Equality

Nov. 02, 2018
2018 November epsucob@NEWS 21

Negotiations resume following equal pay strike

U.K. U.K.

The solidly supported two-day strike by around 8000 local government workers in Glasgow was successful in getting the council back to the negotiating table. The strike was over the council's failure to deal with longstanding demands for equal pay for a wide range of low-paid women workers in care, catering, cleaning, school support and other services. The strike on 23-24 October was called by the GMB and UNISON trade unions and UNISON now reports that initial talks with the council have been positive and constructive. EPSU, PSI and many affiliates sent messages of support.
Oct. 25, 2018
2018 October epsucob@NEWS 20

Women strike over equal pay

Iceland Iceland

Women workers across the country walked out of their workplaces at 14.55 on 24 October to highlight pay inequality as well as raising issues about sexual harassment and violence. The latest statistics show the gender pay gap in Iceland is still 26% and so in a normal 9 to 5 day this is the equivalent of women only being paid up to 14.55. The strike is a longstanding tradition in the country and supported by EPSU's affiliate, BSRB, the confederation of municipal and state employees.
Oct. 25, 2018
2018 October epsucob@NEWS 20

Union steps up action against proposed dismissal law

Finland Finland

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 change employment legislation without any negotiation or consultation with the union movement.
Oct. 24, 2018
2018 October epsucob@NEWS 20

Massive strike for equal pay

U.K. U.K.

Over 8000 workers employed by Glasgow City Council in Scotland took strike action on 23-24 October to put pressure on their employer to deliver equal pay. The dispute dates back as far as 2006 when a new pay scheme was supposed to end to pay inequality based on gender. Instead, its implementation introduced new discriminatory measures. The action involved women in a wide range of jobs, including school administration workers, learning support workers in schools, nursery workers, home carers, cleaners and catering workers.
Sep. 14, 2018
2018 September epsucob@NEWS 18

Two reports analyse extension of collective agreements and social dialogue in public services

Europe Europe

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has published two reports on collective bargaining and social dialogue. A working paper on social dialogue in public services was published to mark the 40th anniversary of ILO Convention 151 on labour relations in the public services. It covers three of the European social dialogue committees in which EPSU is involved along with examples of how social dialogue works in Italy, Denmark and the Czech and Slovak Republics. The ILO's report on extension of collective agreements provides evidence on the important role that this process can play in reducing inequality and countering unfair competition by providing a level playing field at sector level.
Aug. 02, 2018
2018 August epsucob@NEWS 15

Survey contrasts workers' views in care and construction sectors

Sweden Sweden

Municipal workers' union Kommunal is highlighting a new report that contrasts workers' views of pay and conditions in the female-dominated care sector with those of workers in the male-dominated construction sector. In a wide range of assessments the views of care workers are much more negative than their counterparts in construction. While more than half of care workers have thought about changing jobs this applies to only 38% in construction while only 33% think that staffing levels are adequate in the care sector compared to 60% in construction. Half of care workers wouldn't recommend their career compared only 25% in construction while 80% of care workers say their employers don't do enough to raise the status of the profession compared to 25% in construction. The report's findings are being discussed within the union which will take them up with employers and politicians.
Aug. 02, 2018
2018 August epsucob@NEWS 15

Call for global action on investment in care and decent work

Global

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has produced a new report arguing for a doubling of investment in the care sector to prevent a global care crisis. It says that investment on this scale could create 269 million new jobs by 2030 and provide a major boost to women's employment while addressing massive gender inequality in unpaid care. The ILO estimates that over 600 million women want paid employment but are prevented from entering the labour market because of their caring responsibilities. The report underlines the need for a "high road" to increase care provision which means tackling the low pay and poor working conditions that characterise the sector.
Jul. 20, 2018
2018 July epsucob@NEWS 14

Unions mobilise for equality demonstration

Switzerland Switzerland

The vpod/ssp public services trade union is part of a massive mobilisation among trade unions and women's group for a national demonstration on equality in Bern on 22 September. With a gender pay gap of 20% and a gender pensions gap of 37% the unions are calling for urgent action to tackle inequality and discrimination, involving legal measures and strong sanctions to force employers to address the problem. The ssp/vpod will also be highlighting the undervaluation of "women's" jobs, particularly those in the health and social services sectors.