Environment/Climate Change, Central government
Responding to the challenge of climate change
Climate change, the largest single threat to current and future generations, is posing fundamental challenges for public services and public service workers. In recent years, we have seen extreme weather events, flooding and forest fires for example, leading to loss of life and widespread damage and destruction of buildings and infrastructure. Our members across many services have been part of the immediate and longer term response – in emergency and rescue services, energy and water, local and regional government. EPSU has been working hard to influence policies at global and European level aimed at decarbonising our economies and calling for a shift away from growth at all costs. It is essential that we achieve a more sustainable society is achieved through a just transition whereby no one is left behind.
This briefing, produced for EPSU's 2019 Congress, sets out the federation's recent activity on climate change and current priorities. EPSU has published research focusing on some of the key issues and policy developments including its position on the EU's Green Deal, the failure of energy liberalisation to address climate change and an analysis of action on climate change adaptation.
Legal challenges launched against militarisation of forestry workers
(November 2016) Thousands of workers in the forestry service have launched legal actions opposing their loss of rights resulting from the militarisation of the service. The trade unions are combining this with their continuing campaign against the change. They argue that 7000 workers will lose their civilian status and full trade union rights. But the unions are also concerned about the impact on services as a result of the underminging of the wealth of expertise and professionalism that guarantees environmental and food safety.
Government threat to 30% of public sector jobs
(November 2016) EPSU has written a letter to the prime minister of Armenia to protest at plans to cut up to 30% of jobs in the public services. The letter also criticises the government for failing to carry out any consultation with trade unions on the planned restructuring. EPSU argues that the planned cuts will not resolve the economic problems facing the country and calls on the government to consult with all stakeholders.
Paris Climate Agreement enters into force – More needs to be done on Just Transition says EPSU
(4 November 2016) With governments representing 55% of global CO2 emissions having now committed to the Paris Climate Agreement it enters into force 4 November 2016. The governments that signed
New collective agreement in state sector
(October 2016) The ST trade union has negotiated a new collective agreement covering around 100000 workers in the state sector. It provides for pay increases of 2.2% in the year to 30 September 2017. There are other important elements regarding working conditions including action to deal with stress and violence at work and special measures to provide support for overworked managers.
Prison union protests over staffing and overtime
(October 2016) The SNLP union representing prison staff has been organising a series of protests over serious staffing shortages and very high levels of uncompensated overtime. The prison service needs around 8000 extra staff and the union warns that this not only raises serious health and safety issues but undermines attempts at rehabilitation.
Unions back workers in Chambers of Commerce
(October 2016) The three main confederations - CGIL, CSIL and UIL - jointly organised a national demonstration on 30 September which was well supported by employees of Chambers of Commerce from around the country. The publicly run system is set to be restructured (see epsucob@NEWS 10) and the unions are campaigning to defend the jobs and the employment rights of the workers affected.
Agreement over minimum service during strikes for forestry workers
(September 2016) Trade unions have negotiated a minimum service provision in the case of strike action by forestry workers. This is an important step to maintain the current rights of this group of workers that is facing militarisation and the loss of the right to strike through transfer to the carabineri police service. Trade unions are continuing to fight this transfer both through union campaigning and legal action.