Central government

After weeks of negotiations and a tense third round of collective bargaining, talks for the 2.5 million federal and local public service workers in Germany have collapsed, with unions blaming employers for refusing to reach a deal. The collapse of negotiations follows growing frustration among public service workers over stagnant wages, rising inflation, and increasing workloads. Ver.di demanded a substantial wage increase, including a social component to support lower-income workers, as well as improvements in partial retirement and a more flexible working time. However, employers rejected

Central government workers in Finland have launched industrial action for the first time in nearly four decades after collective agreement negotiations collapsed. The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors (JHL) , Trade Union Pro , and the Negotiation Organisation for Public Sector Professionals (JUKO) have imposed bans on overtime, shift swaps, and the accrual of flex hours, effective from 19 March and continuing until further notice. The dispute follows the Office for the Government as Employer (VTML) halting negotiations on 7 March after offering a 6.3% pay rise—well below the

Wage negotiations between Norway’s major trade union confederations , LO and YS , and the employer organisation NHO have both ended without agreement. The talks will now move to mediation with the National Mediator on 31 March. If no agreement is reached by midnight on 1 April, a large-scale strike could begin on 2 April, affecting up to 220,000 workers. While LO and YS negotiate separately, both have raised similar demands for real wage growth, fair distribution of wage increases, and higher general wage adjustments rather than company-specific increases. NHO, representing employers, insists

The strike of Slovenia’s 112 emergency call operators has now entered its second year. These workers handle all emergency calls to the 112 number, directing requests for medical, fire, police, and rescue services. Operators at the Information Centre and all 13 regional centres began striking on 19 February 2024, demanding equal treatment with dispatchers in healthcare and fire services. Despite a revision of the salary system, they remain classified in lower pay grades than their counterparts in emergency services. The 112 emergency number is a vital public service, available 24/7 across the

The Trade Union of Administration and Judiciary of Montenegro (SUPCG) launched a series of protests after the government failed to respond to their demands for improved pay, housing support, and fair labour laws. Despite submitting their demands to Prime Minister Milojko Spajić on 7 February 2025, no negotiations were initiated by the 20 February deadline. The first protest is scheduled for 6 March in front of the government building, with further demonstrations planned until their demands are met. Key demands include signing an annex to the housing cooperative agreement, a 10% increase in job

On 27 February, Italian magistrates staged a nationwide strike to oppose a proposed constitutional reform that would separate the careers of judges and public prosecutors. The National Association of Magistrates (ANM) reported over 80% participation, reflecting strong resistance within the judiciary. The reform seeks to establish distinct career paths for judges and prosecutors, with the government arguing this would enhance judicial impartiality. However, magistrates warn that the change could undermine judicial independence, making prosecutors more vulnerable to political pressure and

Belgium’s unions FGTB/ABVV and CSC/ACV have announced a general strike for 31 March to protest against the Federal Government’s austerity measures. The unions are calling for the protection of automatic wage indexation, better pensions, and improved working conditions. They argue that the proposed policies undermine workers’ rights and social protections. The announcement follows a mass protest in Brussels on 13 February, where around 100,000 people demonstrated against cuts affecting public services, unemployment benefits, early retirement, and pensions. FGTB/ABVV and CSC/ACV have denounced

A new Collective Agreement has been signed at Bulgaria's National Statistical Institute (NSI), taking effect from 1 January 2025. The agreement, signed by the NSI President, representatives of the Trade Union of Administrative Employees "Podkrepa," and directors of territorial statistical offices, aim to improve working conditions for union members. The agreements strengthen workers' involvement in workplace decisions by requiring that internal regulations be coordinated with the union. Key improvements include increased paid annual leave and union participation in drafting internal wage

The government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed an agreement with the Trade Union of Civil Servants and Employees in State Administration, Judicial Authorities, and Public Institutions (SUFBIH) on the base salary and coefficient for wage calculation. The agreement follows ongoing negotiations between the government and the union, aligning with the Law on Salaries and Allowances in Government Bodies of FBiH and the Collective Agreement for Civil Servants. The union had justified its demand for a new base salary through an analysis of the rising cost of living and wage

Belgian unions FGTB-ACCG , CSC-ACV , and CGSLB-ACLVB are calling for a national demonstration in Brussels on 13 February to defend public services and purchasing power. Organised by a united trade union front, the mobilisation comes in response to proposed austerity measures, cuts to pensions, and threats to automatic wage indexation. Unions warn that political leaders are pushing for 14 billion euros in cuts to public services, along with a further 3 billion in pension savings. Other proposed measures include restricting early retirement (RCC), making end-of-career arrangements less

Industrial action is escalating in the UK as PCS members at the Metropolitan Police and HM Land Registry take a stand against restrictive policies and workplace treatment, reflecting broader tensions around working conditions and work from home. Over 300 civilian staff at the Metropolitan Police will undertake a two-week strike from 4 to 17 February 2025. Initially planning to refuse compliance with a new hybrid working policy requiring between 60% and 100% in-office attendance, they escalated their action after management threatened to withhold a full day’s pay for any day they worked

The Trade Union of the Health Service and Social Care of the Czech Republic , along with other unions, has welcomed changes to salary scales for civil servants, effective from 1 January 2025. State employees will see an increase of 1,400 CZK in their salary scales, following agreements reached between the government and unions in October 2024. The negotiations were part of broader efforts by trade unions, including the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS), which had previously declared a strike alert to press for salary increases. This agreement was described as a fair

On 13 January 2025, public workers across Turkey, organised by KESK , participated in a nationwide protest to voice their discontent with rising poverty, inflation, and inadequate wage policies. The action was supported by other unions, including ASİM-SEN, BASK, HÜR SEN, and Birleşik Kamu-İş, in a united call for economic justice and workers’ rights. The unions demanded a living wage above the poverty line, the inclusion of additional payments in retirement incomes, and rental assistance to address soaring housing costs. They also called for free childcare facilities at workplaces, secure

On 17 January 2025, unions SIDEPOL and PUBLISIND organised a national protest in Bucharest against salary cuts and austerity measures affecting police and prison service workers. Over 20,000 police officers, prison guards, border guards, and military reservists gathered to demand fair pay and better working conditions. The protest follows the implementation of the "Trenulet Ordinance" which reduces weekend pay(SDSL) by 15-20%, reversing hard-won pay increases achieved a decade ago. Union representatives also highlighted broader issues of understaffing and unpaid overtime. In response to the