France
Joint union strikes and protests over health and social services
Seven trade union and professional organisations joined with two campaigning groups to organise a coordinated day of strikes and protests calling for urgent action on funding for health and social services. The action on 8 October also linked up with protests by pensioner groups for better pensions and increased funding for care homes. Increased staffing and better pay and conditions were among the key demands from the unions. A second day of action is planned for 15 October which will link up with unions representing firefighters.
Energy unions plan further action over EDF restructuring
The four unions representing workers in France's main energy company EDF - FNME-CGT, FNEM-FO, CFE-CGC and CFDT Chimie Energie - are continuing their joint actions in protest against the plans for major restructuring and privatisation of the company. After the widely supported strike action on 19 September, the unions have launched a petition and are planning a further day of strike action on 17 October.
Energy unions united in action against EDF restructuring
The energy unions CGT, CFE CGC, CFDT and FO report massive support for their day of strike action on 19 September in protest at the Hercule project - plans for a major restructuring of the country's main energy company EDF. The unions have called on the government, the main shareholder in EDF, to block the project and they are planning further action from 10 October if there is no commitment from the company to withdraw the plans. EPSU organised demonstrations in Brussels in support of the strikers.
Unions call for social dialogue over new public service legislation
Eight public service trade union federations - CFDT, CFTC, CGT, FA, FO, FSU, SOLIDAIRES and UNSA - have issued a joint statement reiterating their opposition to the new law on transforming public services. The unions wanted to see a universal public service, accessible to all and fully staffed with workers protected by statutes. They also want to retain the key committees that help ensure equal treatment and health and safety. Implementation of the law will require consultation over a wide range of issues but the unions are insistent that there should be a proper process of social dialogue and
Civil servants hit by long-term pay freeze
An analysis of pay in the public sector reveals that the average civil servant has seen a cumulative loss of purchasing power of EUR 6000 since 2010 as public sector pay has failed to increase in line with prices. In the last nine years there have been just two increases in the index that sets civil servants' pay - only 0.6% in July 2016 and the same amount in February 2017. Taking a longer perspective, 20 years ago around 10% of civil servants were paid in a range between the minimum wage and 10% above the minimum wage. That percentage has almost doubled meaning that 1 million civil servants
Firefighters on strike over jobs and pay
Seven trade union organisations, including the CGT, CFDT, FO and UNSA, representing 85% of all firefighters have been taking strike action to demand improvements in pay and for a significant increase in jobs. The joint actions began in June and are running until the end of August. The unions want to see the withdrawal of legislation on public service reform and a number of other measures to improve pay, health and safety, pensions and trade union rights. A key demand is an increase in recruitment on statutory conditions. There are 40000 professional firefighters. This is the same number as in
Nine union organisations condemn public service legislation
Nine trade unions organising in the public services - CGT, CFDT, FO, UNSA, FSU, Solidaires, CFE-CGT, CFTC and FA-FP - have stated that they will continue to oppose the measures that are set to be implemented by the law on transforming the public sector that was voted through by the Senate on 23 July. The unions argue that the legislation will make it more difficult for them to protect workers' interests as it will weaken joint administrative committees and abolish committees dealing with health and safety and working conditions. They also warn that it will lead to more temporary employment and
Emergency service workers continue actions across the country
Following the national strike and day of action on 2 July, emergency service workers are continuing to take action in many parts of the country. The protests and strikes are over pay and working conditions and the urgent need to address understaffing and excessive workloads that are leading to burnout and stress. Repeated and all-out strikes are taking place in Aveyron, Chambery-Aix, Redon, Perpignan and the Loire region among others. Further national action is planned for September.
Emergency health staff take action
Staff working in accident and emergency services across the country took action on 2 July to call for urgent measures on jobs, beds and pay. The day of action, including a national demonstration in Paris, came the day before trade unions were due to meet the government to discuss pay across the public services. The CGT, FO and SUD unions organising emergency staff are calling for additional staff, more beds so that patients don't get stuck on trolleys and higher pay to recognise the arduousness of the work in accident and emergency services.