Energy
Mar. 29, 2018
Members of EPSU Standing Committee on Utilities support Danish unions, 22 March 2018
Standing committee comes together to fight for public ownership, the democratic control of utilities and the right to water
During the standing committee on Utilities, which took place on 22 March, several key issues were addressed by EPSU and its affiliates.
Mar. 19, 2018
Long-term struggle and warning strikes deliver pay increases
Members of the ver.di services union have secured pay increases following action in both the health and energy sectors. After more than a year in dispute, the union has managed to negotiate a new pay deal for workers at the CFM facilities management company. Around 1600 low paid workers will benefit from a basic pay rate of EUR 11 an hour which will mean increases worth 10%-16%. The union will be building on the solidarity maintained over the course of the dispute in preparation for next year's bargaining round which will begin no later than 1 July. In the energy sector 4500 employees at EON took part in warning strikes that helped to deliver a 3% pay increase and EUR 1100 lump sum for around 10000 workers. Apprentices will also get an EUR 85 increase and EUR 500 lump sum. There will also be two extra days' leave for ver.di members only.
Feb. 22, 2018
The EU Parliament has included important measures to fight #EnergyPoverty but ruled out concrete measures to protect the most vulnerable
This week the European Parliament voted its position on the electricity market directive, missing the last opportunity to include a comprehensive definition of energy poverty in the new 2030 EU Energy Package.
Feb. 21, 2018
Energy workers take action
Energy workers in France and Germany have taken or are planning action over pay and privatisation. In Germany, warning strikes have helped deliver a 3% pay increase for 17000 private sector energy workers in the Baden-Württemberg region. There will also be a EUR 70 increase for apprentices and additional holiday pay specifically for ver.di members. Energy workers in France took action on 8 February as part of a long-running protest over the fall in purchasing power in the sector with a demand to re-open pay negotiations. A strike is also planned for 15 March in opposition to proposals to sell off hydro-electric power concessions.
Jan. 24, 2018
Energy unions secure 3% pay rise and other improvements
The GPA-djp and PRO-GE energy unions have negotiated a new collective agreement covering around 20000 workers in the private energy sector. The 3% pay rise also covers apprentices and shift allowances while other allowances increase by 2.5%. The agreement includes several other provisions such as protection of special payments and holiday entitlement during paternity leave. The trade unions will also work with the employers to look at women's employment and representation in the sector. There will be working groups on other issues, including working time, and agreement to carry out audits of diversity issues.
Jan. 10, 2018
European commission’s will to phase out regulated prices tempered by Council of the EU
In the last few months the European Commission, with its fourth energy package « clean energy for all Europeans » has called for the end of regulated tariffs for all domestic users within five years.
Nov. 30, 2017
Energy union organises action over pay
The FNME-CGT energy union mobilised workers for strike action across the sector on 29-30 November in protest at the employers' pay offer. Following a pay freeze, the combination of increased social security payments and inflation mean that workers have seen a 2.8% fall in purchasing power. The union says that companies are paying out high dividends while continuing to impose austerity on employees.
Nov. 29, 2017
