Waste, Environment/Climate Change, Transparency & Corruption
Asbestos agreement a step forward for firefighters, emergency services and waste workers but more and better legislation is needed
EPSU welcomes the deal that lowers the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) to either 10,000 fibres/m3 including thin fibres or 2,000 fibres/m3 excluding thin fibres and includes a review clause for further lowering by 2028.
Unions take action in waste sector for higher pay
Unions organising in the waste sector are taking on both local councils and private contractors in campaigns to secure better pay offers from employers. Action by Unite members at Welwyn and Hatfield delivered a 13.5% pay increase when the employer, private contractor Urbaser, agreed to increase its original offer of 8%. Meanwhile, several other disputes continue with one of the longest running in the North West where Unite members have been taking action since May in their dispute with Cumberland Council. In Selby in North Yorkshire Unite members are also taking on Urbaser and have voted for
Firefighters demand action as heatwaves and droughts threaten to overwhelm Europe’s fire services
In the midst of a heatwave and droughts across Europe, firefighters from fifteen countries representing unions affiliated to the European Public Service Unions (EPSU) came together in Stockholm.
New ETUI publication - Beyond economic growth: The role of trade unions in the transition to well-being
A further contribution to the ‘beyond growth’ or ‘post-growth’ debates, the recent ETUI working paper sets out the case against the pursuit of undifferentiated economic growth and advocates substantial changes to European economies.
EPSU asks government of Republic of Srpska (Bosnia-Herzegovina) to withdraw amendments that criminalises critique
Following discussion in the EPSU Constituency meeting for Central Europe and Western Balkan, we sent a letter to the government of the republic of Srpska to withdraw amendments to the criminal code.
Industrial action across waste, infrastructure and health sectors
Members of the STAL trade union working in the waste sector have been taking action over pay, collective bargaining rights and precarious employment. The workers at FCC Environment were set to strike on 7-11 April while those employed by ERSUC were due to take action on 10-11 April. Action over pay was also planned for 6-9 April by STAL members employed by the PSML company that maintains the Parque de Sintra site. Members of the SINTAP union were due to take industrial action at the Infraestruturas road and rail maintenance company on 6 April over pay, collective bargaining and staffing while