Working Time, Digitalisation, Central government
Social partners in Local Government declare "Wealth gains of digitalization have to be distributed fairly among all citizens"
(11 December 2015 - Joint Press Release EPSU-CEMR) While digitalisation can foster more jobs, well-being and improve the lives of many citizens, it impacts directly the local and regional governments
EPSU Response to EC public consultation on eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020
(16 February 2016) EPSU has responded to the European Commission’s official public consultation regarding the next European-eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020. EPSU firmly believes that the development of digital public services
Arbeit (Work) 4.0 About values, solidarity and decent work in a digital age
Digitalisation and increased automation bring many challenges for workers, including in the public services. That is why ver.di has been organising a series of conferences to consider the positive and negative aspects of the new technological revolution recognising that the technological progress is rapid.
Public sector deal delivers on pay and working time
(May 2016) A new agreement covering the public sector provides a 7.5% pay increase for many workers but also higher increases of 10%-15% for some professions. An important element of the agreement is that it can be extended to private and non-profit organisations who provide services to the public sector. The agreement also includes provisions to ensure more full-time work for part-time workers who want it. Read more at Histadrut
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)
Airport workers strike in support of public sector pay claim
Services union ver.di organised a strike of airport workers on 27 April to support the current negotiations covering 2.14 million employees in federal and local government. The union dismissed the employers' offer of a 0.6% pay rise this year (1.2% in 2017 and 2018) as an insult. Ver.di's claim is for a 6% increase in a 12-month deal, along with an extra EUR 100 for trainees. Read more at ver.di (DE).
European Parliament calls for tougher rules on tax avoidance but they’ll need to be tougher still to stop corporate tax dodging
(25 May 2016) The European Parliament has long been an ally of the tax justice movement, pushing for concrete and ambitious measures against the tax dodgers. The Economic and Monetary
Real wage rises for 2m public sector workers
(May 2016) After three rounds of negotiations and a series of warning strikes, public sector unions have agreed a two-year deal covering just over two million workers in national and local government. There will be a 2.4% pay increase this year, backdated to 1 March and a 2.35% next year as of 1 February. There are also increases for apprentices and an extension to the agreement to offer apprentices jobs when they quality. Read more at ver.di (DE)
Union signs deal for rail infrastructure workers
(May 2016) The ST civil service union has negotiated a new agreement covering companies in the rail infrastructure sector. There will be a wage increase of 2.38% along with increases on unsocial hours payments and the agreement runs until 30 April 2017. There are also provisions to increase job security with monitoring of the use of fixed-term contracts, The agreement also includes clearer language on the employer's responsibility for the working environment, covering issues like workloads, overtime and victimization. Read more at ST (SV)