Trade unions organising in the eldercare sector report an unprecedented level of mobilisation for their strike action and protests on 30 January. The action was coordinated across eight trade union organisations with the support also of the AD-PA association representing directors of eldercare institutions. The protests across the country were also joined by user groups and families. The unions have dismissed the government proposal for an extra EUR 50 million in funding saying that this is completely inadequate to address the urgent staffing needs and the claims for better pay and career prospects that would begin to recognise the workloads and responsibilities of elder care workers.
Unions celebrate unprecedented day of action in eldercare
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Strikers under pressure in unprecedented action
EPSU has sent solidarity greetings to its affiliate, the Industrial workers federation of Lithuania, which began an indefinite strike in the fertilizers and industrial chemicals company Achema on 8 February. This is thought to be the first strike in the country in the private sector in 30 years and the union reports that the 600 strikers have been put under considerable pressure by the company. The union is demanding an end to labour rights violations, a collective agreement, pay increase, and the creation of a climate of dialogue and information and consultation.
Union organises national action day on eldercare
The ver.di health and social care union organised a national action day in the eldercare sector on 21 November. Along with local events across the country, the union coordinated a national photo action involving thousands of care workers. The aim of the day was to highlight the need for better pay and working conditions and more staff to tackle the increasing demands on the sector. Ver.di points out that staff face excessive overtime, extra shifts at short notice and long hours without breaks. The federal government is committed to creating 13000 new jobs in the sector but ver.di argues that
Unprecedented pay rise for social insurance workers
Workers at the ZUS social insurance institution are getting a large pay rise thanks to months of campaigning and negotiating by their union ZPP ZUS. Most workers will get at least PLN 600 (€125) but on average increases will be around PLN 900 (€190). The minimum salary is now PLN 3100 (€650). Some workers will benefit from discretionary increases with a maximum increase for most workers of PLN 1200 (€250) while IT workers could get up to PLN 1500 (€315). EPSU wrote to the prime minister underlining the massive amount of additional work ZUS employees had to undertake in relation to the pandemic