07-2007 epsucob@NEWS 10 April 2007

The latest issue of the ETUC's collective bargaining bulletin exposes the holes in the European Central Bank's relentless emphasis on the need for moderation in wage policy. The ETUC points out that for all intents and purposes moderate wage increases have been the norm across Europe for nearly 10 years. Even with some indication of higher increases in some countries, the ETUC argues that there is little prospect of inflationary wage developments. The bulletin then goes on to point out that the ECB's focus on wages and the claimed threat of inflationary wage demands in countries like Germany

The major new public sector agreement with the Federal and Communal authorities came into effect in October 2005 with the promise of a new, simpler and discrimination-free pay structure. However, for a number of reasons, implementation of the new system has been delayed. It was planned that negotiations over the pay structure would be mostly complete by the autumn of 2006, allowing for a phase of testing and then full introduction by January 2007. Ver.di's negotiating committee is now calling on the federal and local authorities to work with its task group to resolve the outstanding questions

A number of institutes across Europe have come together to provide an alternative view of economic policy. The European Labour Network on Economic Policy (ELNEP) will focus in particular on issues related to the labour market, employment, wages and income distribution. Wherever appropriate it will take a European, rather than national, perspective. ELNEP will challenge what has become almost a mainstream view of the importance of the supply side and the centrality of markets to the detriment of social policy. The network includes the ETUI-RHES European trade union institute plus a number of

Key elements to the revised local government pension scheme have been laid before parliament although they won't come into effect until next year. The trade unions in the sector are pleased that the final salary pension arrangements are retained and that there will be an improved accrual rate of 1/60 per year of service compared to the current 1/80. Unmarried partners will also be entitled to benefits from the scheme. However, some matters still need to be resolved including the special provisions that allowed some workers to retire at 60 on an unreduced pension. [Read more at > UNISON (EN)-

A new report from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions provides an overview of developments in industrial relations at the European level. The report investigates both the cross-sectoral and sectoral social dialogue and the various types of agreements, guidelines and outputs from these formal processes. It raises in particular the question of how and to what extent these agreements are implemented and highlights the relationship between national and European industrial relations. The report also notes the varying degrees of progress made at sectoral

The government has proposed extending rights for working parents, currently enjoyed in the civil service, right across the public sector. The minimum legal provision of three months' leave and time off for emergencies was much improved by negotiation in the civil service where 12 months of parental leave is available and civil servants have the right to work shorter hours until their children reach the age of 12. Private sector employers have reacted angrily to the proposals fearing that the government might extend them beyond the public sector. [Read more at > EIRO (EN)->http://www.eurofound