February 2003
- 25 Feb 2003
Hungary: Dispute over interest rates<#PDF_LINK>Late 2002 and early 2003 saw a clash between MGYOSZ, Hungary's largest employers’ organisation, and the head of the Hungarian National Bank over the country's interest rate policy. The National Bank insists on its priority and statutory responsibility to curb high inflation and thus defends keeping interest rates high, while MGYOSZ argues that a strong forint endangers the competitiveness of Hungary and also threatens thousands of jobs. The other social partners and politicians have become involved in the debate.
- 25 Feb 2003
EU Countries: Les relations industrielles dans l’UE, au Japon et aux États-Unis en 2001<#PDF_LINK>Cette vue d’ensemble compare différents aspects clés des relations industrielles dans l’UE, au Japon et aux États-Unis, en s’intéressant particulièrement aux développements survenus en 2001.
- 19 Feb 2003
EU Countries: Unternehmensführungssysteme und die industrielle Umstrukturierung<#PDF_LINK>Die industrielle Umstrukturierung ist ein wesentliches Merkmal aller europäischen Volkswirtschaften. Allerdings läuft die Umstrukturierung je nach Land nach unterschiedlichen Schemata ab. Die vorliegende vergleichende Untersuchung der EIRO untersucht eine der Ursachen dieser Unterschiede - die nationalen Systeme derUnternehmensführung(die verschiedenen Mechanismen, die die obere Unternehmensleitung steuern und beeinflussen). Sie soll untersuchen, wie groß der relative Einfluss der Mitarbeiter und der Aktionäre auf Umstrukturierungsentscheidungen der Betriebsleitung ist, und eine Verbindung zu den wichtigsten Tendenzen und Entwicklungen in der Umstrukturierung herstellen. Außerdem beschreibt diese Studie die wichtigsten Aspekte der Unternehmensführungssysteme in den 15 EU-Mitgliedstaaten und Norwegen (auch unter Bewertung möglicher Gemeinsamkeiten dieser Systeme) und die wichtigsten Bestimmungen über die Vertretung der Arbeitnehmer in der Umstrukturierung. Anschließend werden die wichtigsten Muster bestimmt, was den Zusammenhang zwischen der Umstrukturierung einerseits und den nationalen Strukturen der Unternehmensführung und der Vertretung der Arbeitnehmer andererseits anbelangt.
- 13 Feb 2003
EU Countries: Relations industrielles dans les États membres de l'UE et les pays candidats<#PDF_LINK>La présente étude compare quelques aspects clés des systèmes de relations industrielles des 15 États membres actuels de l'UE et des 10 pays candidats à l'adhésion susceptibles d'être les premiers à rejoindre l'Union à partir de 2004. Elle met l'accent sur les partenaires sociaux, les négociations collectives et la participation des salariés. Elle présente également quelques comparaisons de base entre les États membres actuels et les pays candidats en ce qui concerne le marché du travail, les salaires, le temps de travail et les conditions d'emploi et de travail.
- 12 Feb 2003
Italy: Milan agreement on reconciling work and family life<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, an innovative agreement on reconciling work and private life was signed in Milan by local trade union organisations and the Apimilano association of small and medium-sized employers. The accord provide for a number of projects in this area, notably aimed at helping working parents.
- 12 Feb 2003
Italy: Cgil calls general strike<#PDF_LINK>Italy's Cgil trade union confederation has called a four-hour general strike for 21 February 2003, in protest against the policies of the government and employers, which it sees as contributing to the decline of Italian industry. The other two main union confederations, Cisl and Uil, did not join the strike call and have been very critical of Cgil's initiative.
- 12 Feb 2003
Italy: Referendum on dismissals rules approved<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the Italian Constitutional Court declared valid a proposal for a referendum put forward by two political parties and the Fiom-Cgil metalworkers' trade union. The referendum seeks to extend the right to reinstatement for unfairly dismissed workers provided by Article 18 of the Workers' Statute to all companies (it currently applies only to those with over 15 workers). The referendum is likely to take place between April and June 2003.
- 12 Feb 2003
Netherlands: Social partners respond to election outcome<#PDF_LINK>The Dutch parliamentary elections held in January 2003 resulted in victory for the established political parties. The social partners have expressed their wishes with regard to future government policy to theinformateurcharged with exploring the options for forming a new coalition government.
- 12 Feb 2003
Sweden: Government pensioner loses case in Labour Court<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the Swedish Labour Court issued its judgment in a case brought by a retired government official against her previous employer, the state. The dispute concerned the interpretation of a clause in a collective agreement on supplementary pensions for government employees, with the pensioner seeking compensation for changes in the index-linking rules for pensions. The complainant, and consequently about 100,000 other older pensioners, lost the case.
- 12 Feb 2003
Belgium: Controversy over Arcelor plant closures<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the Arbed steel group announced a restructuring plan that involves the closure of six smelting furnaces in Europe by 2010, including two Cockerill Sambre sites in Liège, Belgium. Several thousand jobs, both direct and indirect, will be affected in Liège. The Walloon regional government, a minority shareholder in Arcelor, considers the situation to be unacceptable, while the Belgian trade unions are outraged.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: MEDEF holds general assembly<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, France's MEDEF employers' confederation held its general assembly. Ernest-Antoine Seillière, who was re-elected as chair for another three years, set out the organisation's main lines of action for the future. The event was notable for the unprecedented presence of the Prime Minister.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: French subsidiary of Daewoo goes into liquidation<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the court-ordered liquidation was announced of the French subsidiary of the troubled Korean multinational, Daewoo. This followed several months of industrial action, which was often radical in nature. Company employees and the government are currently looking at the possibility of developing other types of business activity on the company's premises.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: Controversy over closure of Metaleurop Nord<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the management of Metaleurop Nord, a French subsidiary of the Swiss-based Glencore group, announced its immediate closure, with the loss of over 800 jobs. The move provoked widespread indignation, and trade unions, together with the government and the MEDEF employers' organisation, have protested against the decision.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: Vocational training negotiations restart<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, some 15 months after the breakdown of earlier national negotiations on vocational training reform, French trade unions and employers’ associations convened new talks on the issue. At an initial meeting, they established the method to be followed and set up two technical groups to examine a range of issues.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: Air Lib avoids filing for bankruptcy<#PDF_LINK>In early 2003, after a new period of uncertainty, France’s second-largest airline, Air Lib, appears to be on the path to survival. The company is to be relaunched with assistance from the Dutch investment group Imca. However, trade unions have concerns over Air Lib's restructuring plans.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: Implementation of 35-hour week in hospitals made more flexible<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, six trade unions signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health, aimed at making more flexible the implementation of a September 2001 agreement on the introduction of the 35-hour working week in French public hospitals. The new deal is a response to difficulties in implementing the earlier agreement, such as recruitment problems.
- 12 Feb 2003
Germany: Revival of Alliance for Jobs unlikely at present<#PDF_LINK>In February 2003, German trade unions declared recent government efforts to revive the moribund tripartite Alliance for Jobs, Vocational Training and Competitiveness a failure, for the time being at least. The unions stated that this was due to unbridgeable differences between themselves and employers' organisations, which have proposed a controversial job creation plan.
- 11 Feb 2003
Luxembourg: OGB-L sets up disabled workers' department<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, Luxembourg's OGB-L trade union confederation opened a new disabled workers’ department. It will promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities, not only in employment and training, but also in other areas.
- 11 Feb 2003
Luxembourg: Pharmacists union and OGB-L sign collaboration agreement<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the OGB-L trade union confederation and the Luxembourg Union of Non-Dispensing Pharmacists signed a collaboration agreement. They will seek to improve the pay and conditions of white-collar staff in Luxembourg pharmacies, with a view to concluding a collective agreement in this sector.
- 11 Feb 2003
Finland: New agreement signed in motor trade and repairs<#PDF_LINK>In late January 2003, a two-year collective agreement was reached for the Finnish motor trade and repairs sector when the AKU trade union and AKL employers' organisation accepted a proposal made by the National Conciliator. The agreement runs from March 2003 to March 2005 and is estimated to increase average wage costs by 5.9%-6%.
- 11 Feb 2003
Finland: TT elects new general director<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT) elected Kalevi Hemilä as its new general director as from August 2003. Johannes Koroma, who has been the general director of TT since its foundation in 1992, will retire at the beginning of 2004.
- 11 Feb 2003
United Kingdom: Talks resume in fire service dispute<#PDF_LINK>In early February 2003, following a meeting convened by the UK government, the Fire Brigades Union and the local authority employers agreed to the resumption of negotiations over their pay dispute, during which the union will not organise any further strike action.
- 11 Feb 2003
United Kingdom: Minister outlines government's likely approach to consultation legislation<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, at a trade union conference on the EU information and consultation Directive, employment relations minister Alan Johnson gave an initial indication of the government’s likely approach to implementing the Directive in the UK.
- 11 Feb 2003
Spain: Dispute over agricultural unemployment benefit ends<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the Spanish government agreed to repeal a recent reform of the special agricultural unemployment benefit scheme, following trade union protests and the threat of a general strike in the sector. It has now proposed a new type of provision for the casual agricultural workers who were left without benefit after the reform. The unions called off the strike, but still have major objections that may be resolved in the procedures before the relevant legislation is adopted.
- 11 Feb 2003
Spain: Differences over SEAT transfer to Slovakia<#PDF_LINK>In autumn 2002, Volkswagen announced the transfer of 10% of the production of the Ibiza model from the SEAT plant in Martorell, Spain to Bratislava, Slovakia. This led to differences of opinion between the trade unions on the SEAT workers' committee, reflected in the workforce, and a debate over the impact of EU enlargement and globalisation on Spanish motor manufacturing..
- 11 Feb 2003
Spain: Government proposes reform of continuing training system<#PDF_LINK>In early 2003, in the light of recent court rulings on the rights of regional authorities in this area, the Spanish government has launched a debate on reform of the continuing training system, in which the social partners are heavily involved. The government is proposing changes which include some decentralisation of the system to the regions.
- 11 Feb 2003
Germany: Union membership continues to fall<#PDF_LINK>According to the latest figures from the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB), membership of its affiliated trade unions dropped by 199,000 (2.5%) in 2002 to stand at 7.7 million. While membership has continued to decline for over 10 years, the pace of decline slowed in 2002. Some unions have responded to falling membership by seeking to improve their recruitment strategies.
- 11 Feb 2003
Austria: Railway employees threaten strike over restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the conservative People’s Party, which will be the senior partner in Austria's next coalition government, announced plans to restructure Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) by splitting it up into several divisions. The GdE rail workers' trade union sees this as a preparation for privatisation of the company, and has threatened strike action to oppose it.
- 11 Feb 2003
Norway: EFTA Court prohibits affirmative action practices<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the EFTA Court ruled that the practice of reserving some academic positions exclusively for women at Norwegian universities is unlawful according to Norway’s obligations under the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement.
- 11 Feb 2003
Ireland: Complete smoking ban to be introduced in all workplaces<#PDF_LINK>The government has announced that the smoking of tobacco products in all workplaces in Ireland is to be banned from the beginning of 2004. The move follows the publication in January 2003 of a new report on the health problems caused by passive smoking.
- 11 Feb 2003
Hungary: Growing discontent among employees of state-owned public utilities<#PDF_LINK>In early 2003, employees of Hungarian state-owned public utility and transport enterprises are demanding above-average pay increases, having been excluded from a 50% pay rise for public service sector employees introduced by the government in 2002. The government insists on wage restraint, as laid down in its budgetary plan for 2003, but trade unions representing groups such as bus and postal workers have organised industrial action, held demonstrations and submitted petitions, in support of higher wage rises.
- 11 Feb 2003
EU Level: Protest action in ports over proposed Directive<#PDF_LINK>Industrial action varying from symbolic stoppages to 24-hour strikes was held in January 2003 at many ports throughout Europe. Dock workers were protesting against a proposed EU Directive on market access to port services, which is due for a second reading in the European Parliament.
- 11 Feb 2003
EU Level: Informal social Council discusses employment and social protection<#PDF_LINK>An informal meeting of EU employment and social affairs ministers was held in Nafplio, Greece on 23-24 January 2003. Ministers discussed the European employment strategy and the issue of social protection.
- 11 Feb 2003
Greece: New pension regulations for working mothers<#PDF_LINK>From January 2003, the provisions of new Greek legislation relating to working mothers’ eligibility forfictitiouscontribution periods to pensions insurance came into effect. The new rules allow women to claim a certain period of pension contributions in respect of time spent having and bringing up children.
- 11 Feb 2003
Ireland: Aer Lingus pay freeze ends as fortunes revive<#PDF_LINK>After a 14-month pay freeze, all 4,000 employees of the Irish airline, Aer Lingus, are set to receive a total pay rise of 9.5% from March 2003, with the company’s 400 pilots due a further 12.5%.
- 11 Feb 2003
Denmark: DA calls for change in employment contracts legislation<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, a Danish court ruled that all changes in the employment relationship must be incorporated into the employment contract, including in cases where the employee was recruited before the adoption of the 1993 Act on Employment Contracts (which made written contracts obligatory). This ruling deprives employers of legal protection, according to the Danish Employers' Confederation (DA), which is now seeking to have the Act amended.
- 11 Feb 2003
EU Countries: Les systèmes de gouvernement d'entreprise et la nature de la restructuration industrielle<#PDF_LINK>La restructuration industrielle est une évolution importante concernant toutes les économies européennes. On peut toutefois observer que les schémas de restructuration varient d'un pays à l'autre; la présente étude comparative de l'EIRO (Observatoire européen des relations industrielles) est consacrée à une des causes de'ces variations: les systèmes nationaux degouvernement d'entreprise(c'est-à-dire l'ensemble des mécanismes qui régissent et influencent la direction d'une entreprise). Elle vise à faire la lumière sur l'influence relative des salariés et des actionnaires sur les décisions de restructuration de la direction, et envisage'cet aspect en relation avec les principales tendances et évolutions en matière de restructuration prises par les directions d'entreprises. L'étude décrit les principaux aspects des systèmes de gouvernement d'entreprise dans les 15 États membres de l'UE et en Norvège (ses auteurs évaluent également les'convergences éventuelles entre ces systèmes), ainsi que les principales dispositions relatives à la représentation des salariés dans le cadre d'une restructuration. Enfin, elle vise à définir les principaux schémas concernant le lien entre la restructuration d'une part, et les systèmes nationaux de gouvernement d'entreprise et de représentation des salariés d'autre part.
- 11 Feb 2003
Norway: Municipal authorities will bargain with teachers<#PDF_LINK>The Norwegian government decided in January 2003 to transfer collective bargaining responsibility in respect of teachers from the central state to the municipal/county authorities, which are already the teachers' employers. Teachers’ trade unions have strongly criticised the decision.
- 07 Feb 2003
France: Results of industrial tribunal elections<#PDF_LINK>On 11 December 2002, private sector employees and employers elected the members of France's joint industrial tribunals, which are responsible for resolving disputes between employers and employees through conciliation or by making rulings. The turn-out fell (to under a third of those eligible to vote), as it has done continuously since 1979 in the five-yearly elections, despite an improved showing on the employers’ side. The results of the 2002 elections did not radically change the balance of power between the trade unions or between the employers’ associations, although there were a number of notable developments.
- 04 Feb 2003
Austria: Pensions reform report provokes controversy<#PDF_LINK>In December 2002, a report examining the future financing of Austria's public pensions system was presented by a special commission established by the government. This report questions the sustainability of the present level of statutory pensions, and thus proposes a longer working life and cutbacks in cash benefits. These proposals have been strongly criticised by the parliamentary opposition and the trade unions.
- 03 Feb 2003
EU Level: Survey highlights business benefits of EWCs<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the international management consultancy Organization Resources Counselors Inc published a survey of 24 major multinational companies’ experience of European Works Councils. Among its key findings, the survey identifies someunexpected benefitsfor management from the operation of EWCs.
- 03 Feb 2003
Sweden: Government proposes sick pay reform<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the Swedish government issued a package of proposals aimed at achievingimproved health in working life. The measure include the introduction of part-time sickness absence (ie combining work with sick leave) as the norm, and greater responsibility for sick pay for public sector employers. In December 2002, a tripartite group discussing the same topic issued its report, though private sector employers had withdrawn from the talks.
- 03 Feb 2003
Netherlands: New regulations on transfer of undertakings<#PDF_LINK>In July 2002, new regulations came into force in the Netherlands to protect employees during the transfer of undertakings, implementing recent changes in EU law. The most important changes pertain to the transfer of pension schemes and transfers after bankruptcy. Problems with transfers in the Netherlands mainly occur in public transport at present.
- 03 Feb 2003
Greece: OKE examines social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>In December 2002, Greece's consultative Economic and Social Council (OKE) issued an opinion evaluating the development and prospects of social dialogue in Greece and at EU level - the first time that such an assessment has been produced. The opinion examines the progress of collective bargaining, institutionalised consultation and informal exchanges of views or consultations on a tripartite or bipartite basis.