Italy, EPSU Collective Bargaining News

On 1 December the Cisl-Fp public service federation is calling its members out on strike across the public sector in protest at the continuing block on collective bargaining and government plans for public sector reforms. On 12 December the Cgil and Uil confederations have called a general strike also in protest at government economic policy and plans for labour and public sector reform. [Read more at > Cisl-Fp (IT)->http://www.cisl.it/Sito.nsf/le-notizie/2014/11/21/sciopero-pubblico-impiego-primo-dicembre-lettera-furlan-volantino?opendocument] [And at > Cgil-Fp (IT)->http://www.fpcgil.it/flex

The CGIL and UIL trade union confederations organised a general strike on 12 December in protest at government plans to weaken employment legislation. The unions are calling for a proper debate over the so-called Jobs Act. Earlier in the month the CISL-FP federation organised a public sector-wide strike against government cuts and the continuing freeze on public sector bargaining. [Read more at > Fp-Cgil (IT)->http://www.fpcgil.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/30035] [And at > Uil-Pa (IT)->http://www.uilpa.it/informazione-circolari/2014/2272-scioperogenerale-video-il-servizio-di

The three public sector federations, Fp-Cgil, Cisl-Fp and Uil-Fpl, met on 25 February to discuss how to respond to government plans for reforms to the provincial administration. The unions are very concerned about the lack of clarity, content and timing of any changes and the impact that these will have on workers. The unions are looking for a commitment to consult with unions and for guarantees on workers' conditions and quality of services to citizens. The three unions are planning a series of actions and mobilisations throughout March, culminating with a national demonstration on 31 March.

The public service federations - Fp-Cgil, Cisl-Fp, Uil-Pa and Uil-Fpl - organised a national demonstration in Rome on 11 April in protest at the impact of restructuring in public administration at provincial and metropolitan level. The unions argue that massive cuts in funding are leading to a decline in services while restructuring is leading to lots of temporary workers as well as permanent staff losing their jobs. The unions want to see proper negotiations to improve services and reduce waste and that will make full use of the skilled professional working in the sector. [Read more at > Fp

The public services federations - Fp-Cgil, Cisl-Fp and Uil-Pa - are very concerned about government plans to reform and merge various labour inspection services. The unions plan to mobilise workers in the Ministry of Labour and the INPS and INAIL social security and health and safety institutes. The federations argue that effective inspection services are needed more than ever to ensure proper protection at work and to tackle undeclared work. The unions plan to mobilise MPs and regional governors and along with a national protest in Rome there will be actions on 8, 15, 22 and 29 May

Following the protests on 11 April, the three main public service federations - Fp-Cgil, Cisl-Fp and Uil-Fpl - organised another day of action on 27 May in defence of provincial government workers' jobs, pay and conditions and the services they provide. The unions organised rallies, marches and flash mobs across the country raising awareness about the threats posed by the reorganisation of provincial government services and the need for a government commitment to protect services and jobs. [Read more at > Fp-Cgil (IT)->http://www.fpcgil.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/31376] [And

The public sector trade union federations - Fp-Cgil Cisl-Fp Uil-Fpl and Uil-Pa - have called on the government to lift its freeze on collective bargaining in the public sector in advance of a high court ruling expected on 23 June. There has been no collective bargaining for six years and so public sector workers have seen their pay frozen and eroded by inflation over that period which has had major implications for demand in the economy. The unions argue that what was initially presented as an emergency measures threatens to become something more permanent and they will be organising major

The four public service federations - Fp Cgil, Cisl Fp, Pa Uil and Uil Fpl - are organising three large assemblies of workers at the beginning of July in Milan on the 1st, Rome on the 2nd and in Bari on 3rd. These will mark the start of protests over the continuing freeze on collective bargaining in the public sector. The unions want to get bargaining back on track and make it clear to the government that a proper reform of public administration will only be possible with full consultation of the trade unions. [Read more at > Fp-Cgil (IT)->http://www.fpcgil.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT

The general secretaries of the four main public service federations - Fp-Cgil, Cisl-Fp, Uil-Fpl and Uil-Pa - are calling on members of the parliamentary employment committee to recommend a re-opening of collective bargaining in the public sector. The committee is considering draft legislation from the government that includes a proposal to extend the freeze on bargaining that was introduced in 2011. The unions argue that it is unfair to impose further economic hardship on workers who have already seen their pay eroded by inflation over the last three years. [Read more at > Fp-Cgil (IT)->http:/

Over 100,000 health professionals and managerial staff will take four hours' of strike action on 22 July. They also plan other forms of industrial action in protest at cutbacks in the health sector. The action involves federations of the three main trade union confederations - CGIL, CSIL and UIL - as well as more than 15 other trade unions. As well as calling for more funding for the service the unions' demands include demands on collective agreements, trade union rights, career progression, youth employment and staffing levels. [Read more at > FP CGIL (IT)->http://www.fpcgil.it/flex/cm/pages

The FP-CGIL, CISL-FP, UIL-Fp and UIL-Pa public service federations have signed an agreement with the Ministry of Economy and Finance over how to deal with reorganisation of work and services with a view to cutting waste. The aim is to target unproductive expenditure and unjustifiable costs and to take a more rational approach to savings rather than an across-the-board policy on cuts. The agreement provides for full consultation with trade unions over any reorganisations and restructuring in relation to the impact on staff and quality of services. [Read more at > FP CGIL (IT)->http://www.fpcgil

The general secretaries of the three main public service federations FP-CGIL, CISL-FP and UIL FP/FPL met with the health minister to discuss contracts, skills, training, professional status and job security as essential elements of a health service for all citizens. The minister indicated her willingness to make progress on these issues. Apart from the need to renew agreements that have not been renegotiated since before 2009, the unions underline the need for continuity of care and for citizens to be at the centre of the system and that these require the strengthening of the professional