at > CGT
Long wait for negotiations to begin
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Unions wait for pay offer in negotiations
Trade unions are please that public sector-wide pay negotiations are under way this year after the government and regional government employers refused a national deal and unions had to try to negotiate on a regional basis. However, after three rounds of talks the employers have failed to come up with an pay offer for 2014. There have been exchanges on the state of the economy and the public finances and unions are looking to at least protect the purchasing power of public sector workers' pay but so far the government has refused even to make this commitment. [Read more at GDG-KMSfB (DE)->http
Provincial government negotiations begin
After its first round of negotiations with provincial government employers, public service trade union ABVAKABO says that two issues have been settled – the agreement will run for 12 months and arrangements for reducing working time for older workers have been clarified. However, the next bargaining rounds could be more difficult. The union says that it might make concessions on pay in order to increase job security and get improved training and career development opportunities. In contrast, it appears that the employers are looking for a pay freeze, a few minor technical changes to conditions
Public sector negotiations begin
Negotiations are underway in both the state and municipal sectors where the collective agreements expire at the end of January. In the municipal sector JHL, the main public sector union wants, the minimum pay rate in the collective agreement to be raised to €1,500 per month and family leave to be improved. JHL also aims to develop the status of employees in atypical employment relations and the rights of safety representatives. Read more at > JHL (EN) And at > JHL (EN)