Energy

Mar. 27, 2019
2019 April epsucob@NEWS 07

Energy union protests over failure to consult

Ukraine Ukraine

At its meeting on 21 March, the central committee of the Nuclear Energy and Industry Workers’ Union (NEIWUU) protested about restructuring being carried out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, where the authority responsible for the zone was taking decisions without consulting the union. The NEIWUU expressed concern about violations of social obligations that are stipulated by the sectoral agreement. The union also gave examples of staff relocations where it had to remind the authority that it had to consult with the union as required by the Labour Code. This was the sixth reform applied to workers in the zone and the NEIWUU says the authority has repeatedly ignored the union. The NEIWUU is also worried about commitments to increase wages and how this will be funded, with concerns that jobs will be cut if no additional funding is secured.
Feb. 27, 2019
2019 March epsucob@NEWS 05

Energy employers' pay offer well below union target

Germany Germany

The first pay offer from the employers in the AVEU regional negotiations covering mainly energy companies is some way off the pay claim submitted by the unions. Services union ver.di is aiming for a 6.1% pay increase over 12 months with a EUR 150 a month increase for trainees. The union conducted a broad consultation of members and there was clear support for a pay rise that compensated for inflation and increased productivity and that would give workers a share of the economic success of companies in the sector. In contrast, the employers have offered a 27-month deal with two increases of 2.1% and a three-month period of no increase but with a lump sum payment.
Jan. 30, 2019
2019 February epsucob@NEWS 03

Unions take action in public services and Veolia

France France

The pay freeze and job cuts in the public sector have prompted action by some unions in February with the CGT taking strike action on the 5th and FO organising a week of action 3-10 February with a national demonstration on the 7th. Their principal demands focus on unfreezing pay, stopping the job cuts but there are also broader demands about the minimum wage and a fairer tax system. Fairness is also one of the factors behind the unions' joint call for strike action across the energy, water and waste company Veolia which employs 50000 workers in France. The CFDT, CFC, CFT and FO are calling for a general pay increase and higher minimum wages at the group's subsidiaries across the country and criticise the company for failing to protect employees' purchasing power and distributing company shares in a way that disproportionately benefits senior management.
Jan. 29, 2019
2019 February epsucob@NEWS 03

Energy workers get 5.6% pay increase

Germany Germany

The fourth round of bargaining at the Uniper energy company ended with the signing of a new two-year agreement backdated to 1 January 2019. The 5000 employees will get an initial increase of 2.4% followed by a further 3.2% in December. Apprentice payments will increase by 15.5%. Energy union ver.di is pleased with the deal which it says would not have been possible without the mobilisation of workers and warning strikes.
Jan. 17, 2019
2019 January epsucob@NEWS 02

Unions push for better pay deal in energy company

Germany Germany

Services and energy union ver.di along with the IGBCE union organised warning strikes on 15 and 16 January in the Uniper energy company to put pressure on the employer to come up with a better pay offer. The unions want a 6.8% pay increase over a 12 month period plus a EUR 160 increase for trainees. So far Uniper has offered only 1.8% in March 2019 and 2.2% in 2020. The unions say this would be effectively a cut in pay in real terms and if the company doesn't improve its offer then all-out strikes would be considered.