Lithuania, Belgium
Prison unions protest over threat to right to strike
The CSC/ACV and CGSP/ACOD unions representing prison workers have taken strike action in protest at government plans to legislate on limiting their right to strike. EPSU sent a solidarity message to the unions highlighting the deteriorating conditions and overcrowding in prisons across the country and the importance of having the right to strike to highlight the need for urgent action to address these problems and reverse the impact of austerity. Rather than attack trade union rights, EPSU argues that the federal government should open negotiations to tackle the critical situation facing the
North East European constituency addresses Congress, gender equality and European integration
The changes to the labour codes, reform of social protection and health systems and the experience with privatization were some of the issues addressed by the union leaders of the constituency.
Major breakthrough as unions sign agreement for social service workers
Public service unions have made a major breakthrough after three years of negotiations following the signing of a sector collective agreement covering workers in social services. Around 1000 social workers, social worker assistants and home care employees will see a range of improvements to pay and conditions, including a 4.3% rise in the minimum coefficient used to calculate salaries along with further increases for specific groups of workers. There are other measures to compensate workers covering for absent colleagues and for using private cars. The agreement will only apply to union
Hospital social partners - "A sound mind in a sound body - taking care of those who take care of us"
Social Partner’s Conference on Occupational Safety and Health focusing on prevention and reduction of MSD and PSRS@W - A sound mind in a sound body - Taking care of those who take care of us
Massive demonstration against pension reforms
The three main trade union confederations organised a national demonstration in Brussels on 16 May in protest at government plans to reform the pensions system. The estimated 70000-strong march was nearly three times the size of a similar demonstration in December, showing the strength of opposition to government policy which includes raising the pension age from 65 to 67. Some of the key demands include a minimum pension that delivers an adequate standard of living, gradual alignment of private and public sector pensions and proper account taken of arduous jobs and sickness and injury in
Civil service unions strike over attacks on conditions
The three main public service federations took strike action on 30 April in protest at proposals for significant reductions to civil service employment rights and benefits. In a major cost-cutting reform plan the government wants to employ more workers on contracts, including temporary contracts, and reduce the number of civil servants on statutory conditions to a minimum. It is also looking to cut holiday entitlement and reduce certain sickness and pension benefits.
Employers and trade unions renew commitment to ethical cross-border recruitment and retention policies
The European sectoral social partners for the hospital/health care sector, EPSU and HOSPEEM, renewed their commitment to promote decent recruitment and working conditions for migrant workers, in hospitals and health care facilities.
Unions take action over prison staffing levels and pay
Prison staff unions in Belgium, France and Spain have been taking or are planning industrial action or demonstrations over staffing and pay. In France, the unions have raised concerns about prison overcrowding, violence against staff, the need for a significant increase in prison officer numbers and improvements to pay and conditions. After failing to get a satisfactory response from the justice ministry, the unions are calling for an extension of the action across the country. In Belgium, the issue is the failure of the government to adhere to a 2016 agreement on staffing levels and further
HOSPEEM-EPSU Survey Assessment Implementation Sharps Injuries Directive 2010/32/EU & Problems & Action Needed
Brussels, 15 December 2017Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for the Hospital SectorFollow up on the Directive 2010/32/EU on the prevention from sharps injuries in the hospital and healthcare sectorIn light of
Unions strike over regional government's failure to abide by agreement
The CGSP and CSC public service federations in Wallonia organised strike action on 30 November over the failure of the regional government to respect agreements that it has signed. The unions had been warning from early September that urgent action was required. The issues involve a commitment to permanent status for contract workers, shorter working time, filling of vacant posts to ensure service quality and revaluing low salaries for workers on the level B pay grade.
Report from Standing Committee Health and Social Services
The meeting primarily dealt with EPSU's current and future priority issues and with the topics "safe and adequate staffing levels", "prevention and reduction of musculoskeletal disorders and psycho-social risks and stress", "continuing professional development" and "regulated professions".
Report from Working Group Social Services
The meeting primarily dealt with the topics "Challenges and impacts of the provision of social services by private providers", "New forms/models of care and their effects on the provision of services, their quality and the workforce", "EU-level standardisation in health and elderly care services" and "Promotion of social dialogue in the field of social services".