21-2007 epsucob@NEWS 28 November 2007
Nov. 28, 2007
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Unions build for 30 November national strike
The FESAP and FNSFP public service federations have united in a call for a national strike across the whole of public administration for 30 November. With negotiations over pay having broken down the unions are calling for proper collective bargaining, for pay increases to take account of the loss of purchasing power in recent years and for a defence of employment rights in the public sector in the face of government reforms. Read more at > SINTAP (PT) And at > FNSFP (PT)
Nov. 28, 2007
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Unions unite in massive demonstration over pay
The six union confederations in Slovenia organised a demonstration over pay, arguing that workers deserve higher pay increases in the light of rising company profits and higher inflation. An estimated 70,000 joined the march - the biggest demonstration in Slovenia for 15 years. The unions say that strike action could follow in January if the employers don't increase their pay offer. [Read more at > Slovenia government news site (EN)->http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publications/slovenia-news/5663/5675/] [And at > eux news site (EN)->http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=17870] [And for
Nov. 28, 2007
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ETUC plans pay campaign and European Parliament supports action on minimum wages
Earlier this month the ETUC Collective Bargaining Committee convened a special sub-committee to discuss how to campaign on decent pay and minimum wages. The ETUC Congress in Seville agreed that the Confederation should launch such a campaign and the sub-committee, which meets again in January, is debating what the focus of the campaign should be. Its recommendations will go to the ETUC Collective Bargaining Committee in April which will then decide what proposals it will submit to the ETUC Executive Committee. Last month MEPs adopted a resolution on poverty and social inclusion that included a
Nov. 28, 2007
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Unions warn of further action
The eight public sector union federations argue that their day of strikes and demonstrations on 20 November was a real success and has put pressure on the government to respond to their demands on pay, public sector employment rights and quality public services. They have demanded a response from the government before the end of November and are threatening further action in December if the government fails to respond. Read joint union statement at > CGT (FR)
Nov. 28, 2007
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Work and pensions civil servants vote for strike action
Members of the PCS civil service union in the Department for Work and Pensions have voted for strike action over pay in response to employer proposals for a three-year pay deal worth only 1% a year. The agreement would also mean that around 40% of the Department's workers wouldn't get any pay increase in 2008. This dispute is separate from the national civil service dispute over pay and jobs about which the government and the union are currently negotiating. Read more at > PCS (EN)
Nov. 28, 2007
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Nurses' mass resignations avoided as union signs deal
Our collective bargaining contact in TEHY, the nurses' and healthcare professionals' union sent us this report: The Executive Council of TEHY - unanimously approved a negotiated pay deal on Monday the 19 November. The agreement was reached late on Sunday 18 November by a mediation board in which both negotiation parties - the employer and TEHY were represented. Also the employer, The Commission for Local Authority Employers (KT) has approved the contract. This averted the industrial action in which about 12,000 nurses and other health care professionals threatened to start a nationwide mass
Nov. 28, 2007
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Employers and unions agree 21% increase in minimum wage
The minimum wage in Estonia is set to rise to 4,350 kroons (€278) in January 2008 following agreement between the EAKL trade union confederation and the employers. This represents an increase of 21% on the current minimum wage of 3,600 kroons a month. Although this is well ahead of inflation (8.5% in the 12 months to October) it is only just in line with increases in average earnings (20%-22%). This means that the minimum wage will remain at just under 40% of average earnings even after this significant increase. [Read more at > Baltic Times (EN)->http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/19353
Nov. 28, 2007
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Ministry of Justice strike gets wide support
The public service federations, FSAP-CCOO and FSP-UGT, were pleased at the high turnout in support of the strike in the Ministry of Justice on 15 November. The unions are protesting about an unjustified gap in pay of €100-€250 a month between Ministry of Justice employees and workers doing the same job but who have been transferred to employment with local authorities. [Read more at > FSAP-CCOO (ES)->http://www.fsap.ccoo.es/webfsap/menu.do?Actualidad:Sindical:Actualidad:11358] [And at > FSP-UGT->http://www.fspugt.es/index.php/mod.noticias/mem.detalle/idnoticia.2120/idimagen./relcategoria.7]
Nov. 28, 2007
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Public sector unions submit claim for 4% increase
In the third round of negotiations with the government the public sector unions have submitted a pay claim for 4%. They argue that this is fully justified as it takes account of inflation, economic growth and productivity increases. The unions were angry that the government didn't even make a counter offer. Read more at > GDG (DE)
Nov. 28, 2007
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Employers stall over new pay structure
Public services union ver.di is calling on the federal and local government employers to get on with negotiating a new pay structure. The unions and employers are due to meet at the end of the month for fresh talks following a meeting in September where the employers raised a series of questions rather than taking steps towards a new agreement. Ver.di also wants assurances from the employers that certain pay allowances will continue to be paid as their payment was only guaranteed up to the end of October in the current collective agreement. [Read more at > ver.di (DE)->https://tarif-oed.verdi
Nov. 28, 2007
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Unions push for better deal for community workers
The IMPACT and SIPTU unions are calling for better pay and conditions for community workers. The unions argue that it is unsatisfactory for these organisations, many providing important social services, to try to survive on a system of annual grants. They say that the vital role these organisations play should be recognised and that the contribution made by their predominantly female workforce should be properly rewarded with decent pay and pensions. Read more at > IMPACT (EN)
Nov. 28, 2007
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New two-year agreement in provincial government
The public service unions ABVAKABO and CNV Publieke Zaak have negotiated a new collective agreement covering 13,000 employees of provincial government. Salaries rise by 0.7% backdated to 1 June 2007, 1.5% from 1 June 2008 and 0.4% from 1 January 2009. There are also increases to the end-of-year payments which rise from 4.5% to 6.8% of salary in 2007 and from 6.8% to 8.3% in 2008. Read more at > ABVAKABO (NL) And at > CNV Publieke Zaak (NL)