Japan, Global, Malta

The government has proposed extending rights for working parents, currently enjoyed in the civil service, right across the public sector. The minimum legal provision of three months' leave and time off for emergencies was much improved by negotiation in the civil service where 12 months of parental leave is available and civil servants have the right to work shorter hours until their children reach the age of 12. Private sector employers have reacted angrily to the proposals fearing that the government might extend them beyond the public sector. [Read more at > EIRO (EN)->http://www.eurofound

The GWU declared a dispute with the government last month over grading of immigration officers. From 5 October the union organised a go-slow of immigration officers to put pressure on the government to resolve the dispute after “the government failed to honour its commitment to discuss their work structure”. The GWU said that there was a dire need for a grade structure to be put in place since those involved were facing difficulties. The go-slow was set to involve immigration booths opening half an hour late while immigration officers have been ordered not to wear their uniform, not to answer

Public sector trade unions in the US have welcomed the outcome of a Supreme Court case that leaves intact their right to charge non-members who choose not to join but who benefit from the unions' collective bargaining work. This right had been called into question by a member of the teachers' union supported by a group of rich individuals and trusts. The case was referred to the Supreme Court whose deliberations ended in deadlock. [Read more at > PSI->http://www.world-psi.org/en/us-supreme-court-decision-gives-reprieve-public-sector-unions] [Read more at > AFSCME->http://www.afscme.org/news

(August 2016) The International Trade Union Confederation and trade unions at the G20 summit of leading industrial nations have called for world leaders to take urgent steps to boost the global economy through co-ordinated action to increase wages and their share in national income. The ITUC says that rebuilding strong labour market institutions to create quality jobs and reduce income inequality must be a priority. Read more at ITUC (EN/FR/ES).

(September 2016) The GWU general union and MUMN nurses' union have both signed agreements with the government providing guarantees on pay and conditions and collective agreements applying to workers affected by a public-private partnership covering three hospitals. The workers affected will remain government employees.

Social workers organised by the UHM Voice of the Workers trade union have been taking industrial action in support of negotiations for a new collective agreement. The action consists of a range of measures that affect non-emergency work across the service but it maybe stepped up if there is no progress in the negotiations. With many staff leaving the service, the union is looking for a deal to increase pay but also to provide continuing professional development.

International union organisations are promoting a major campaign against gender-based violence, a key aim of which is to get the International Labour Organisation to adopt a new convention. Launched on 14 February, the 23 days of action are building critical support for the adoption of a convention, accompanied by a Recommendation, on “Violence and Harassment against Women and Men in the World of Work”, with a strong focus on the gender dimension of violence. The campaign is also mobilising and strengthening trade union action in eradicating gender-based violence from the world of work.