USA, Kosovo
Research reveals impact of declining collective bargaining coverage
The Economic Policy Institute in the US has just published research that reveals the impact of declining union density and collective bargaining on wages. It finds, for example, that falling union membership translates to a loss of $1.56 (€1.47) per hour worked for the average worker, the equivalent of $3,250 (€3,070) for a full-time, full-year worker. Meanwhile, the erosion of collective bargaining lowered the median hourly wage also by $1.56 (€1.47), a 7.9% decline (0.2% annually), from 1979 to 2017. An analysis of wage distribution found that declining unionisation had widened inequality
USA sets example for Europe with initiative on organising and collective bargaining
The US government has set out 70 recommendations to encourage collective bargaining and union membership making it easier for many federal employees to join unions and eliminating barriers for union organizers to talk with workers. A report by the administration’s Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, says, “it is our administration’s belief that unions benefit all of us.” The report notes that union households earn up to 20% more than non-union households, with an even greater union advantage for workers with less formal education and workers of colour. The report calls for
Health union suspends strike action
The FSSHK health workers’ union suspended strike action planned for 20 December to allow for talks with the health ministry and prime minister. The union has already taken action in its campaign to ensure the 2022 budget includes funding for higher pay for health workers. The union is aiming for a 50% pay increase. However, it has proved difficult to bring the government to the negotiating table and the union says that it has only suspended the action and it will set another date in January if talks with the government don’t deliver. The prime minister has attacked the leadership of both the
Health union organises strike action to get negotiations
The FSSHK health union took strike action on 25 November as part of a long-running campaign to try to get the ministry of health and the government around the negotiating table. The union wants to ensure that health workers are properly rewarded for their work, particularly during the pandemic, and is calling for talks over the 2022 budget and funding to cover improvements in pay and conditions in the sector. The FSSHK has been trying for several months to get a response and organised protest action to put pressure on the government and ministry but had to step up to strike action when the
Health union stages protest over 2022 budget
The FSSHK health workers’ trade union staged a protest outside the prime minister’s office on 8 November to highlight the situation facing workers in the sector. The union wants to ensure that the 2022 budget recognises the efforts and sacrifices made by health workers and the challenges they face in terms of pay and the rising cost of living.
Public sector workers strike over new pay legislation
Central and local government workers have joined teachers and health workers in strike action against government plans to reform the public sector pay system. New legislation is set to establish a more unified and consistent pay structure across the public services but most groups of workers are unhappy about the proposals. Health workers were among the first to take action at the end of last year.
Healthworkers strike for better pay
The healthworkers' union organised a two-day strike on 27-28 December, calling for better pay. With doctors on around EUR 600 a month, the union underlined the need for decent pay to stop workers leaving the service to find better paid jobs in other sectors with less stress. Emergency services were maintained during the action which the health union said it would repeat if the government failed to respond.