Municipal and provincial disputes rumble on

Industrial action by waste workers is continuing in a number of local authorities. Drivers in Coventry have just voted unanimously to continue their strike to secure pay levels comparable to the private sector and in line with other local authorities in the region. The strike against the Labour Party-controlled authority began at the end of January. Meanwhile waste workers employed by the Veolia multinational that provides services to Croydon Council in South East London are set to strike for three weeks from 16 June. As with the Coventry dispute, their union, Unite, is calling for pay rates

The strike by retained firefighters over pay and staffing was due to go ahead on 26 July after being suspended by the SIPTU union to allow for a Labour Court hearing. At the hearing the employers failed to produce an acceptable offer and the date for action was confirmed by the union. Meanwhile, the Fórsa trade union is balloting members in its health and welfare division over two disputes – one in relation to career development and the other in relation to the excessive use of agency staff and external consultants. Both unions, along with the INMO trade union are also continuing to campaign

Unions and employers look to have resolved the conflict over pay in the provincial government sector after more than a year of negotiations and campaigning. The agreement runs from 1 June 2009 to 1 June 2011 and includes pay increases of 1.2% backdated to 1 January 2010 and a lump sum worth 0.5% of salary paid on 1 June to compensate for no pay increase during the last six months of 2009. There will be another rise of 0.7% on 1 January 2011. The agreement also includes provisions on training and employment of disabled workers. [Read more at > FNV Abvakabo (NL)->http://www.abvakabofnv.nl/nieuws