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Mar. 21, 2019
Working towards a cross-European Coalition for Vaccination
On 4 March 2019, DG SANTE had invited to a first meeting of a "Coalition for Vaccination" in order “to bring together European associations of healthcare workers as well as relevant students' associations in the field, to commit to delivering accurate information to the public.
Mar. 21, 2019
Trade union delegation at the Tripartite Social Summit, 20 March 2019, Brussels
Tripartite Social Summit on eve of the European Council – More investment needed in public services say unions
Speaking on public services the lack of investment was highlighted by the ETUC delegation. This results in staff shortages, in lack of infrastructure.
Mar. 18, 2019
© Can Stock Photo photography33
Working towards a better prevention and protection of those working with hazardous drugs
On 7 March 2019 EPSU participated in a roundtable of more than 40 participants in the European Parliament on the prevention of exposure to hazardous drugs in the healthcare sector in Europe.
Mar. 15, 2019
Unions and students mobilise for 19 March
Four trade union organisations - CGT, FO, FSU and Solidaires - are joining with two student organisations - UNEF and UNL - in a national demonstration and strike action on 19 March focusing on pay, social protection and a range of other key demands. The unions want negotiations across the sectors for a general pay rise along with an increase to the national minimum wage.
Mar. 15, 2019
Union makes series of demands to tackle gender discrimination in health
The health conference of the vpod public service union has called for action to tackle the stress, long working hours, involuntary part-time work and low pay in the sector which is part of the persistent discrimination faced by women workers. The union wants to see a revaluation of pay of health and care jobs to recognise the arduousness and increased responsibilities of many occupations. Vpod is also calling for major improvements to work-life balance, reductions in working time, better shift planning, possibilities for retirement from 60 and provision of necessary training. The union says that urgent action is needed to address staff shortages.
Mar. 15, 2019
Survey shows majority support for action on pay inequality
A new opinion poll shows that 77% of voters think that there should be a political solution to the persistent problem of gender pay inequality. The survey was commissioned by several public service unions working together in the Equal Pay Alliance. They argue that while there has been some success in reducing the gender pay gap, currently at around 13%, it would take another 50 years to achieve equality unless more substantial action is taken. The unions highlight historical reasons for lower pay in sectors dominated by women dating from public sector pay changes in the 1960s. They argue this requires a political commitment to fund changes to pay particularly affecting workers in the health and care sectors.
Mar. 15, 2019
Report highlights pay inequality in civil service linked to gender share in employment
A new report from the PCS civil service union reveals considerable pay inequality across government linked to the proportion of men/women in each department. For example, a civil service executive officer, in a majority male department is paid £3771 (EUR 4415) (13%) more than an executive officer in a majority female department while a civil service administrative officer, in a majority male department is paid £2675 (EUR 3130) (12.6%) more than an executive officer in a majority female department. The union attributes the problem to the delegation of pay negotiations to departmental level and contrasts this to the single pay structures across health and local government.
Mar. 15, 2019
