Information & consultation, Restructuring
Union steps up action against proposed dismissal law
The JHL public services union stepped up its industrial action against proposed changes in dismissal rights with a 48-hour strike by around 10000 members who work in cleaning, property maintenance and food service sectors and sports and culture services. The strike is part of widespread trade union industrial action against plans to reduce dismissal protection for workers in small companies. The unions argue that not only is the change unfair, creating two-tier labour law but also threatens to impact women workers more than men. Trade unions are also angry that the government is trying to
The European Pillar of Broken promises, Time for a Social Europe – One Year on - Slow Progress and disappointment
On the one year anniversary of the EU pillar of social rights, EPSU publishes an informative booklet and leaflet on information and consultation rights – “The European Pillar of Broken promises, Time for a Social Europe”.
European trade unions meet EU Commissioner over Information, Consultation and Participation Rights
More is needed to support and enforce the rights of European Works Councils on Information and Consultation Rights, was one of the messages of a delegation of trade union leaders that met with EU Commissioner for Social affairs and Employment.
Social dialogue in public services : ILO's new paper!
To mark the 40th anniversary of Convention No.151, the ILO has published a new paper based on a desk review of social dialogue in public services as well as of the EU social dialogue committees in central governments and in hospitals.
EPSU waits for European Commission response to legal challenge
EPSU has launched a legal case against the European Commission and is now waiting for the first formal response. EPSU has taken the case because the Commission refused to submit to the European Council the information and consultation agreement signed in the Central Government Administrations social dialogue in December 2015. Despite signing the European Pillar of Social Rights and making positive statements about social dialogue, the Commission has failed to act to provide important rights to 9.8 million central government workers that are already enjoyed in the private sector. The complaint
Health union tackles ambulance restructuring problems
The LVSADA health union has managed to negotiate an agreement to tackle problems arising from a restructuring of the ambulance service. A reduction of night shifts meant an increase in waiting times particularly in the Latgale, Vidzeme and Zemgale regions, creating problems for staff and difficulties for patients. The union formally announced a dispute with the ambulance service management, highlighting the constitutional commitment to emergency medical care as a human right. However, it was possible to resolve the situation before the union took any action.
Slow progress in energy network sector negotiations
Negotiations over a new collective agreement to cover energy network companies have yet to make progress 10 months after they first got underway. A trade union demonstration outside the venue for the negotiations highlighted the main demands for a 3.5% pay increase, measures to reduce temporary work and other excessive flexible working and an initiative on sustainable working time. The working time initiative is aimed at older workers and would offer them the chance to work 80% of their normal hours for 90% of normal pay while protecting 100% of their pension entitlement.
Public Service Unions to take European Commission to court for social dialogue U-turn
The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) is holding a press conference to announce that it is taking the European Commission to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for breaching article 155 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It will file the complaint on Tuesday 15 May.
Public Service Unions to take European Commission to court for social dialogue U-turn
The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) is to take the European Commission to the European Union General Court on 15 May 2018 for failing to implement a Social Partners’ agreement by legislation.