Spain
The FSC-CCOO federation has described as incomprehensible the decision of the government to challenge the re-introduction of the 35-hour week for public sector workers in Andalucia. The union says that the regional government is only restoring workers' rights removed under austerity measures and that the move back to a 35-hour week is important in terms of creating employment.
(July 2016) Public sector workers have won back their right to a 35-hour week. Legislation came into effect earlier this month reversing the increase to 40 hours a week pushed through as part of a range of austerity measures in 2013. Most workers benefit immediately although implementation in some cases may be delayed to ensure continuity of service. Public sector unions have been waging a high-profile campaign against the five-hour increase, negotiating hundreds of local agreements across the public sector to retain the 35-hour week. Read more at CGTP (PT) and UGT (PT).
The vida and GPA-djp private service unions have submitted their main collective bargaining claim to the employers for the health and social care sector that covers 125000 workers. The unions' key demand is for a 35-hour week with no loss of pay. They see this as essential for making the sector more attractive to boost recruitment, tackle staffing shortages and address the excessive workloads and stress that are rife in the sector. The unions also point out that part-time workers will benefit with an effective pay increase of 8.6% as their current hourly rate is based on a 38-hour week and the
The FeSP-UGT and the public service federations of the CCOO confederation have negotiated an agreement with the region of Castilla and Leon that will bring 85000 public sector workers back on to a 35-hour week. This is a long-standing demand of the trade unions since hours were increased as part of austerity measures. The hours reduction should apply from 1 June in health and administration and from 1 September for teachers. The federations will continue to pursue the restoration of other reductions to rights and benefits that were also part of the austerity package.
