The FNV confederation has set out the key elements of its bargaining strategy for 2012. Along with a target pay increase of 2.5% it wants an additional €300 to help low-paid workers in particular deal with cuts to child benefit and to maintain their purchasing power. The confederation argues that maintaining purchasing power was vital for the economy. FNV unions will also be looking at ways of improving the pay of young workers and temporary workers and dealing with precarious employment conditions.
Read more at > FNV Abvakabo (NL)
Confederation agrees framework for collective bargaining in 2012
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Confederations agree on general strike
The three trade union confederations are planning a general strike for 30 January in protest at the government austerity measures and their impact on workers and the welfare state. Unions are concerned about cuts to unemployment benefit and attacks on early retirement among other changes. They argue that the measures are being pushed through without any social dialogue and that the government has failed to consider any alternatives – no real attempt to deal with tax fraud and with the banks and employers in general getting off very lightly. [Read more at > FGTB/ABVV (FR)->http://www.fgtb.be
Confederation agrees to coordinate on pay
The LO confederation, with 14 affiliates representing mainly blue-collar workers, has agreed a formula to coordinate collective bargaining on pay in the upcoming wage round. This includes a commitment to focus on lower paid workers with an aim to secure increases in minimum wages in collective agreements by specific amounts in Krone to underpin general percentage pay rises. This first step in coordination was welcomed by EPSU’s affiliates in LO, Kommunal, SEKO and the transport workers’ union. However, there was also a recognition that discussions would continue on the specific figures to be
EPSU collective bargaining activity in 2012
The November meeting of EPSU’s Executive Committee agreed a new development in the Federation’s collective bargaining work with plans to organize a first meeting of a collective bargaining network. A provisional date for the first meeting was 10 January but this has now been deferred, probably until April but a definite date will be circulated to all affiliates early in the new year. A collective bargaining conference is also planned for 2012 and this will take place in Brussels on 13-14 December.