Information & consultation, Restructuring
Expert webinar on EPSU case vs the European Commission (T310/18), on social dialogue and social partner agreements
The Universities of Louvain and Brussels are organising a webinar on a ground-breaking European legal case in which EPSU is involved and which will determine the future of the European level social dialogue 16 September.
Energy unions face major fights
Energy unions are facing challenges on several fronts. Leading gas company Centrica has faced major criticism from unions - GMB, UNISON, Unite and Prospect - when it followed up an announcement of 5000 job cuts with a plan to sack and re-hire 20000 staff on worse terms and conditions. The GMB union has already had a consultative ballot which showed 95% support for strike action and so a formal ballot will be undertaken. Meanwhile the GMB members at Northern Gas Networks have voted 98% in favour of industrial action on pay while Unite members at the Drax energy company have been balloted over
ETUC Executive Committee discussed Minimum Wage, Digital Agenda and violation of information and consultation rights
The main debate in the ETUC Executive was about the response of the ETUC to the 2nd consultation of the European Commission on addressing the challenges for fair minimum wages.
Central government social partners meet in Brussels
On 19th November, the Social Dialogue Committee for central and federal government administration -SDC CGA- met in Brussels to discuss the implications of the recent EPSU Vs European Commission court ruling, and to formally adopt a new joint checklist of dos and don’ts on digitalisation and work-life balance, amongst other things.
Energy unions plan further action over EDF restructuring
The four unions representing workers in France's main energy company EDF - FNME-CGT, FNEM-FO, CFE-CGC and CFDT Chimie Energie - are continuing their joint actions in protest against the plans for major restructuring and privatisation of the company. After the widely supported strike action on 19 September, the unions have launched a petition and are planning a further day of strike action on 17 October.
Unions call for social dialogue over new public service legislation
Eight public service trade union federations - CFDT, CFTC, CGT, FA, FO, FSU, SOLIDAIRES and UNSA - have issued a joint statement reiterating their opposition to the new law on transforming public services. The unions wanted to see a universal public service, accessible to all and fully staffed with workers protected by statutes. They also want to retain the key committees that help ensure equal treatment and health and safety. Implementation of the law will require consultation over a wide range of issues but the unions are insistent that there should be a proper process of social dialogue and
Public service unions take European Commission to court for the first time seeking to enforce social dialogue
On 23 May the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) will be before the General Court of the European Union bringing a claim against the European Commission for breaching rules on social dialogue (TFEU article 155.2).