20-2007 epsucob@NEWS 15 November 2007
Strikes and demonstrations planned for 20 November
Public sector union federations have called for a day of action on 20 November in response to the government's failure to negotiate over pay, pensions and jobs. The unions want to see public service employees compensated for the loss of purchasing power of their salaries over recent years, an end to precarious employment and a retraction of current proposals to reduce pension entitlement. [Read more at > CGT (FR)->http://www.spterritoriaux.cgt.fr/IMG/pdf_communique_pour_manifestation_du_20_nov.pdf] [And at > CFDT (FR)->http://www.cfdt.fr/actualite/fonctions_publiques/salaires_dialogue_social
Berlin regional government takes minimum wage initiative
While the national debate over the introduction of a statutory minimum wage continues, the regional government in Berlin is taking steps to introduce a minimum wage in public contracts. The government is proposing that any company bidding for a contract with the regional authority which does not have a collective agreement will have to prove that it pays its workers at least €7.50 an hour. This is the current trade union target for a national minimum wage. Read more at > Berlin regional government (DE)
State sector and private social services agreements concluded
JHL the biggest public service union reports that collective agreements in the state sector and private social services sector have been concluded. State sector workers will get an 11.7% increase over two years, this is ahead of general pay rises and in line with JHL's strategy to close the gap between private and public sector pay. The two-year pay increases in private social services will be between 10.2% and 13.1% depending on the occupation. This deal is in line with the recent agreement in the municipal sector and also includes an equality allowance as a measure to reduce the gender pay
ETUC calls finance ministers to account on wage moderation
The ETUC is calling for talks with European finance ministers and the European Commission to secure a change in policy over wages. Recent evidence shows not only several years of wage moderation but a falling share of wages in national income. Confederal secretary Walter Cerfeda argues: “Europe has to get rid of the ‘idée fixe' that wage moderation automatically results in new jobs. For an integrated economy such as the euro area, systemic wage moderation only results in undermining overall domestic demand on the European internal market.” [Read more at > ETUC version française->http://www
Major issues at stake in bargaining at E.ON
The energy section of the ver.di services union has re-affirmed its refusal to accept E.ON's demands for a longer working week (up from 36 to 38 hours) and a second and lower pay scale. The union also wants the company's subsidiary in east Germany to be fully covered by the collective agreement and assurance that any new companies in the E.ON group will also be covered. Read more at > ver.di (DE)
Federations mobilise healthworkers
The three main public sector federations - FP CGIL, FPS CSIL and UIL - are planning to mobilise their health service workers for a national demonstration at the health ministry in Rome following a statement from health minister Turco that he would not endorse the new collective agreement signed back in July. The unions are warning that inadequate staffing levels, pay cuts and more precarious employment are undermining levels of service in the sector. Read more at > FP CGIL (IT)
Nurses' union keeps up pressure on pay
The TEHY nurses' union has reaffirmed its determination to campaign for pay increases for nurses that are higher than those agreed in the recent municipal sector bargaining. The union is backing a mass resignation of nurses on 19 November and has stated that it will be paying nurses €60 a day following their resignation. Read more at > YLE news site (EN)
Strike decision on hold as talks continue
A substantial majority of civil servants voted for further strike action as part of the PCS union's campaign over pay and jobs. The union has decided not to call action at the moment while it continues talks with the government. The main aims of its campaign include: no compulsory redundancies or relocations; pay increases which at least keep pace with the cost of living; a national pay system to end unfair pay that sees staff doing the same job paid vastly differing salaries; no more privatization and outsourcing without agreements to protect the workforce; and adequate resources and decent
Negotiations over pensions follow second day of major strike action
The CGT confederation has proposed a series of sector-based negotiations with employers and the government over proposed changes to the special retirement schemes that cover certain parts of the public service - in particular rail transport and energy. After widespread strike action on 18 October rail and energy workers took action again on 14 November. Read more at > FNME-CGT (FR)
Unions unite in strike action at Ministry of Justice
The two main public service federations - FSP-UGT and FSAP-CCOO - along with the CSI-CSIF and STAJ unions have called for strike action in the Ministry of Justice on 15 and 22 November. The unions are trying to ensure that Ministry employees who have not been transferred to the regions get an increase in pay to compensate for the fact that they are currently losing out by anything between €100 and €250 per month compared to those who have been transferred. [Read more at > FSP-UGT (ES)->http://www.fspugt.es/index.php/mod.noticias/mem.detalle/idnoticia.1990/cat.1142] [And at > FSAP-CCOO (ES)-
Equal pay victory for UNISON members
Around 1,500 low-paid women workers are set to receive substantial pay increases and back pay after UNISON won an important legal victory. The women had been successful at an earlier tribunal but their employer, Cumbria County Council, appealed against the ruling. The women affected work mainly as care assistants, home carers, kitchen assistants, cooks and night care assistants. Read more at > UNISON (EN)
Unions agree to commission to resolve stalemate in municipal negotiations
Unions and employers are still at loggerheads over a new collective agreement covering the 180,000 employees in local government. The only stumbling block is the unions' demand that certain groups of workers be compensated for the impact of tax rules on their early retirement pensions. Both sides have now agreed that an independent commission be called in to recommend a solution. Read more at > ABVAKABO (NL) And at > CNV Publieke Zaak (NL)
Future of European industrial relations in the public services
It is not too late to register for EPSU's annual collective bargaining conference which this year will include a debate on the future of European industrial relations in the public services. Taking part in the discussion will be two experts on European social dialogue and collective bargaining, Professors Paul Marginson of Warwick University in the UK and Franz Traxler of the University of Vienna. There will also be a contribution from Bart Samyn, deputy general secretary of the European Metalworkers' Federation, who has been at the forefront of the EMF's strategy to co-ordinate collective