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New Report: Europe's 7 brothers have lost nothing of their power to dominate
[UPDATED REPORT 'Corporate policies in the EU energy sector'->art5660] by Professor Steve Thomas now available (August 2009) (3 February 2009) The 7 brothers, Europe’s largest electricity and gas companies continue
MESSAGE DE SOLIDARITE DE LA FSESP POUR LA JOURNEE D'ACTION DU 29 JANVIER 2009 EN FRANCE
Aux organisations syndicales françaises affiliées à la FSESP (28 janvier 2009, Bruxelles) La FSESP - Fédération Syndicale Européenne des Services Publics -, représentant 8 millions d’agents publics et fonctionnaires en
ETUI-EPSU joint course: How to improve coordination of collective bargaining in (Central West) Europe in the energy sector
27 January 2009, ITUH (International Trade Union House) – room B 24 and 25 March 2009 European Economic and Social Council (EESC) - room ‘JDE 61’ Brussels The Education Department
Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee on Hospital Sector - Prevention of sharp injuries
Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee on Hospital Sector "1st meeting Prevention of Sharp Injuries" 26 January 2009, Brussels, Crowne Plaza Hotel - [Follow-up->art4432] Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to invite you
Hospital Social Partners meet Employment Commissioner on 'Sharp Injuries' negotiations
(21 January 2009, Brussels) Representatives of the European Hospital Social Partners met with the European Commission for high level talks on the upcoming ‘[Sharp Injuries’ negotiations->art4431]. The Social Partners (EPSU
Pay negotiations for regional government workers under way
The first round of negotiations between unions and regional government employers failed to bring any significant process. The two sides were left some way apart according to ver.di general secretary Frank Bsirske. Ver.di have called for an 8% increase for the 700,000 workers in regional government with a minimum increase of €200 a month. The union also wants to see trainees get an extra €120 a month as well as a guarantee of employment after training. Ver.di is looking to ensure that regional government employees’ catches up with pay levels in local and central government. It also wants to
Unions and agencies establish good practice on nurse recruitment
A Filipino trade unionist has highlighted the way that employment agencies and trade unions in Finland have co-operated to ensure good practice in the recruitment of nurses from overseas. By working together the social partners are able to deliver decent living and working conditions, home and host country cooperation, and employee integration, including language courses and comprehensive information on workers’ rights. Read more at > JHL (EN)
Health unions considers industrial action over homes for the elderly
The health and social services union has said it may take industrial action in protest at the funding of homes for the elderly. The union argues that the funding crisis is undermining the service provided by the homes and a factor in the low pay in the sector, with average salaries of 14,500 crowns (€530) – 6,000 crowns (€220) below the Czech national average wage. Read more at > České Noviny (EN)
Unions submit detailed pay claim for council workers
The three main local government unions – UNISON, GMB and Unite – have submitted their pay claim for 2009-2010. They want a pay increase that compensates for inflation with higher increases for the lower paid. The unions want a 12-month agreement and are not looking for any other changes in terms and conditions. A detailed document supporting the claim has been published. It compares pay rates in local government with pay in the rest of the public sector and with similar jobs in the private sector. The report also looks at minimum pay and shows that the lowest pay rate in local government is
Wage trends reviewed
A new publication from the ETUI-REHS research organisation analyses of wage developments and wage bargaining practices since the mid-1990s in 17 European countries. The introduction provides an overview of some of the main trends across Europe with a focus on wage moderation, the minimum wage and the decentralisation of collective bargaining. The country chapters provide a detailed overview of wage developments, also in relation to productivity, low pay and the minimum wage, and gender and sectoral wage differences. They also discuss developments concerning bargaining levels and the bargaining
Union calls for 3.5% increase and 13th month for care workers
Public service union Abvakabo has called for a 3.5% pay increase for the 500,000 workers employed in health and social care and covered by three collective agreements – hospitals, mental health and disabled care. The union argues that the sector is being affected by demographic change with staff shortages at the same time as there is an increasing demand from an ageing population, with the numbers in care likely to rise by 50% to 1.5 million over the next 15 years. As part of the claim the union also wants a 13th month payment. [Read more at > ABVAKABO (NL)->http://www.abvakabofnv.nl/cao
Unions protest over Lithuanian government response to crisis
Public sector unions joined other trade unions and opposition parties in a major demonstration earlier this month in protest at the economic policies of the Lithuanian and Latvian governments. Reports indicate, for example that the Lithuanian government is planning a 15% in the public sector wage bill. EPSU and the ETUC sent messages of support to local trade unions. Read more at > EU Observer (EN) And at > EPSU (EN)