Waste, Environment/Climate Change
Responding to the challenge of climate change
Climate change, the largest single threat to current and future generations, is posing fundamental challenges for public services and public service workers. In recent years, we have seen extreme weather events, flooding and forest fires for example, leading to loss of life and widespread damage and destruction of buildings and infrastructure. Our members across many services have been part of the immediate and longer term response – in emergency and rescue services, energy and water, local and regional government. EPSU has been working hard to influence policies at global and European level aimed at decarbonising our economies and calling for a shift away from growth at all costs. It is essential that we achieve a more sustainable society is achieved through a just transition whereby no one is left behind.
This briefing, produced for EPSU's 2019 Congress, sets out the federation's recent activity on climate change and current priorities. EPSU has published research focusing on some of the key issues and policy developments including its position on the EU's Green Deal, the failure of energy liberalisation to address climate change and an analysis of action on climate change adaptation.
Waste workers take series of actions in support of pay claim
The FNV has been coordinating a series of actions by waste workers in support of its 5% pay claim for the sector. The union says that the employers’ “final” offer on pay is unacceptable as it would mean that some workers would not even see their purchasing power protected. The actions, including drive-in meetings, target different waste companies at different times and are aimed at raising the visibility of the dispute and are in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.
Waste workers aim for 5% increase
The FNV trade union is seeking a 5% pay increase from 1 January 2021 for the 7000 workers in the private waste sector. It is also claiming a EUR 500 bonus in recognition of the increased risks that workers have faced during the pandemic. A 5% increase would be worth around EUR 50 gross per month, but the employers have only offered an increase worth EUR 40 gross as of 1 June. They have also only offered a EUR 250 lump sum. There, however, agreement on other issues including pensions and sustainable employment. The union will consider work stoppages if the employers don’t come up with a better
Unions address pay and risk supplement for waste workers
The mobilisation of workers in the EGF waste company on 18 December, reported in the EPSU Collective Bargaining Newsletter last month, was followed up with a 48-hour strike on 28 and 29 December. The action is part of a campaign by the STAL trade union to secure an increase in pay, payment of a supplement for risky and arduous work and a collective agreement. Meanwhile, in the public sector the SINTAP trade union has welcomed the inclusion in the 2021 state budget of provisions to allow for arduous work payments for waste and other workers in local government. However, the government has left
Ensuring a Just Transition to climate neutrality
Nurses and waste workers in action
The SEP nurses’ union took part in a week of action (7-11 December) coordinated by the CGTP trade union confederation. For the SEP the key issues are precarious employment, recruitment and working time. The union wants to see all nurses on precarious contracts switched to permanent employment and argues that all nurses, regardless of contract, should accumulate points for their career progression. The SEP is also calling for increased recruitment, an end to 12-hour shifts and action to ensure a 35-hour week. Meanwhile, workers employed by the EGF waste company handed in a petition to the
Webinar: safe jobs in the circular economy
Last Friday, 23rd October, Vera Weghmann from the Public Service International Research Unit presented her recent report, “Safe Jobs in the Circular Economy - Health and Safety in Waste and Wastewater Management” in a webinar organised by EPSU
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons receives the 50th ratification needed for entry into force!
On 24 October, Honduras became the 50th UN Member State to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which means the treaty will now come into force on 22 January.
