2014 June epsucob@NEWS 11
Unions plan action over pay
Public sector unions across the UK are protesting, balloting for strike action and planning campaigns over pay. A nationwide day of protest over pay in the National Health Service took place on 5 June while unions are balloting for strike action in local government. Action is also being planned in central government where a consultative ballot is taking place and a day of action planned for 10 July. [Read more at > PCS civil service->http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/campaigns/national-campaigns/pay/index.cfm] [And at > UNISON health->http://www.unison.org.uk/news/nhs-members-protest-against-continuing
Employers undermining ILO over right to strike?
A new report from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Germany looks at recent developments at the International Labour Organisation (ILO). At the 2012 International Labour Conference (ILC), employers blocked the adoption and discussion of a list of countries accused of the most serious violations of international labour and social standards according to the annual report by the Committee of Experts. It appears that employers are disputing whether ILO standards, in particular Convention no. 87, can be interpreted as providing a right to strike. The International Trade Union Confederation has
Survey reveals continuing pay freezes in public sector
The EIRO industrial relations observatory has published its annual review of pay developments across Europe. At a cross-sector level EIRO indicates that trends in nominal pay are slightly down although with inflation also on a downward path this has meant some very slight improvements in real wages. In contrast, the survey's focus on the civil service found 15 countries were there was a continuing pay freeze, one more than recorded last year. Read more at > EIRO (EN)
Unions unite in one-day municipal strike in Rome
Four trade unions - Fp-Cgil, Cisl-FP, Uil-Fpl and CSA - came together on 6 June to organise a strike across Rome's municipal services. The action was in protest at threats to cut additional payments and plans for a reorganisation of services. Despite the scale of action the mayor of Rome has made no attempt to resolve the dispute even attacking the unions and claimed that they are not representative of workers. The unions are combining their action on pay to campaign among citizens about the impact on services of the planned reorganisation. [Read more at > Fp-Cgil (IT)->http://www.fpcgil.it
Firefighters take further strike action over pensions
The FBU firefighters' union has called a 24-hour strike on 12 and a seven-hour stoppage on 21 June in protest at the government's decision to break off negotiations and make unilateral changes to the firefighters' pension scheme. The union will also call for a ban on overtime in between the strikes which will be the 13th and 14th in the dispute over the pension changes that could see firefighters lose pension rights if they are unable to maintain operational fitness until the age of 60. Read more at > FBU
Union calls for more regulation on quality jobs and services
The Kommunal municipal workers' union has called for more regulation to protect pay, jobs, working conditions and the quality of service in health and social services. The union is concerned about the increasing role played by for-profit private sector organisations in the sector and that it is often workers' pay and conditions as well as the quality of service that suffer in order to ensure profitability in the companies. Kommunal says that clearer rules on standards should be applied in the procurement process to protect the quality and sustainability of services. [Read more at > Kommunal
Unions criticise government's block on additional pay for more and better work
Unions organising in the state sector - JHL, JUKO and Pardia - have criticised new guidelines from the government that call for a halt to any work reorganisation that would lead to more demanding tasks and, thus, higher salaries. The unions say that the decision goes against collective agreements that say that salaries must rise when work becomes more demanding and personal competence grows. They also argue that the policy contradicts government aims to reward skills and performance. [Read more at > JHL (EN)->http://www.jhl.fi/portal/en/jhl_info/news/?bid=4283] [And at > Pardia (EN)->http:/
Unions oppose labour law changes
Unions are unhappy about a number of changes to labour law being proposed by the government. The reforms include reductions to severance pay but of particular concern to the unions is the fact that the changes will no longer include provisions on extending collective agreements. This was something the union had supported and they believe that the new government has withdrawn these provisions under pressure from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Read more at > Tanjug news agency (EN)
Agreement on jobs at major hospital
After lengthy negotiations the ver.di services union has secured an agreement to increase nursing jobs at the Charité hospital group in Berlin. The agreement also includes a commitment to set up a joint committee with the employer to look at health issues for employees and in particular areas where workloads are excessive. Eighty workers will be taken on and ver.di sees this as a successful short-term agreement and a first step towards a longer term agreement on appropriate staffing levels. [Read more at > ver.di (DE)->http://gesundheit-soziales.verdi.de/ueber-uns/nachrichten/++co++4ebe6af8
ETUC reacts to Commission recommendations on wages
The European Commission issued is country specific recommendations on 2 June with 11 countries being urged to reform their wage setting, minimum wage or collective bargaining system in some way. In a statement from its collective bargaining committee the ETUC has again called on the Commission to recognise the important role that wages play in the economy and, particularly in the current climate, to acknowledge that a boost in wages across Europe would contribute to an economic recovery and reduce the threat of deflation. [Read more at > ETUC (EN)->http://www.etuc.org/statement-etuc-collective
Latest collective bargaining news from ETUI
The May issue of the ETUI's collective bargaining newsletter is available and includes over 70 articles on more than 30 countries across Europe. Covering all sectors, the newsletter includes information on wage trends, strikes and disputes as well as some wider economic information. Read more at > ETUI (EN)
Strike action avoided in local government
A ew agreement has been negotiated covering local government avoiding the prospect of strike action. The overall result, including an element negotiated at local level, is a rise of 3.3% with a minimum increase of NOK 8500 (€1050). There are also improvements to pensions and a requirement on employers to inform employees of the impact on pay and conditions of potential outsourcing. Read more at > Fagforbundet (NO)
Unions welcome agreement in hospital sector
Negotiations with the Spekter employers' organisation representing hospitals have produced a new collective agreement with a 3.5% pay increase along with a minimum guaranteed annual increase of NOK 10000 (€1230). The agreement also includes improved rates for nurses on training and a requirement on employers to inform employees of the possible consequences of contracting-out. Read more at > Fagforbundet (NO)
Important holiday pay ruling for union
The GPA-DJP services union has won an important court ruling clarifying that overtime should be included in the calculation of holiday and Christmas pay. The case was taken by the union in collaboration with the works council at the Caritas Socialis social care organisation. The outcome benefits not just the 850 employees at Caritas Socialis but around 120000 employees who are covered by the social care sector agreement. [Read more at > GPA-DJP (DE)->http://www.gpa-djp.at/cms/A03/A03_3.8.a/1342549957235/ueber-uns/presseservice/sozialwirtschaft-hoeheres-urlaubs-und-weihnachtsgeld-bei