11 epsucob@NEWS 5 June 2006

Public service unions in Spain have welcomed the latest steps in agreeing a new draft statute covering the rights of around 2.5 million public sector workers. The basic statute has set out the main employment rights of public sector workers for over 25 years and for the last two years unions have been negotiating important changes. The new statute will enshrine the right to collective bargaining, include measures to reduce the use of temporary contracts as well as recognising the need for achieving a better work-life balance. Once agreed in parliament the new law should take effect in the

The STAL public administration union has organised a month of action in protest at government plans for the public services and attacks on the rights of public service workers. The union acknowledges that some changes need to be made in public administration but argues for a process of modernisation not destruction. It will organise weekly vigils outside the council of ministers and will distribute publicity material to highlight its arguments among the electorate. [Read more at > STAL->http://www.stal.pt/artigo.asp?id=801] Meanwhile the SINTAP public service union is planning a week of action

The pay element of the national agreement between the Irish social partners has been finalised with workers set to get a 10% pay increase over the next 27 months. Public servants and staff in non-commercial semi-state bodies will get 3% on 1 December 2006, 2% on 1 June 2007, 2.5% on 1 March 2008 and 2.5% on 1 September 2008. Lower paid workers (those on €10.25 an hour or less) will get an extra 0.5%. As before, workers and unions must co-operate with modernisation and change measures to qualify for the increases. [Read more at > IMPACT->http://www.impact.ie/iopen24/pub/newsdesk_info.php

Prison guards and other personnel took three hours of strike action on 18 May in protest at government plans to cut personnel by over 10%. They are particularly concerned about the health and safety implications of the job cuts.

Public sector unions believe there are a number of positive elements in government proposals for major changes in the UK's pensions system. The UK's basic pension provides a very low level of pension for all workers who meet the contributions requirements. The plans will mean that pension increases will be linked to increases in earnings not just prices and the contributions requirements will be reduced to help those who are out of the labour market for long periods. However, the proposals also include an increase in the state pension age from 65 to 66 from 2024, to 67 from 2034 and 68 from

EPSU affiliates discussed a number of key issues at a pensions working group on 1 June in Luxembourg. These included individual rights to pensions portability (a draft directive is currently being discussed in the European Parliament), gender equality and socially responsible investment. The working group agreed that it was important that pensions developments in the public services across Europe should be monitored more closely and share across EPSU affiliates. Pensions issues will get more coverage in epsucob@NEWS. Please send us news of developments in your sector. And please help us extend