Public service strike for pay rise and to defend pay structure

The SINTAP public services union and other unions in the FESAP federation are taking strike action on 30 May in protest at government plans to change the career structure for workers in a range of state inspectorates. These cover inspectors dealing with social security, working conditions, national resources and other services. The unions argue that the changes will leave some workers worse off, looking at as much as 10 years without a promotion or pay increase. They say it will hamper career development, making it almost impossible to reach the highest grades. The unions' view is that it

Members of the Fórsa public services union who work as hospital pharmacists have voted with a majority of 94% for strike action on 16 February. The union said that a range of measures had been proposed, including new senior posts and a new grading structure that have all been developed to improve and modernise hospital pharmacy services, and bring them in line with international best practice. These, have, however been rejected by the Department for Public Spending and Reform despite the potential for savings of €55m. The pay changes would particularly affect the lower end of the pay scale and

The CITUB confederation organised a national demonstration on 27 October calling for a 100 BGN (50 EUR) pay rise for all workers. The protest will also focus on the public services with the proposed budget for 2018 allowing for only a 5% pay increase while unions representing health and social service and other public services are calling for a 10% increase. Another slogan of the demonstration is protection of workers' rights as the government is planning to cut entitlement related to job security and sick pay.EPSU sent a solidarity message.