U.K.
The GMB, Unite and UNISON trade unions representing ambulance staff in Scotland have negotiated a new deal that protects workers’ meal breaks while compensating them for occasions when they do have to deal with call-outs during their breaks.
Read more at > GMB (EN)
The Eurofound research agency has published a new report that looks at the rules on rest breaks at work across Europe. These cover both legislation and the kinds of rules included in collective agreements. The report finds considerable variety with different approaches to whether breaks are paid or unpaid and whether or not they are included in working time. The overview includes information on rules for specific categories of workers such as pregnant women, young workers and those employed in arduous occupations. While not a major area of legal dispute, the report highlights some recent court
(February 2017) Negotiators in the private manufacturing sector signed a new three-year deal last month. This is seen as a key agreement setting the pace for negotiations in other sectors. In the public services, the FOA union noted in particular the proposals for new funding and rights for workers for training as well as improved parental leave. FOA also underlines the flat-rate, two-crown (EUR 0.3) increase in the minimum hourly pay rates in each of the three years of the agreement. Which will take the minimum to DKK 117.65 (EUR 16.1) by 2019.
National negotiations over a framework for pay increases over the next two years broke down at the beginning of October and now collective bargaining will continue at sectoral level. The EK private business federation and KT local government employers offered a 2.4% pay increase for 13 months and 1.9% for the following 12 months. The SAK and STTK confederations rejected the offer as too low. Read more at > Trade Union News (EN)
