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ETUC expects at least 35,000 for pay demonstration in Ljubljana
The ETUC is planning for around 35,000 workers to support its demonstration over pay in Slovenia on 5 April. The demonstration is part of the ETUC's current campaign on fair pay and will highlight shrinking purchasing power, wage moderation and pay inequalities across Europe. The demonstration will coincide with the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Slovenia. Read more at > ETUC (EN) And in French at > ETUC
State sector unions secure significant pay increase
State sector trade union members are currently being balloted over a new three-year agreement worth 12.8%. The major part (8.17%.) will be spent on general wage increases while 2.2% has been set aside as “pool funding” for other improvements. In addition to this, the regulator mechanism (which ensures a parallel wage development between the public and private sector) and local wage developments will account for 2.23% of the increase. A new element is compensation to state employees for the growth in fringe/staff benefits in the private sector. This is set at 0.2% and means that the wage
Collective bargaining newsletter launched
The ETUI-REHS research institute launched a new monthly collective bargaining newsletter in February as part of the ETUC's strategy to improve the flow of information between its affiliated organisations. The first two issues can be found on the ETUI-REHS website. Read more at > ETUI-REHS (EN)
Second two-day strike in major government department
Thousands of members of the PCS civil service union supported the second two-day strike in the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) on 17 and 18 March. The DWP is one of the biggest government departments and PCS members are taking action in protest at an imposed three-year pay agreement that would see salaries increase by only 1% a year and leave 40% of workers without a pay increase at all in 2008. The union is involved in disputes in several other departments and agencies where the employers have offered pay increases below the rate of inflation. [Read more at > PCS (EN)->http://www.pcs
Unions condemn minister's scare tactics
The all-out strike in the Ministry of Justice continues but trade unions are angry that the ministry is trying to intimidate workers by announcing that it plans to investigate possible breaches of the rules that require a minimum level of service during strike action. Trade unions argue that they have scrupulously kept to the minimum service requirements. The strike is over significant differentials in pay between current Ministry of Justice employees and those transferred to the regions. [Read more at > FSAP-CCOO (ES)->http://www.fsap.ccoo.es/webfsap/menu.do?Actualidad:Sindical:Actualidad
Union criticises minister for absence of social dialogue
In the lead up to a national demonstration over reforms to pay and the career structure in public administration, the STAL public sector union criticised the minister for local government for failing to meet with trade unions to discuss the problems facing the sector. The union says that over a three-year period the minister has met with unions only twice and has displayed an arrogant attitude towards the unions' attempts to negotiate over these issues. Read more at > STAL (PT)
Unions recommend new collective agreement in social work sector
After five months of intensive negotiations a new agreement in the social work sector is being recommended by trade unions to their members. The agreement runs from 1 November 2007 to 1 March 2010 and will include two main pay increases of 3% from 1 March 2008 and 2.5% from 1 March 2009. A change in the pay structure will also mean that many workers covered by the agreement will get a 0.5% increase from 1 January 2009. There will be a €125 lump sum payment in February 2010. The agreement includes changes to working hours arrangements for older workers. Those aged 58 can reduce their hours by
Union attacks 2.2% pay offer
In response to the local government unions' demands for a 6% pay increase (with a minimum increase of 50p (€0.65) per hour to help the lower paid), employers in the sector have offered 2.2%, an offer seen as a “slap in the face” by the trade unions. Read more at > UNISON (EN) And at > Unite (EN) And at > GMB (EN)
Electricity distribution workers strike over two-tier workforce
Electricity distribution workers in the Wallonia region have been involved in two weeks' of industrial action involving working to rule, in protest at pay differentials in the industry. Unions say that new pay rates introduced since 2002 mean that many new employees are paid 30%-40% less than other workers who were taken on before 2002. Although the action has been called off and negotiations started, unions haven't ruled out further action. [Read more at > Lesoir (FR)->http://archives.lesoir.be/t-20080310-00F6Z8.html?query=electrabel+greve&andor=and&when=-1&sort=datedesc] [And at > Lesoir (FR
Ambulance workers plan strike over privatisation
Members of the SIPTU and ATGWU trade unions are set to strike on 7 April in protest at a decision by the Health Services Executive (HSE) to sign contracts with three private ambulance companies. The unions argue that the HSE decision is in conflict with an agreement it signed with the unions that would prevent any moves to privatisation without the express consent of the trade unions. Read more at > SIPTU (EN)
38-month agreement covering University Medical Centres
The 60,000 employees covered by the University Medical Centres collective agreement will see their pay increase in three stages between now and 2010. The 2008 increase of 2.1% will be followed by two increases of 1.955 in March 2009 and March 2010. There will also be increases in the end-of-year payments worth 1% in 2008, 1.5% in 2009 and 1.55% in 2010. The agreement runs from 1 January 2008 to 1 March 2011. Read more at > NU91 (NL)
Energy sector workers get 2.79% for 2008
Workers in the EDP and REN energy companies will see their pay rise by at least 2.79% this year, although this is slightly below the latest increase in consumer prices (2.9%). They will also receive a €165 lump sum payment as long as they have at least six months' service. Read more at > SINDEL (PT)
Early retirement rules implemented for firefighters
After lengthy campaigning, negotiations and the legislative process, new retirement rules have come into effect allowing firefighters to retire earlier than 65. The new rules will be introduced in stages with the minimum age set at 63 for 2008 and then 61 for 2009. The minimum age from then on will be 60 or 59 if firefighters have at least 35 years of contributions. Read more at > FSP-UGT (ES) And at > FSAP-CCOO (ES)
Federations call for day of strikes and demonstrations over pensions
The CGT and FSU public service trade union federations have called a day of action and strikes on 29 March in defence of the pensions system including retaining the right to retire at 60 and the right to early retirement in difficult or dangerous occupations. The unions also point out that the government's failure to address the decline in purchasing power in the public sector will also have an impact on the level of pensions. Read more at > CGT (FR) And at > FSU (FR)