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Psychiatric hospital workers across Bulgaria, represented by the Federation of Health Trade Unions at CITUB , have launched protests demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. On 17th March, doctors, nurses, and support workers at the state psychiatric hospital in Sevlievo began a three-day action, calling for a 50% wage increase and recognition of their work as second category due to its complexity and risks. Workers in psychiatric hospitals in Pazardzhik and Tsarev Brod have joined the protests, with further action planned in Karlukovo on 18th March. The union demands include a

SIPTU members employed by Bord na Móna (BNM) Recycling, Ireland’s last publicly owned domestic waste collection service, have served notice of a two-day strike on 2nd and 3rd April. The strike follows concerns over the planned privatisation of the company and the lack of legal guarantees protecting workers' terms and conditions. The union argues that management has moved to sell the service without securing the necessary legal protections for workers, including a Registered Employment Agreement. SIPTU warns that the sale, if completed under the current conditions, could lead to worsening

A new report from the UK-based Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR ) argues that fair pay agreements (FPAs) could help improve wages, working conditions, and workforce stability in specific sectors. While the report focuses on the UK, its findings have broader relevance for countries with weak sectoral bargaining structures. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has renewed its call for sectoral collective bargaining on pay in response to the report. FPAs are sector-wide agreements that set minimum pay and working conditions through negotiations between trade unions and

Since 7 March, workers at the Belgrade City Center for Social Work , organised by the Trade Union of Health and Social Care Workers "Nezavisnost," have been striking against understaffing, excessive workloads, and low wages. W orkers are calling for urgent measures to improve staffing levels, reduce excessive workloads, and introduce fair wages that reflect the complexity and responsibility of their jobs. They also demand an end to temporary contracts, Instead of addressing these concerns, employers have responded with salary cuts and threats of dismissal. Further escalating tensions, Zoran

After weeks of negotiations and a tense third round of collective bargaining, talks for the 2.5 million federal and local public service workers in Germany have collapsed, with unions blaming employers for refusing to reach a deal. The collapse of negotiations follows growing frustration among public service workers over stagnant wages, rising inflation, and increasing workloads. Ver.di demanded a substantial wage increase, including a social component to support lower-income workers, as well as improvements in partial retirement and a more flexible working time. However, employers rejected

Central government workers in Finland have launched industrial action for the first time in nearly four decades after collective agreement negotiations collapsed. The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors (JHL) , Trade Union Pro , and the Negotiation Organisation for Public Sector Professionals (JUKO) have imposed bans on overtime, shift swaps, and the accrual of flex hours, effective from 19 March and continuing until further notice. The dispute follows the Office for the Government as Employer (VTML) halting negotiations on 7 March after offering a 6.3% pay rise—well below the

Wage negotiations between Norway’s major trade union confederations , LO and YS , and the employer organisation NHO have both ended without agreement. The talks will now move to mediation with the National Mediator on 31 March. If no agreement is reached by midnight on 1 April, a large-scale strike could begin on 2 April, affecting up to 220,000 workers. While LO and YS negotiate separately, both have raised similar demands for real wage growth, fair distribution of wage increases, and higher general wage adjustments rather than company-specific increases. NHO, representing employers, insists

Unions in the Czech Republic have won a major victory after the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Czech Parliament, rejected a proposed amendment to the Labour Code that would have allowed employers to fire workers without providing a reason. The proposal, pushed by deputies from ODS (Civic Democratic Party) and TOP 09, both right-wing political parties advocating for economic liberalism and free-market policies, was widely condemned as an attack on workers' rights and job security. ČMKOS warned that the amendment would have created an atmosphere of fear in workplaces, undermined

The strike of Slovenia’s 112 emergency call operators has now entered its second year. These workers handle all emergency calls to the 112 number, directing requests for medical, fire, police, and rescue services. Operators at the Information Centre and all 13 regional centres began striking on 19 February 2024, demanding equal treatment with dispatchers in healthcare and fire services. Despite a revision of the salary system, they remain classified in lower pay grades than their counterparts in emergency services. The 112 emergency number is a vital public service, available 24/7 across the

On 20 March, nurses from Lisbon’s health centres will strike and hold a rally at the Ministry of Health at 10:00 am. Organised by SEP , the strike demands the payment of all retroactive wages since 2018, the completion of competitions for managerial and specialist positions, and harmonisation of pay and resources across units. Nurses are also calling for the implementation of the “career accelerator” and urgent hiring to meet service needs. The union argues that the integration of Lisbon’s health centres into new local health units (ULS) in early 2024 has worsened administrative and financial

Turkish trade unions have launched several industrial actions in response to unfair dismissals, union-busting, and deteriorating working conditions across multiple sectors. On 6 March, Hizmet-iş protested against the local municipality’s dismissal of 14 union members and pressure on 1,300 others to resign from the union. The dispute follows failed collective bargaining talks with Altındağ Municipality’s which refused to honour a previous agreement and attempted to roll back wage increases. Union representatives condemned the employer’s actions and vowed to resist until all dismissed workers