2010 October epsucob@NEWS 19
Confederation stages 24-hour strike over latest cuts package
The ADEDY civil service confederation called a 24-hour strike on 7 October in response to the latest package of cuts, attacks on employment rights and plans for privatisation proposed by the government. The measures are part of an updated agreement with the International Monetary Fund and European Commission. Read more at > ADEDY (EL) And at > EPSU (EN) And at > Bloomberg news website (EN)
Mobilisations continue over pension reforms
Unions are managing to maintain a high level of support for a series of demonstrations and days of action against the government’s planned pension changes. Mobilisations on the 7 and 23 September were followed by action on 2 October involving both private and public sector trade unions. The debate on the pension changes was due to start in the senate on 5 October and unions are planning a series of actions over the coming days to keep up the pressure with strike action planned for 12 October. [Read more at > joint union communiqué (FR)->http://www.cgt.fr/spip.php?article37788] [And at > FO
Over 40,000 join protest against public sector pay cuts
Public sector workers are facing an across-the-board cut of 10% and if a proposed reform of the pay structure goes ahead then some workers could see their salaries reduced by up to 40%. A national demonstration against the pay cuts was organised on 21 September by the CMKOS trade union confederation, calling for solidarity from all trade unions in support of public sector workers. Health workers have called off a strike planned for 15 October following a government commitment that they wouldn’t see their pay decrease in 2011. However, the union has said it may resort to industrial action
Energy union plans strike
The SDE energy sector union has been in lengthy negotiations with the government over restructuring of the electricity distribution sector. The union aims to protect employment and pay and conditions and is now planning a strike on 12 October in order to put pressure on the government. Read more at > SDE (SI)
Public-sector wide strike suspended
Public sector unions agreed to suspend their strike in response to a government commitment to abide by the current collective agreement. One of the main issues of dispute is the timetable for paying workers salary adjustments arising from changes in the public sector pay system. The adjustments were meant to be paid in four instalments but the government wants to suspend payment of the third quarter until economic growth reaches 2.5% a year. Read more at > EMG news website EN()
Demonstration marks continuing determination of airport cleaners
Members of the VPÖD/SSP public services union are continuing their dispute with ISS Aviation, the cleaning company at Geneva Airport. The cleaners are protesting over the company’s termination of a long-standing collective agreement and cut in wages. The union, backed by the SGB/USS trade union confederation, has also challenged the company over the validity of the PUSH trade union which the company says has signed the new agreement. The union is urging people to sign the online petition. [Read more at > VPÖD/SSP (DE)->http://www.vpod.ch] [Read more at > SSP/ VPÖD (FR)->http://www.ssp-vpod.ch]
ENERGY, WASTE AND WATER – COMPARE YOUR PAY
EPSU is urging all its affiliates in the energy, waste and water sectors to get their members to complete an online questionnaire. The survey covers occupational pay and conditions and will provide valuable information for comparisons both within and between countries and in multinational companies. The survey is being run as part of a project (WISUTIL) in co-operation with the Wage Indicator websites. Online survey forms are available in national languages in 21 EU countries. Find your national site here > EPSU/WISUTIL
Union highlights role of social clauses in procurement in defence of public services
In a conference on defending public services, the GDG-KMSFB union set out a range of social and financial measures that could help ensure the provision of quality public services. The union’s list of demands included defence of public services in the face of the uncontrolled competition characterised by the single market and the application of social and environmental clauses in public procurement. The union also underlined the importance for public services of a well-trained, motivated and decently paid workforce. [Read more at > GDG-KMSFB (DE)->http://www.gdg-kmsfb.at/servlet/ContentServer
Grid company challenged over low wages for sub-contractors
The electricity workers’ union has called on Fingrid, the national electricity grid company, to investigate claims that Turkish workers employed by a sub-contractor are paid wages at around half the rate set by the relevant collective agreement. The union is not opposed to the employment of foreign workers but concerned about maintaining the proper pay and conditions for employees in the sector. It is urging the company to consider its responsibility and ensure contracts are awarded fairly and with due respect to the legislation. [Read more at > Trade Union News (EN)->http://www.artto.kaapeli
Waste sector conference focuses on bargaining and demographic change
Over 100 works and staff council representatives attended ver.di’s 2010 waste sector conference. They head a stark warning from Erhard Ott, head of ver.di’s energy, waste and transport section, that they were facing the prospect of very tough bargaining in the sector, much tougher than previous bargaining rounds. The conference also discussed the impact of an ageing workforce. With the average age of workers in the sector now reaching 50, delegates focused on the importance of improvements in health and safety and the need to reduce the impact of heavy lifting. [Read more at > ver.di (DE)-
EQUAL PAY SURVEY – PLEASE COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE
We have had 25 responses to the questionnaire from 16 countries but need many more to get a complete picture of how affiliates are trying to close the gender pay gap. There is not yet a single country where we have responses covering all EPSU sectors. Complete the survey > equal pay questionnaire in 16 languages
Confederation calls for higher minimum wages and measures to reduce wage arrears
On the even of the World Day for Decent Work, the FPSU trade union confederation highlighted the continuing problem of wage arrears. Although the situation had improved since the beginning of the year, workers were still owed UAH 1.5 billion (€135 million) in back pay with the state sector one of the worst affected. The Confederation also pointed out the problem of low pay the health sector and the need for a higher minimum wage. The government says it is aiming at a minimum wage of UAH 1004 by the end of 2011 but the union target is UAH 1655.
Union federations call for tax cuts and increased union involvement in work organisation
The FP CISL and UIL public service federations have organised a national demonstration on 9 October over reform of the tax system. They are also calling for the decentralised bargaining system to allow unions a great role in how work is organised and services delivered. With a three-year pay freeze in prospect the unions say that a tax cut for workers is one way of protecting their take home pay. They also call for great action on tax evasion. Read more at > FP CISL (IT)
Training and better funding needed for cleaner hospitals
A new report on standards of cleanliness in hospitals in the Copenhagen region has revealed widespread problems with only around a third of hospital facilities meeting the required levels of hygiene. The FOA public services union points out this is the latest in a long line of reports that have revealed similar problems and that radical action is needed. It says that rather than the government complaining it should find solutions. The union wants to see more funding for more cleaning and for more training for staff. It also argues that privatisation is not part of the solution. [Read more at >
Unions and employers sign European agreement to tackle third-party violence
EPSU joined with education federation ETUCE and services federation UNI-Europa in signing a new European agreement on third-party violence. The multi-sector agreement was negotiated with employers in the local and regional government and health sectors along with employers in the education, retail and security sectors. The agreement calls for increasing awareness and understanding of the issue among employers, workers and public authorities and underlines the need to properly assess the risks posed by third party violence in different workplaces and job functions. Managers and workers need
SIGN UP FOR THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING CONFERENCE
EPSU’s collective bargaining conference this year will include key debates on public sector pay cuts and freezes. It will also consider the European Commission’s proposals for closer economic surveillance with the prospect that European institutions will try to intervene even more in the setting of pay in the public sector. Read more at > EPSU (10 languages)
Union continues to resist government plans to cut redundancy pay
The PCS civil service union is challenging the government over its plans to make substantial cuts in the redundancy compensation scheme. The union it is still prepared to negotiate with the government over the scale of the reductions. The union took the previous government to the High Court over the scheme. The Court confirmed that the scheme could not altered without the agreement of all six unions in the civil service. Read more at > PCS (EN)
Union aims for 7% increase in negotiations
The ver.di services union has initiated negotiations with the Sana health company with a claim for a 7% increase in pay. This follows consultation with ver.di members in the company and discussion at the collective bargaining committee. Sana runs 41 hospitals across Germany and employs 19,000 workers. Ver.di points out that its latest figures show a significant increase in turnover and profits and that the increased workloads for all employees fully justify the pay rise. Read more at > ver.di (DE)
Action in non-profit sector wins some concessions
Unions in the non-profit sector (health, social services, social housing) have been campaigning for years for increased funding for the sector that would boost employment and allow for better pay and conditions. The latest demonstration in Brussels took place on 14 September. Some elements of an agreement signed in 2001 have still not been implemented in Brussels where workers are still waiting for their 13th month salary and allowances for transport costs to be paid. There is now the promise of extra money and an agreement that would also cover the French-speaking community and Wallonia
Demonstration highlights demand for increased funding for child care and social care
Members of the VIDA services union joined a 900-strong demonstration in Vienna as part of their continuing campaign to secure increased funding for the health and social care sectors. With understaffing leading to burn-out the union wants to see more resources for jobs, training and decent pay and conditions. Read more at > VIDA (DE)