Economic Policy, Italy, Belgium
Unions mobilise against government budget proposals
The FP-CGIL, UIL-FPL and UIL-PA public service federations are coordinating strike action on 17 November as part of a series of strikes and protests organised by the CGIL and UIL confederations. The unions are angry about government economic and social policy, the proposed state budget for 2024 and the refusal of the government to consult with unions. The public service strike will be followed by action in other sectors on 20, 24 and 27 November and 1 December. There was also a one-day strike by FP-CGIL and UIL-PA members at the INL National Labour Inspectorate on 30 October. This was part of
Confederation calls national protest over pay, pensions and welfare state
The CGIL trade union confederation is organising a national demonstration in Rome on 7 October calling for a wide range of measures in support of workers and collective bargaining and in defence of the welfare state. CGIL is demanding higher pay and pensions to address the increased cost of living along with action to renew collective agreements and legislation to block the signing of agreements by unrepresentative worker organisations. The confederation is also calling for action to eliminate the gender pay gap and the introduction of a minimum hourly wage. The CGIL’s other demands cover
Mediterranean trade unions on public services, European parliament elections and the extreme-right
The recent elections in several European countries that resulted in gains for extreme-right parties and even brought them into government were discussed at the constituency of the Mediterranean unions.
Confederations mobilise over pay, jobs and public services
The CGIL, CISL and UIL trade union confederations are planning major mobilisations in May to send a clear message to the government and employers that urgent action is needed to deliver higher pay for workers and a shift in other economic and social policies. Along with workplace assemblies there will be large regional events in Naples, Bologna and Milan. The main union demands include protection against inflation for pay and pensions in both public and private sectors, fairer taxation, higher funding for public social and health, action on health and safety, social security reform and
Confederations commit to mobilise against government budget plan
The three main trade union confederations - CGIL, CSIL and UIL - are united in rejecting the government budget which they regard as wrong and short-sighted, failing to provide resources for growth, development and investment. The confederations are committed to mobilise against the plans with a national demonstration planned for later this month. They point out that the budget fails to provide the necessary investment in social infrastructure, particularly in health and education, and with inadequate provisions to cover the renewal of collective agreements for public sector workers and a
National demonstration against austerity
(September 2016) 29 September will see a national demonstration supported by the three main trade unoin confederations as part of their continuing campaign against the austerity measures imposed by the government. The confederations have jointly decided to cancel the planned general strike on 7 October until they have time to react to the delayed government budget in response to which further action may be called. Demonstrations at local and sectoral level are still likely to take place on that date.
Confederations plans series of anti-austerity actions
(May 2016) The three confederations are mobilising for a series of actions over the next few months culminating in a general strike on 7 October, the second anniversary of the centre-right government. The unions are angry about continuing cuts to public services but also to the threat to the 38-hour week. They are calling for more investment in public services and a range of other measures to boost the economy. The first major event will be a joint national demonstration on 24 May in Brussels. Read more at FGTB (FR), ABVV (NL), CSC (FR), ACV (NL), CGSLB (FR), ACLVB (NL)