Unions organising local government, semi-public sector and contract workers called off a planned 3-hour strike following confirmation by the government that it would honour an agreement signed in January this year. The agreement included a commitment to a pay rise/recuperation of some of the pay cuts imposed since 2012 once the economy was growing again. The unions planned the strike when the government initially refused to discuss a pay rise despite positive economic developments.
Strike threat pushes government to confirm pay deal
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Government confirms public sector pay rise in face of strike threat
The coalition government has confirmed that it will implement a 10% pay rise for public sector workers (15% for teachers) in November. Public sector trade unions had expected the increases to be applied in September and issued a threat of strike action if the government failed to ensure that the increases would take effect in November.
Unions call on government to confirm 10% pay rise
Public sector trade unions met on 30th August to give a clear message to the government that there should be no further delay in paying the 10% salary increase for all public service workers. The unions accused the government of delay as it had already indicated that the promised increase would be applied from November rather than September. The unions said that they had been negotiating in good faith since April and would be joining a national demonstration on pay on 14 September to underline their message to the government.
Two-week strike stops threat to pay and conditions
The JHL public services union has successfully defended the pay and conditions of workers employed by the Arkea municipal company that provides catering and other services to the Turku local authority. The company had sought to change collective agreements that would have meant significant changes to pay rates with some workers potentially losing out by as much as 30% of their earnings. The strike action led to negotiations with the company which will now stick with the current agreement which is due to be re-negotiated next spring.