Belgium
The SETCA/BBTK union organised three demonstrations on 28 October outside the headquarters of employer organisations in the non-profit health and social care sector. The union is protesting against the employers’ refusal to renew the agreement on early retirement. SETCA/BBTK points out that health and social care workers have very demanding careers and the early retirement provisions are crucial for the sector.
Read more at > SETCA (FR)
And in Dutch at > BBTK
The CCOO, UGT and PUB union organisations have called a national demonstration of firefighters on 24 May in support of their demands for earlier retirement. The unions have been pushing for earlier retirement for over three years but have yet to secure agreement from the Ministry of Labour and department of social security. Following a meeting on 16 May the unions agreed to continue talks with the government but decided to mobilise for the national demonstration as well. Unions want the right to retire from the age of 55. [Read more at > FSAP-CCOO (ES)->http://www.fsap.ccoo.es/webfsap/menu.do
The three main public sector union federations - FSAP-CCOO, FSP-UGT and CSI-CSIF - organised a national demonstration on 19 December in Madrid to push the government to implement new rules on partial and early retirement. Over 7,000 braved the rain and cold weather to join the march. The unions argue that this is the best way for public services to renew their human resources while still retaining the skills and knowledge of experienced workers. [Read more at > FSAP-CCOO (ES)->http://www.fsap.ccoo.es/webfsap/menu.do?Actualidad:Sindical:Actualidad:12959] [And at > FSP-UGT (ES)->http://www
The CCOO and UGT trade unions have finally secured an agreement from the social security minister that firefighters will be able to retire any time from 59 depending on their contributions record. The unions had been involved in talks over the issue for four years and a demonstration on 24 May was their latest attempt to get the matter resolved. The current retirement age is 65. Read more at > FSAP-CCOO (ES) And at > FSP-UGT (ES)
