Italy

The Fp-Cgil, Cisl-FP and Uil-Fpl public service federations are ready to mobilise their members unless the management at the Misercordie non-profit health and social service provider responds to their main demands. The unions want a resumption of negotiations on the collective agreement which hasn’t been renewed since 2012. They argue that workers deserve a new agreement in the light of all the sacrifices made to cope with the pandemic. The unions are also calling for clarification of the state of the organisation in the light of the resignation of top management and press reports of budgetary

The strike across public health and administration on 9 December has led to an important breakthrough with meetings between public service union federation leaders and ministers. The unions underlined the need for an emergency recruitment plan to improve service quality and address the problems created by a 15-year freeze on recruitment. The unions also want to see action to reduce precarious employment and to boost skills and training. Along with a strengthening of safety protocols the unions are also looking at negotiating pay improvements in new collective agreements.

Four energy trade union in France organised another day of action on 17 December in protest at what they see as major threats to the sector, such as the “Hercule” restructuring plans at EDF, and its public service mission. FNME-CGT, CFE-CGC Énergies, FO Énergie et Mines and FCE-CFDT are concerned that key decisions about the sector are being taken without proper consultation both with the unions and in parliament. Meanwhile, the Filctem-Cgil, Flaei-Cisl and Uiltec energy unions in Italy achieved a significant victory in the ENEL company following a campaign of industrial action. The unions

The Fp-Cgil, Cisl-FP, Uil-Fpl and Uil-Pa public service federations are mobilising for the national strike on 9 December. The unions say that years of recruitment freezes have created staff shortages and mean that public services need around 500000 extra workers. The unions are also calling for action to increase permanent employment with around 170000 workers on precarious contracts. Health and safety are also vital with unions wanting action on personal protective equipment, reduced workloads and measures to tackle harassment. Finally, the federations are calling for a renewal of the

The ETUC has highlighted strike action by 600000 cleaners across Italy as part of its campaign to pressure the European Commission not to delay publishing draft proposals on pay transparency. The cleaners were striking over the failure of the employers in the sector to negotiate a collective agreement, seven years after the last one expired. With women dominating the low-paid cleaning workforce there is a major case to be made for action on pay equality along with proper recognition of their skills and the risks they have been taking during the current pandemic. ETUC (EN)

The Cgil, Cisl and Uil Pa public service federations have declared a one-day strike on 9 December covering public health, and local, regional and central government. New collective agreements are due to be negotiated across these sectors but the unions argue that the government has failed to guarantee funding to cover any negotiated improvements. They also say that there is no commitment from the government to ensure safety at work, to increase employment or to tackle precarious work. Fp-Cgil (IT)

Three trade unions (CGT, FP-CGIL and PCS) representing workers in cultural services in France, Italy and the UK have come together to highlight the urgent need for action to support the sector and tackle poor pay and employment conditions. They argue that the sector has been particularly hard hit by measures to tackle the pandemic and these have been intensified because of the extent of outsourcing and precarious employment. The unions are calling for a strengthening of public culture services, decent and secure employment conditions and action to stop privatisation and outsourcing. CGT (EN

The public service federations Fp Cgil, Cisl Fp and Uil Pa are set to mobilise their members in central government in response to a government decree issued on 19 October which undermines the role of the trade unions in collective bargaining and in dealing with issues such as on smart working and innovation in public services. The unions argue that the decree fails to address the impact of years of underinvestment in central government in relation to technological and organisational innovation as well as training. It will mean a increased management discretion and a reduced role for trade

The employer organisations in private healthcare - Aris and Aiop - have finally ratified the sector agreement covering 100000 workers. After three years of negotiations an agreement was finalised in June but the employers suddenly stepped back from ratification. Following demonstrations and a national strike on 16 September along with pressure from the health minister and regional authorities, Aris and Aiop confirmed that they would ratify the agreement. This is the first renewal for 14 years. The unions have said that they will ensure that the agreement is fully implemented company by company

The three public service federations - Fp Cgil, Cisl Fp and Uil Fpl - reported fantastic levels of support for the national strike in the private health care sector. In many facilities all workers not providing minimum services joined the strike action. This shows the level of determination of workers to secure the first new collective agreement for 14 years. The Aris and Aiop employer organisations refused to ratify the agreement in June after three years of negotiations and after initially indicated their backing for the deal. The negotiations cover around 100000 workers.

The Fp Cgil, Cisl Fp and Uil Fpl public service federations have called a national strike in private health care for 16 September. This is the latest step in their campaign to put pressure on the Aiop and Aris employer organisations to sign the sector agreement that was initially agreed on 10 June after three years of negotiations. Despite endorsements from the Ministry of Health and the regional authorities that play a key role in funding the sector, the employers refused to ratify the agreement saying there were not enough guarantees. The strike follows action on 31 August when the unions

The Fp Cgil, Cisl Fp and Uil Fpl public service federations are continuing their actions in protest at the failure of the Aiop and Aris employer organisations to ratify the agreement covering 100000 workers in private healthcare. After lengthy negotiations the agreement - the first for 14 years - was finalised in June but then the employers refused to ratify it. A national demonstration on 5 August was followed on 24 August by protests across the country in front of regional authorities that provide some of the funding for private care and on 31 August there will be demonstrations in front of