2014 December epsucob@NEWS 21

The CGT-FNME and FO-FNEM energy federations are planning strikes and other action on 29 January in protest at the law on energy transition. This follows an initial day of action on 4 November. The unions argue that while the law appears to have good intentions in relation to green energy, it conceals further steps towards liberalising the sector with the threat to jobs and pay and conditions that this would involve. [Read more at > CGT-FNME (FR)->http://www.fnme-cgt.fr/pages/communique.php?id=320] [And on the 4 November action at > CGT-FNME (FR)->http://www.fnme-cgt.fr/pages/blank-width.php?id

After difficult negotiations and warning strikes services union ver.di has secured a new agreement covering the 36000 employees of the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (workers' welfare) organisation in the North Rhine Westalia region. The organisation provides a range of services including running homes and day centres for children and the elderly. The agreement runs until 30 November 2016 and there will be three pay increases: 2.4% (1 January 2015), 1.7% (1 August 2015) and 1.6% (1 August 2016). There will also be lump sum payment of €275 for middle and lower paid workers. All employees will get 30 days'

The International Labour Organisation's (ILO) annual report on wages provide important data on the recent trade of very low wage growth. The ILO is concerned not only about the impact of these trends on workers' living standards and income inequality but also on the global economy and the threat of deflation taking hold in some parts of the world. It also warns against policies that aim to reduce wages to make exports more competitive as they threaten a downward wage spiral and so would be self-defeating. Sandra Polaski, the ILO’s Deputy Director-General for Policy, argues for a comprehensive

The ver.di services union has negotiated a new deal with the RWE energy company covering its 25000 workers. Along with a job security agreement that runs to the end of 2018, workers will get a €1200 lump sum to cover the period between 1 January and 30 June 2015. On 1 July 2015 there will be a 2.3% increase to pay rates and this agreement will run to 31 December 2016. Apprentices will also see a comparable increase in pay while their lump sum will be €400. Ver.di sees this as a good deal in the face of the challenging situation in the German energy industry. [Read more at > ver.di (DE)->http:/

Police staff were set to strike on 22 December and take further action in January in protest at the 1% pay rise offered by employers. These workers have seen their purchasing power fall by 13% since 2010. The three unions involved, Unison, Unite and GMB are arguing for a 3% increase or a flat-rate rise of £500 (€00) whichever is greater. The staff cover a wide range of roles such as 999 call takers, fingerprint experts, financial investigators, crime analysts, enquiry desk officers, trainers and many others. Negotiations with employers will now resume. [Read more at > Unison->http://www.unison

The CGIL and UIL trade union confederations organised a general strike on 12 December in protest at government plans to weaken employment legislation. The unions are calling for a proper debate over the so-called Jobs Act. Earlier in the month the CISL-FP federation organised a public sector-wide strike against government cuts and the continuing freeze on public sector bargaining. [Read more at > Fp-Cgil (IT)->http://www.fpcgil.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/30035] [And at > Uil-Pa (IT)->http://www.uilpa.it/informazione-circolari/2014/2272-scioperogenerale-video-il-servizio-di

The STAL local government union is planning a series of actions in early 2015 in protest at further austerity measures and to defend the 35-hour week. The union reports that pay cuts of 2.8%-8% are foreseen for those on more than €1500 a month with those below facing a pay freeze that has lasted since 2009. Another 12000 jobs will also be cut from public administration. Public sector unions have managed to negotiated over 530 local agreements to retain the 35-hour week but the struggle is now to get these legally recognised. So far only 30 have been formally published. The union protest will

Public service unions took to the streets on 6 December with a clear message demanding a 5% pay increase or HUF 10000 (€32). It has been six years since the last salary increase, leaving public sector workers 30% worse off in real terms. The government’s proposed budget for 2015 clearly shows that it is not considering a change in policy. The unions are calling for proper social dialogue and for a staged increase in wages over the next three years just to recoup the decline in purchasing power since 2008. [Read more at > KDSZSZ (HU)->http://kkdsz.hu/?p=2044] [And at > EPSU->http://www.epsu.org

The vida and GPA-djp trade unions have negotiated a new collective agreement for the 100000 workers in the private health and social services sector. There will be a 2.03% increase on pay and all allowances and other payments. In addition, a higher increase at the bottom of the pay scale will mean a minimum wage of €1500 for the sector. Different arrangements for different regions are also now phased out (with the exception of childcare assistants) meaning that the agreement provides uniform pay and conditions across the country. [Read more at > vida (DE)->http://www.vida.at/servlet

In response to speculation about pay cuts and worsening employment conditions, state sector union Pardia has made it clear that cross-sector bargaining would be unacceptable on this basis. With an election due next spring, Pardia wants to see what the government programme will say about working life, the public sector, the position of state employees and any changes affecting the position of employees. For Pardia there is recognition that non-pay issues are increasingly important and that negotiations could focus on improvements in working lives. [Read more at > Pardia (EN)->http://www.pardia

Firefighters in England took another 24 hours of strike action on 9-10 December in order to protect their pension rights. The FBU firefighters' union is concerned that government proposals will force firefighters to continue working longer or risk losing their pension entitlement. Firefighters in Scotland and Wales did not take strike action because the devolved governments have indicated their willingness to make the kinds of changes that have been called for by the union. [Read more at > FBU->http://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2014/12/firefighters-complete-24-hours-strike-march-thousands-support

The three trade union confederations organised a strongly supported general strike on 15 December. The action came following the massive national demonstration in November and regional strikes on 1 and 8 December. The unions are protesting at the austerity measures proposed by the government including an increase in the retirement age, cuts to social benefits and freezes of public sector pay. [Read solidarity message at > EPSU->http://www.epsu.org/a/11005] [Read more at > FGTB (FR)->http://www.fgtb.be/web/guest/home-fr] [And more at > ABVV (FR)->http://www.fgtb.be/web/guest/home-nl] [And more

Unions and employers in the private electricity sector have had a first exchange with the second round of negotiations due in early January. While the employers have highlighted the continuing difficult economic situation the unions have focused on high dividends paid to shareholders and the high levels of productivity and performance delivered by the workforce. The unions are looking for a real pay increase plus increases to other payments and allowances. They are also calling for renewal of working group discussions relating to salary structures as well as working time, including shift work

In a joint letter to the social affairs ministry, union federations and confederations have expressed a wide range of major concerns about a new draft labour code. They argue it fails to provide adequate protection for employees and is missing some basic key principles such as the right to paid employment and equal pay for the work of equal value. They also point out that there are no norms in the draft Labour Code determining the legal status of the trade unions and that it is also missing rules to regulate collective labour disputes and conflicts.