Today, 17 May, is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. This year’s theme of ”Together always: united in diversity” should resonate with all trade unionists. It reflects the solidarity that binds – and builds – our movement.
The three trade union confederations – ACV/CSC, ABVV/FGTB and ACLVB/CGLSB are organising a national demonstration on 22 May in protest against increasing anti-union actions by employers and the authorities. The coordinated action is prompted by the conflict in the Delhaize supermarket chain where unions have been striking and campaigning against the company’s plans to franchise all its stores, posing a major threat to jobs and working conditions. Unions have been met with a hardline response from both the employer and aggressive tactics from the police. The confederations are concerned that
Europe’s public service workers are showing in many different ways that they expect significant pay increases to value the work they do for society, to compensate for high inflation and to show respect for their dedication during the very difficult period of COVID-19. They kept public services running. Strikes and industrial actions continue to take place across Europe.
The UK trade union movement has been angered by the government’s rushed draft legislation to impose minimum service levels on public service strikers. The government claims it is bringing the UK into line with countries like Italy and Spain but fails to acknowledge the different systems in those countries that guarantee the right to strike and impose no requirements on balloting for industrial action. The UK legislation, if passed, would not ensure that trade unions can negotiate minimum service levels and would allow employers to dismiss workers who failed to comply with the requirement to
