November 1999
- 28 Nov 1999
Austria: Autumn bargaining round underway<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, new collective agreements were concluded in several Austrian industrial sectors, covering about half a million employees. So far in the 1999-2000 bargaining round, the anticipated wage moderation has held, but difficult negotiations are still ahead.
- 28 Nov 1999
Austria: Further working time flexibility in commerce back on agenda<#PDF_LINK>Increasing pressure for further liberalisation of opening hours and working time in the commerce sector, primarily concerning Sunday working, has again placed working time flexibility on the agenda of the Austrian social partners in autumn 1999.
- 28 Nov 1999
Austria: Austrian Trade Union Federation holds 14th federal congress<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) held its 14th federal congress, under the slogan of "security in the process of change". Debates centred on the challenge of developing alternatives to a deregulation of working conditions inspired by "neo-liberal" economic thinking. ÖGB's core policy demands are a 35-hour working week and the harmonisation of the legal status of blue- and white-collar workers.
- 28 Nov 1999
Belgium: Rosetta plan launched to boost youth employment<#PDF_LINK>In September 1999, the Belgian Minister for Employment, Laurette Onkelinx, revealed the broad lines of a "youth employment plan." Without prior consultation of the social partners, she announced her intention to provide all young people with a job no later than six months after they have completed their studies. The announcement elicited harsh criticism from employers, irritated the trade unions and set off a flurry of proposals for amendment. In November, the government finally settled for a modified scheme that tries not to offend the various regional and social sensibilities.
- 28 Nov 1999
Belgium: Unprecedented unrest in banking sector<#PDF_LINK>Late September 1999 saw the first general strike in the Belgian banking sector since 1972. The one-day strike called by the sector's trade unions was followed by personnel in the banks' central headquarters and in over half of branch offices across the country. The action was the climax of discontent that has been building since August 1999 in the context of major upheavals in Belgian banking. In November, the positions of employers and unions were no closer together, and the remainder of the year should be decisive.
- 28 Nov 1999
Germany: Vodafone's hostile takeover bid for Mannesmann highlights debate on the German capitalist model<#PDF_LINK>In November 1999, a hostile takeover bid from the British mobile phone group Vodafone AirTouch for Mannesmann led to a broad debate on the future of the German model of capitalism. German trade unions and the Mannesmann works councils strongly rejected Vodafone's bid, in order to defend the German culture of corporate governance which is based on strong employee involvement and co-determination. With the employees' viewpoint supported by almost all major political parties in Germany, Vodafone reacted to the criticism by saying that, after a takeover of Mannesmann, it would fully accept the German system of industrial relations and corporate governance.
- 28 Nov 1999
Germany: Union demands statutory minimum wage<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, the German Food and Restaurant Workers' Union (NGG) renewed its demand for the introduction of a statutory minimum wage in order to prevent an increase in the numbers of "working poor" in Germany.
- 28 Nov 1999
Germany: German and Polish construction unions sign cooperation agreement<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, construction workers' trade unions from Germany and Poland signed an agreement on closer political cooperation and mutual support for posted workers
- 28 Nov 1999
Germany: Unions demand coordination of bargaining and European social dialogue in scaffolding sector<#PDF_LINK>At its third European conference for the scaffolding sector, held in Germany in October 1999, the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers demanded closer European coordination of collective bargaining and the introduction of a European social dialogue in the sector.
- 28 Nov 1999
Germany: Verdi overture - five unions agree to form Unified Service Sector Union<#PDF_LINK>In November 1999, five German service sector trade unions agreed to merge and form Verdi, the United Service Sector Union, in spring 2001. Special congresses of all five unions adopted a joint framework paper which outlines the organisational structures of Verdi, which will be the world's largest single union.
- 28 Nov 1999
Denmark: LO's welfare programme adopted by congress after stormy debate<#PDF_LINK>In late October 1999, the congress of Denmark's LO trade union confederation adopted - with many amendments - a draft proposal on welfare policy drawn up by the LO general secretary, Hans Jensen. Two unions voted against the proposal because they were unable to support its suggestions regarding the outsourcing of some areas of public welfare.
- 28 Nov 1999
Denmark: LO wins political mandate at congress<#PDF_LINK>Denmark's LO trade union confederation is set to return to a central position in Danish politics after 10 years of absence. Despite opposition and proposed amendments from major unions at its congress in October 1999, LO succeeded in having its welfare policy programme, "welfare requires commitment", adopted. Consequently, LO now has a mandate to enter direct political negotiations with the government concerning the shape of Denmark's future welfare society. The programme forms part of an LO strategy aimed at replacing the trade union movement's traditional defence of strict employee interests, with a more socially responsible approach.
- 28 Nov 1999
Denmark: Divided teachers' union holds congress<#PDF_LINK>The Danish Union of Teachers (DLF) held its congress in November 1999, following deep divisions over a recent collective agreement on working hours. However, the union's president Anni Herfort Andersen remained in office following a close contest with a rival candidate supported by opponents of the agreement, and has strengthened her position. In her report to the congress, Ms Herfort Andersen accused the Danish government, politicians and local authorities of not taking the primary and lower secondary school system seriously and of disclaiming responsibility for the quality of the schools. DLF wants to contribute to reversing this trend.
- 28 Nov 1999
Spain: New agreement concluded for civil service<#PDF_LINK>In September 1999, a new agreement covering pay and employment matters for civil servants was signed by the Spanish government and the CC.OO and CSI-CSIF trade unions. The UGT union, however, has rejected the deal.
- 28 Nov 1999
Spain: Agreement at Daewoo signed after a two-month strike<#PDF_LINK>An agreement was signed on 22 October 1999, bringing to an end a lengthy strike by workers at the new Daewoo refrigerator factory in Álava, Spain, seeking a substantial improvement in their working conditions. However, the agreement did not receive the support of all the trade unions represented on the Daewoo workers' committee.
- 28 Nov 1999
Spain: New law promotes reconciliation of work and family life<#PDF_LINK>A new law which came into force in Spain in November 1999 reforms the whole set of rules on family-related leave arrangements, and completes the transposition of the EU Directives on maternity protection and parental leave.
- 28 Nov 1999
Spain: Collective agreement signed in banking<#PDF_LINK>After lengthy negotiations, a new four-year collective agreement for the banking sector was concluded in October 1999 by the AEB employers' association and the CC.OO and UGT trade unions. The key issue in bargaining was working time, and the final deal represents a compromise between the positions of the two unions, as well as between those of employers and unions.
- 28 Nov 1999
Spain: Revision of law on immigrants under debate<#PDF_LINK>During 1999, following persistent demands from associations of immigrants, solidarity and integration associations, trade unions and left-wing political parties, Spain's 1985 Aliens' Law - which lays down the rules on immigrants, including employment issues - is being revised. In November, it was agreed that the legislative amendments would be dealt with urgently in parliament, in response to fears that the revision would not be carried out in the present legislature, and therefore postponed indefinitely.
- 28 Nov 1999
Spain: Indefinite strike in private coal mines<#PDF_LINK>The workers of the MSP private coal-mining company launched an indefinite strike in September 1999 against the company's strategy for the mines, which they fear may lead to the dismantling of the sector in Laciana county, León. The strike was still continuing in late November.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Labour and Social Affairs Council debates employment issues<#PDF_LINK>The EU Labour and Social Affairs Council met on 22 October 1999 to discuss a number of employment issues, including the Commission's "employment package" - consisting of the draft 1999 Joint Employment Report, recommendations on the implementation of Member States' employment policies, and the proposed Employment Guidelines for 2000.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: European day of action in shipbuilding<#PDF_LINK>A European day of action was staged in November 1999 by trade unions representing workers in the shipbuilding industry across Europe. The action aimed to persuade EU industry ministers to take steps to safeguard the European shipbuilding industry.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: ECJ rules against Luxembourg for non-transposition of EWCs Directive<#PDF_LINK>The European Court of Justice ruled on 21 October 1999 that Luxembourg has failed to implement the European Works Councils Directive, rejecting Luxembourg's argument that it has prepared draft legislation and that most of the Luxembourg companies falling within the scope of the Directive have voluntary EWC agreements in place.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Michelin redundancies stir unrest<#PDF_LINK>Plans to make 7,500 redundancies across Europe over the next three years were announced by the French tyre manufacturer Michelin in September 1999. This led to calls for an urgent meeting of Michelin's recently-established European Works Council and prompted the French government to legislate against companies making redundancies unless they have concluded a 35-hour week agreement aimed at safeguarding jobs.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Current EU information and consultation initiatives reviewed<#PDF_LINK>A number of employee information and consultation initiatives are currently on the EU agenda. We outline the position reached, as of November 1999, by the draft Directives on national information and consultation and employee involvement in the European Company Statute, the draft 13th company law Directive concerning takeover bids, which includes provisions on employee information, and the review of the European Works Councils Directive.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Public administration sector social dialogue conference agrees on closer cooperation<#PDF_LINK>A public administration sector European social dialogue conference was held on 2 November 1999 in Helsinki, attended by representatives of the European Federation of Public Service Unions, employer representatives in the area of national public sector administration in EU Member States, and representatives of the European Commission. Delegates agreed a structure for further regular informal meetings.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Commerce social dialogue agrees on fundamental workers' rights<#PDF_LINK>The social dialogue in the European commerce sector, between EuroCommerce (for employers) and Euro-FIET Commerce (for employees) has developed further over 1999. Notably, in August it produced an agreement on fundamental rights and principles at work, covering the elimination of forced labour, a ban on child labour, the elimination of discrimination, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. Topics for future social dialogue discussion in this sector include racism, teleworking and the situation of older workers.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: European Works Council agreements online<#PDF_LINK>As of October 1999, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions has made available on its website a database containing the details of some 450 European Works Council agreements, plus the full text of around 220 agreements.
- 28 Nov 1999
Finland: Teachers and healthcare employees fight budget cuts in municipalities<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, trade unions representing Finnish education, health and social care employees announced the launch of a joint campaign against lay-offs, cost cutting and fixed-term jobs in the municipal sector. Municipalities that hire fixed-term workers illegally are being threatened with court action. The municipal employers admit that some illegal actions may have occurred under the pressure of budget cuts.
- 28 Nov 1999
Finland: Temporary agency work causes friction in service sector<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, the Finnish Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union (HRHL) is involved in a controversy over the use of temporary agency work in the sector. There is no separate collective agreement for temporary work agencies, while the workers concerned are not covered by the collective agreements of the sectors in which they work, with the result that their pay and conditions are often worse than those of the user company's employees.
- 28 Nov 1999
Finland: Action programme launched to promote ability to cope at work<#PDF_LINK>In November 1999, the Finnish government launched an action programme to promote employees' "ability to cope" at work. It aims to find new practical solutions to prevent stress at work, among other measures, with the goal of raising the average age of retirement by two to three years over next decade. The programme has been prepared by various ministries, the social partners, sport organisations and the church, and the social partners will play a major role in its implementation.
- 28 Nov 1999
France: Managerial staff demonstrate in favour of the 35-hour week<#PDF_LINK>On 12 October 1999, while the debate on France's second law on the 35-hour week was taking place in the National Assembly, three trade unions - CGT, CFE-CGC and CFTC - organised a demonstration of managerial and professional staff in Paris. The aim was to obtain an amendment to the bill's provisions on managerial and professional staff and achieve "a genuine reduction of working time" for these categories of worker.
- 28 Nov 1999
France: French unions take position on World Trade Organisation talks<#PDF_LINK>On 13 October 1999, France's main trade union confederations made a joint statement on the issues to be negotiated at the World Trade Organisation's ministerial conference to be held in Seattle, USA, starting at the end of November 1999.
- 28 Nov 1999
France: Demonstration for jobs receives strong support<#PDF_LINK>A national demonstration for jobs organised by the French Communist Party was staged on 16 October 1999. The rally received considerable support, though the Socialist Party and most trade unions did not participate.
- 28 Nov 1999
Greece: New law on collective bargaining in public administration<#PDF_LINK>A new law published in September 1999 means that, for the first time, Greece's public servants have a right to negotiate their terms and conditions of employment and to conclude collective agreements. However, pay and pensions are excluded from formal bargaining, a point which has caused some disagreement within the ADEDY public sector trade union confederation.
- 28 Nov 1999
Greece: ECJ decision revives issue of family benefits for both spouses<#PDF_LINK>The fact that both spouses do not have equal entitlement to family and marriage benefits is a matter of long-standing controversy in Greece. A decision issued in October 1999 by the European Court of Justice has revived the issue, ruling that family benefits form part of remuneration and are thus subject to EU equal pay rules. The government is concerned about the cost of paying full benefits to both spouses, while the ADEDY public sector trade union confederation is calling for action.
- 28 Nov 1999
Ireland: Social partnership at a crucial juncture<#PDF_LINK>In November 1999, Ireland's social partners commenced talks on a new partnership agreement to replace the existing deal, Partnership 2000, which is due to expire early in 2000. The context of social partnership has changed from "managing crisis" to "managing economic growth and rising expectations". This fundamentally different context has generated a number of significant tensions, which revolve around two main related issues: income distribution and social equity.
- 28 Nov 1999
Ireland: SIPTU makes modest progress on local pay deals<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, Ireland's largest trade union, SIPTU, revealed that of 160 companies which have concluded locally-based "partnership" agreements, over half have also included some form of financial reward in excess of the basic terms of the current national agreement,Partnership 2000.
- 28 Nov 1999
Ireland: Aer Lingus brand image not reflected in organisational culture<#PDF_LINK>A report on Aer Lingus, Ireland's national airline, published in October 1999, has claimed that the company's "brand image" - which highlights "professionalism, intuition and intimacy" - is not reflected in an allegedly male-dominated organisational culture, which is described as similar to a "military or civil service organisation". The report was conducted under the EU-funded New Opportunities for Women (NOW) programme.
- 28 Nov 1999
Italy: Cgil signs Rome environmental services agreement<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, a new agreement was signed by management and trade unions on the reorganisation of Rome's environmental services company, Ama. The deal addresses those points in an earlier agreement, signed in June 1999, which had led to differences between the Cgil and Cisl union confederations.
- 28 Nov 1999
Italy: Restructuring of retail group means end of Standa<#PDF_LINK>In late October 1999, Italy's Coin group announced the closure of the head office and sale of 70 sales outlets of the Standa retail chain, which it acquired in 1998. The trade unions are concerned about possible job losses, but management has ruled out negative consequences on employment from the restructuring.
- 28 Nov 1999
Italy: New collective agreement signed for public sector executives<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, the Italian public sector bargaining agency, Aran, and the trade unions signed a national collective agreement for public sector executive officers in regional and local government. The main issues covered by the deal include the introduction of consultation and dialogue procedures, the possibility of termination of the employment relationship by mutual consent, pay increases and decentralised bargaining provisions.
- 28 Nov 1999
Italy: Liberalisation and privatisation put industrial relations at Enel to the test<#PDF_LINK>In November 1999, Enel Spa, the publicly-owned Italian conglomerate operating in the electricity sector, floated around one-third of its capital on the Milan and New York stock exchanges. About 85% of Enel's employees took up the offer of shares. This partial privatisation of the company launched the most important phase in the liberalisation of the Italian electricity sector. Collective bargaining has played a significant role in defining the regulatory framework in which the restructuring of Enel, and in part the sector as a whole, will proceed.
- 28 Nov 1999
Italy: First elections to Rsu representative bodies held at Post Office<#PDF_LINK>November 1999's elections for Rsu worker representative bodies in the Italian Post Office saw strong support for the main trade union confederations, Cgil, Cisl and Uil, which received around 80% of the votes, rather than independent unions. Nevertheless, there are deep divisions among the confederations concerning plans to restructure the Post Office.
- 28 Nov 1999
Luxembourg: Joint trade union structure created in private sector transport<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, Luxembourg's OGB-L trade union confederation and the FNCTTFEL transport workers' union set up a largely autonomous joint union structure, designed to address more efficiently problems encountered in private sector transport.
- 28 Nov 1999
Luxembourg: Consumer prices index to be reformed<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, the Luxembourg government approved a draft regulation that will reform the consumer prices index from 1 January 2000. This decision - which is of importance to the automatic indexation of pay - is based on an opinion from the Economic and Social Council that proposes two separate consumer price indexes, one based on EU harmonisation rules and one for national purposes.
- 28 Nov 1999
Netherlands: Insolvency law and the interests of employees<#PDF_LINK>Dutch insolvency law places emphasis on the interests of creditors. Employee interests are subordinate, but are not completely ignored. This is clear from a recent judicial decision and from a new bill that was presented to the cabinet in October 1999.
- 28 Nov 1999
Netherlands: Government's proposes mandatory employment for benefit recipients with children<#PDF_LINK>In September 1999, the Dutch government proposed obliging parents (mostly mothers) of small children receiving benefits to work. The proposal - part of the overall Work and Care Act - received heavy criticism, but it appears that a majority in the Lower House of parliament is prepared to vote in favour of a less stringent variation of the proposal. The FNV trade union confederation and the small and medium-sized business sector reject mandatory employment, which the VNO-NCW employer's association endorses.
- 28 Nov 1999
Norway: Professionals seek change to public sector pay system<#PDF_LINK>The Norwegian Medical Association (Dnlf) held its national conference in October 1999. The issue of the future pay bargaining structure in the public sector was discussed, and it became clear that Akademikerne, the trade union confederation for academically-qualified professionals to which Dnlf is affiliated, will be seeking major changes in the 2000 bargaining round.
- 28 Nov 1999
Norway: LO private services unions demand greater focus on their sector<#PDF_LINK>LO Service, the private services sector bargaining cartel of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), held its annual conference in November 1999. The unions involved emphasised that LO must take into consideration in its policy formation the increasing significance of the service sector. A proposal from the deputy leader of LO to seek an amalgamation of LO, the Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations (AF) and the Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS), received considerable attention.
- 28 Nov 1999
Portugal: Cross-border mobility of workers increases union cooperation<#PDF_LINK>October and November 1999 have seen a number of examples of increased cooperation of various kinds between trade unions in Portugal and their counterparts in other EU Member States, often reflecting increased cross-border mobility of workers. We look at the cases of textiles, nursing, fishing and banking.
- 28 Nov 1999
Portugal: Union confederations present annual demands<#PDF_LINK>In autumn 1999, as happens every year, Portugal's main trade union confederations, CGTP and UGT, issued their demands for the coming bargaining round and for the revision of the statutory national minimum wage.
- 28 Nov 1999
Sweden: Safety issues resolved in new electricians' agreement<#PDF_LINK>On 26 October 1999, the Swedish Electricians' Union and Electrical Contractors Association agreed a new collective agreement, after six weeks of industrial action. The important safety issue which had divided the parties was finally resolved through mediation.
- 28 Nov 1999
Sweden: Commissioner examines protection of personal integrity in working life<#PDF_LINK>In late September 1999, the Swedish government appointed a commissioner to examine the possible need for stronger protection, either by law or collective agreements, of personal integrity in working life. The issues concerned include drug-tests and other medical controls, as well as privacy issues related to information technology.
- 28 Nov 1999
Sweden: Government wants to increase collectively agreed retirement age to 67<#PDF_LINK>Under a proposal issued by the Swedish Ministry for Industry, Employment and Communications in October 1999, the retirement age set out in collective agreements will be increased to 67 years from the current norm of 65.
- 28 Nov 1999
Sweden: Journalist fairly dismissed for revealing source of information<#PDF_LINK>In September 1999, the Swedish Labour Court ruled that it was fair for a newspaper company to dismiss summarily a journalist who forwarded a copy of a fax message sent to the newspaper to the employer of the person who sent it, thus infringing rules on professional secrecy.
- 28 Nov 1999
United Kingdom: UK union leader renews call for adoption of EU consultation Directive<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, the general secretary of the UK's Trades Union Congress strongly criticised the UK government for continuing to oppose the draft EU Directive on national information and consultation rules put forward by the European Commission, but expressed confidence that the measure would ultimately be adopted.
- 28 Nov 1999
United Kingdom: Racist incidents lead to new equality initiative at Ford<#PDF_LINK>In October 1999, talks between Ford president Jacques Nasser and UK union leaders resulted in agreement on new measures to combat racial discrimination and harassment within the company's UK plants. The move follows an employment tribunal case in which the company accepted responsibility for the racial abuse of an Asian employee by supervisors, and subsequent walkouts over other allegations of racism.
- 28 Nov 1999
United Kingdom: Bargaining over the millennium<#PDF_LINK>In the UK, a unique dimension has been introduced to the issue of incentives for working over the new year holiday period in 1999/2000 by the millennium festivities and the feared millennium computer "bug". More people will be required to work at a time when more people than usual may be hoping to celebrate. An examination of the patterns of incentives offered by employers indicates that early expectations of a pay bonanza for staff appear to have been unfounded, except for those in key sectors such as information technology.
- 28 Nov 1999
United Kingdom: Attendance management: beyond the basics?<#PDF_LINK>Absence from work has run at steady levels for many years in the UK. This is confirmed by the most recent survey evidence, which covers 1998. Absence is a significant cost for employers, and policies of monitoring and control are now widespread. However, in late 1999, more positive policies aimed at encouraging attendance rather than managing absence remain rare.