2013 February epsucob@NEWS 03

Representatives of European and national trade union and employer organisations met in Brussels on 1 February. They were taking part in a meeting to discuss wage developments, organised by the European Council's Employment Committee with support from DG Employment. The main aim of the meeting was discuss wages from the point of view productivity, equality and employment. Both employers and trade unions underlined the autonomy of the social partners at national level in the face of any initiative to establish any formal wage monitoring at European level. It was, however, a useful opportunity

The CGTP trade union confederation is organising demonstrations across the country on 16 February in protest at the austerity measures that are taking their toll on both public and private sectors. On 15 March the Frente Comum, bringing together a number of public sector unions, is organising a national demonstration outside the Ministry of Finance to protest against the impact of austerity on public sector workers and public services. [Read more on the February demonstrations at > STAL (PT)->http://www.stal.pt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1133&Itemid=240] [And on the March

The GPA-DJP and vida services unions have agreed new pay and conditions covering workers in the private and non-profit (church-run) health and social services sector. This is the first time that these groups of workers have been covered by the same negotiations although not all elements of the deal were agreed the church employers. There is an increase of 2.75% on minimum rates from 1 February with other pay rates rising by 2.7% (inflation is currently running at 2.8%). Other elements of the deal include 12 months' care leave, the recognition of earlier periods of non-specialised employment

Members of the CGT employed by six gas sector subsidiaries of GDF Suez have been taking strike action since 4 February. Their main demands include a shift in company policy away from a narrow financial focus on increased dividends for shareholders and a call to reopen pay negotiations. The union also wants to see a coherent policy for the group on the basis of providing security of energy supply as well as employment. Finally, the CGT is calling for an end to restructuring, site closures, job cuts and outsourcing. [Read more at > FNME-CGT (FR)->http://www.fnme-cgt.fr/pages/communique.php?id

Public service trade unions have taken action in recent weeks in the lead up to a meeting with the public services minister on 7 February over a range of issues related to pay and conditions. Although the Minister, Marylise Lebranchu, made positive moves on some issues the unions were disappointed that she refused to budge on two key points. The government is insisting on another pay freeze this year while also maintaining the waiting day that applies in cases of sickness absence. [Read joint union statement at > CGT Services Publics (FR)->http://www.spterritoriaux.cgt.fr/spip.php?article6144]

The four unions negotiating for employees in the mental health sector, FNV Abvakabo, CNV Publieke Zaak, NU'91 and FBZ, have put forward their main demands to the GGZ employers' organisation. The collective agreement expired on 1 January 2013 and the unions are looking for an overall pay bill increase of 3% with 2.5% specifically for wages. The unions underline the urgent need to tackle recruitment challenges and make the sector more attractive to younger workers while also trying to retain older staff. This includes initiatives to reduce excessive workloads and stress. [Read more at > FNV

Members of UNISON in England have given their support to changes to "Agenda for Change", the main national agreement covering the pay and conditions of workers in the National Health Service (NHS). UNISON argues that the changes will be important in maintaining a national agreement and preventing the break away of more NHS Trusts looking for local or regional pay arrangements. The changes will mean that progression up the pay scale will depend on individuals' skills, competences and performance. There will also be more pay flexibility for senior staff. [Read more at > UNISON->http://www.unison

Local government union Vision has welcomed the commitment of the new equalities minister to tackle the gender pay gap and particularly the structural problem of lower pay in sectors where women make up the majority of the workforce. This is an issue of particular importance for Vision, recognising the challenge of having to change some fundamental values in society in order to close the gap, a gap which also has an impact on the pay of men working in sectors dominated by women. [Read more at > Vision (SE)->https://vision.se/Opinion/Pressmeddelanden/2013/Nya-jamstalldhetsministern-lyfter

Both the UGT and CCOO trade union confederations have produced reports revealing the failure of the government's labour law reforms over the past year. The UGT points out that employment fell by 822000 in 2012 and, in fact, fell more sharply in 2012 than in 2009 in the depth of the crisis. The confederation argues that there is an urgent need to boost economic activity not reform labour law. The CCOO assessment attacks the reforms to collective bargaining and employment protection legislation which it says have created more conflict and disputes. [Read more at > UGT (ES)->http://www.ugt.es

The ADEDY and GSEE public and private sector trade union confederations have called a general strike for 20 February in protest at the continuing pressure for cuts coming from the Troika of European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund. Civil servants are the target of next round of cuts with the Troika wanting to see 25000 dismissed or transferred to other areas. Trade unions have also reacted angrily to the government's actions to prevent transport workers from taking strike action and the GENOP energy union took 24-hour strike action on 31 January in protest at

The government has said that current proposals for cuts in the public sector pay bill will be the last call on public sector workers. Negotiations are underway for an extension of the "Croke Park" national agreement that dates from 2010. The government has threatened to impose €1 billion in cuts if a deal isn't reached. Unions are still waiting for some of the details of the proposals but have already rejected a five-hour increase in weekly working hours. They say that they want to see details of the financial impact of any increase in working time. In the meantime over 110000 people joined