2015 July epsucob@NEWS 11
National protest over public sector bargaining
The general secretaries of the public service federations - FP CGIL, CISL FP, UIL FPL, and UILPA - have made a further call for an immediate return to collective bargaining in the public sector following the national demonstration they organised in Rome on 29 July. The unions argue that key issues like reducing waste, improving organizational innovation and investing in skills can best be addressed through negotiations. The federations have made clear that further mobilisations will follow if the government doesn't respond positively to the call to negotiate. [Read more at > FP CGIL (IT)->http
Major protest against new labour law
Thousands of workers joined a demonstration in Sarajevo in opposition to a new labour code adopted by the parliament of the Bosnian Federation. The protestors were also joined by trade unionists from Repubika Srpska where the labour code will be debated in parliament later this year. Trade unions are concerned about the weakening of employment rights enshrined in the legislation which is being adopted by the government in response to pressures to agree labour reforms to meet lending conditions required by the International Monetary Fund. [Read more at > Balkan Insight news website (EN)->http:/
National Gallery staff plan all-out strike
The long-running dispute over privatisation at the National Gallery in central London is set to continue as the PCS union threatens an all-out strike of its members. The union has been campaigning against proposals by the Gallery to contract out staff who provide visitor services. The union says that it has alternative proposals and is calling on the management to agree to talks at the the ACAS arbitration and conciliation service in order to achieve a negotiated settlement. [Read more at > PCS->http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/pcs_comment.cfm/all-out-strike-announced-by
Unions plug another gap in collective bargaining
The vida and GPA-djp trade unions have negotiated a new collective agreement for around 600 emergency and medical workers employed by the non-profit Samaritan federation. The new agreement, running from 1 July, will mean a further increase in the country's already high level of collective bargaining coverage. The agreement will be developed in annual negotiations over the next few years but already means that workers will be guaranteed six weeks' annual leave. Read more at > vida (DE)
Federations call for end to 12-hour shifts
The FO, CGT, SUD and UNSA health federations have written to the health minister calling for an end to 12-hour shifts in the public health sector. Referring to evidence presented to the health and safety committee for the sector, the unions highlight the increased risks faced by those working 12 hour shifts compared to workers on eight hour shifts. The evidence shows greater risks of musculo-skeletal disorders and other health complaints, including high blood pressure and diabetes. There is also the increased of accidents with those working 12.5 hour shifts or longer three times more likely to
Union challenges outsourcing company over redundancy pay
Probation unions GMB, Napo and UNISON are calling on multi-national company Sodexo to honour the redundancy terms which workers are due as a result of the company’s plans to cut 436 staff (nearly 40% of staff). Sodexo was awarded six contracts to run probation services in 10 counties across England in February 2015. The company is now seeking to impose a severance package that is worth less than half what members are owed. Read more at > GMB
New agreement in general practice
The FNV and CNV trade unions have negotiated a new two-year agreement covering workers in general practices. In terms of pay the agreement, backdated to 1 March 2015 will deliver a 3.75% increase in four stages. There are also provisions on shift work and annual leave affecting older workers and additional funds for trainees. Read more at > FNV (NL)
ILO asked to intervene over new legislation
Letter to ILOLetter to parliamentThe ITUC along with the national confederations - FPU and KVPU - have written to the International Labour Organisation to raise serious concerns about draft legislation that has just passed through its first reading in parliament. The Confederations argue that, if passed, the legislation will undermine trade union autonomy and restrict international union democracy. The joint letter calls for an evaluation by the ILO on the basis that the law would conflict Convention 87 on the freedom of association. The joint trade union body has also written to the chair of
Unions welcome new collective bargaining legislation
Legislation just passed in parliament will provide important new rights for trade unions. It allow trade unions to represent members at the Labour Court where employers refuse to recognise unions, and secure legally binding benefits for workers. The legislation also defines what constitutes “collective bargaining” and offers guidelines to help the Labour Court identify if internal bargaining bodies are genuinely independent of their employer. Unions and worker representatives will be able to secure benefits in companies where employers refuse to pay the going rate and there will be stronger
Unions criticise government's failure to negotiate
The FSC-CCOO and FSP-UGT trade union federations have expressed their anger and disappointment at the failure of the government to undertake real negotiations over employment in the state administration at a recent technical committee on employment. Coming only a few days before the government finalises its budget for 2016, the meeting was organised without a proper agenda or full discussion of the issues of concern for the unions. Nor were there any concrete proposals from the government to address the problems created job cuts and recruitment freezes as well as outsourcing in particular
Employers won't negotiate over culture workers' pensions
The Fagforbundet trade union is attempting to negotiate a new pension scheme covering theatre, ballet, opera and orchestra workers. The current defined benefit scheme is too expensive and the union has put forward a hybrid scheme, combining elements of both defined contribution and defined benefit schemes, that will also ensure equal pension entitlement between men and women. The union is surprised that the Spekter employers' organisation is unwilling to negotiate on this basis and is looking to change to a defined contribution scheme. [Read more at > Fagforbundet (NO)->http://www.fagforbundet
50000 contract workers to be directly employed
The Histradut trade union has negotiated a significant agreement with the Ministry of Finance whereby around 50000 workers currently employed by contractors will be taken on as direct public employees. The workers affected include cleaners, security staff, nurses, social workers and lawyers employed across different institutions such as schools, hospitals, employment services and immigration centres. This reflects further progress in Histradut's [campaign->http://www.epsu.org/r/607] to improve the rights of contract workers. [Read more at > Histradut (EN)->http://www.histadrut.org.il/index.php