June 2003
- 30 Jun 2003
Italy: Survey examines company initiatives and agreements on reconciling work and family life<#PDF_LINK>Measures implemented by companies to help their employees in reconciling work and family responsibilities are still relatively rare in Italy. However, the findings of a survey, published in 2003, highlight a number of interestingfamily-friendlyschemes introduced by Italian companies in recent years. The survey indicates that these companies provide a varied mix of measures, including innovative working time arrangements and telework, company services for families and childcare, allowances and benefits, and specific career-support measures for employees with family commitments.
- 30 Jun 2003
Hungary: Social dialogue on National Development Plan<#PDF_LINK>As part of its preparations for joining the European Union in 2004, Hungary delivered its first National Development Plan, covering the period 2004-6, in spring 2003. This article examines the partnership approach pursued by the government in drawing up the Plan and the positions and input of trade unions and employers' organisations.
- 30 Jun 2003
Greece: Redundancies at Schiesser Pallas<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, Schiesser Pallas, a subsidiary of the German apparel multinational, Schiesser AG, announced that it was to close down its sewing operations in Greece, citing relatively high labour costs compared with countries such as Bulgaria and Romania. Despite detailed trade union counter-proposals, consultations failed to produce results and 500 redundancies are expected soon.
- 27 Jun 2003
Sweden: Two-year pay agreement reached for municipal workers after strike<#PDF_LINK>On 28 May 2003, the Swedish Municipal Workers' Union (Kommunal) and employers' organisations finally reached a new pay agreement for 420,000 blue-collar workers in the municipal and city council sector. The deal followed five weeks of industrial action involving around 110,000 municipal workers. The agreement provides for a rise in the lowest pay rates and average increases, to be distributed in local bargaining, of 3.95% in 2003 and 2.45% in 2004. Workers in areas such as nursing, healthcare and childcare will receive a larger share of these overall sums.
- 27 Jun 2003
Netherlands: Deadlock on occupational pensions in company bargaining<#PDF_LINK>In the 2003 Dutch collective bargaining round, occupational pension issues have led to a deadlock in negotiations at a number of major companies, notably in financial services and industry. Employers want to reform their pension schemes radically, as shrinking capital reserves and increasing numbers of claimants have depleted their funds. The Akzo Nobel chemicals group even wants to hive off its pension fund, making it independent. The trade unions are fiercely opposed to this plan and other more drastic austerity measures, but are increasingly prepared to accept a greater use of average-salary rather than final-salary schemes and a temporary suspension of pensions indexation.
- 27 Jun 2003
Poland: New legislation on 'social employment' in force<#PDF_LINK>In April 2003, a new law onsocial employmentcame into force in Poland, aimed at providing support and employment to up to the country's large number of people faced with social exclusion, such as long-term unemployed people, alcoholics and drug addicts, former prisoners, and people with mental illnesses. The legislation sets up social integration centres to provide assistance and integration programmes, and creates a system of subsidised employment to encourage employers to take on people from the target groups.
- 27 Jun 2003
Slovakia: Slovakia's first strikes hit railways<#PDF_LINK>In 2003, Slovakia has witnessed its first genuine strikes since it became independent. Two strikes were held on the railways in protest at plans to close 25 regional lines and reduce services on main lines. The second strike was indefinite, but was brought to an end by a court ruling (against which the unions have appealed) after three days. The unions' demands were not met by railway employers or the government.
- 26 Jun 2003
Spain: Single collective agreement signed for two nuclear power plants<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, management and trade unions signed a preliminary agreement on a unified collective agreement for two of Spain's nuclear power plants, those at Almaraz and Trillo. This may represent the first step towards a sectoral agreement for the sector, where bargaining currently occurs at plant level.
- 26 Jun 2003
Spain: UGT analyses industrial accident and illness rate<#PDF_LINK>In its 2002Report on industrial accidents and occupational illnesses, Spain's UGT trade union confederation examines the country's high industrial accident and illness rate and seeks to identify the causes. These are found to to be lack of compliance with the relevant legislation by companies, and the high level of subcontracting, temporary contracts and temporary agency work, which particularly affects young workers.
- 26 Jun 2003
Spain: Pensions reform under discussion<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2003, work is due to start on a revision of the Toledo pact, the 1995 agreement on the Spanish pensions system, in the light of gloomy demographic and expenditure forecasts. The government is seeking various changes, notably linking pensions to contributions paid over the entire career, the development of private pension schemes, a halt to early retirement and an increase in the retirement age. A recent European Commission report has contributed to the debate.
- 26 Jun 2003
France: Government proposes reform and decentralisation of 'minimum integration income' scheme<#PDF_LINK>The French government is due to propose legislation after the summer 2003 parliamentary recess reforming theminimum integration income(RMI) benefit and assistance scheme for people facing labour market difficulties. Much of the responsibility for the scheme is to be decentralised to local level, while a new form of employment contract - theminimum employment incomecontract - will be introduced for people who have been receiving RMI for two years.
- 26 Jun 2003
France: Latest developments in pension reform<#PDF_LINK>The French government was forced to amend its controversial proposals on pension reform by wide-scale strike action and demonstrations organised in protest on 13 May 2003. Following talks with the social partners, it revised the plan - though not the key point of increasing the contribution period required for a full pension - on the basis of a deal agreed by two trade union confederations, CFDT and CFE-CGC. The talks thus led to a split in the united trade union front on the issue, and unions opposed to the planned reform have called more protest action. Parliamentary debate on the bill began in June and is expected to to be completed in July.
- 26 Jun 2003
France: Reform of sickness insurance announced<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2003, France's Minister of Health announced that a reform of the sickness insurance system is to be presented in the autumn. While an increasing deficit posted by the sickness insurance funds has made this overhaul necessary, industrial relations tensions in the healthcare sector suggest that implementation may be problematic. The details of the reform are as yet unknown, but the major thrust appears to be a reduction in compulsory sickness insurance cover and the creation of specific measures for lower-income people.
- 26 Jun 2003
EU Countries: Entwicklungen im Bereich der Arbeitszeit - 2002<#PDF_LINK>Die vorliegende Studie zur Entwicklung der Arbeitszeit in den Jahren 2001 und 2002 zeigt, dass in der Europäischen Union (und Norwegen) die tariflich vereinbarte durchschnittliche Wochenarbeitszeit mit ca. 38,2 Stunden relativ unverändert geblieben ist. Im Zeitraum 2001 bis 2002 gab es - abgesehen von geringfügigen Kürzungen, die in einigen Ländern in bestimmten Sektoren und Unternehmen weitergeführt wurden - in der EU so gut wie keine größeren allgemeinen Arbeitszeitverkürzungen. Die vereinbarte reguläre Jahresarbeitszeit beträgt in der EU durchschnittlich ca. 1 710 Stunden. Nach Sektoren gegliedert, ist die Wochenarbeitszeit in der chemischen Industrie am höchsten, gefolgt vom Einzelhandel und dem öffentlichen Dienst. Der tariflich vereinbarte Anspruch auf bezahlten Jahresurlaub erhöhte sich 2002 geringfügig auf knapp 26 Tage. Der Bericht berücksichtigt auch die Daten von drei Kandidatenländern (Ungarn, Polen und Slowakei), wo die Arbeitszeiten generell länger sind als in der EU.
- 26 Jun 2003
EU Countries: Évolution du temps de travail - 2002<#PDF_LINK>La présente étude sur l’évolution de la durée du temps de travail en 2001 et 2002 montre que la durée conventionnelle moyenne de travail hebdomadaire dans l’Union européenne (ainsi que la Norvège) est restée relativement stable, de l’ordre de 38,2 heures. L’UE n’a pas connu d’importantes réductions générales des horaires de travail en 2001-2002, mais des réductions plus minimes se sont poursuivies dans des secteurs d’activité et des entreprises spécifiques. Dans l’UE et la Norvège, la durée moyenne normale de travail annuel établie collectivement se situe autour de 1 710 heures. En termes de secteurs d’activité, la chimie affiche la durée de travail hebdomadaire conventionnelle la plus élevée, suivie de la vente au détail et de la fonction publique. Le droit au congé payé annuel conventionnel, en légère augmentation, se situe à peine en dessous de 26 jours en 2002. Nous incluons également des données sur trois pays candidats (Hongrie, Pologne et Slovaquie), où le temps de travail est généralement supérieur à celui de l’UE.
- 26 Jun 2003
EU Countries: Entwicklungen im Bereich des Arbeitskampfes - 1998-2002<#PDF_LINK>In diesem Bericht werden Entwicklungen im Bereich des Arbeitskampfes in der gesamten Europäischen Union - sowie in Norwegen, Ungarn, Polen und der Slowakei - im Zeitraum 1998-2002 zusammengefasst. Hinsichtlich des Ausmaßes von Arbeitskämpfen sind beträchtliche Unterschiede zwischen den Ländern festzustellen, obwohl der Umfang bei historischer Betrachtungsweise im Allgemeinen gering ist. Verkehr und Kommunikation, dicht gefolgt von Industrie/verarbeitendem Gewerbe (wobei die Metallverarbeitung besonders auffällig ist), sind die am stärksten von Konflikten betroffenen Sektoren, gefolgt vom allgemeinen öffentlichen Sektor (insbesondere Gesundheit/Sozialarbeit und Bildung). Die am weitesten verbreitete Ursache für Arbeitskämpfe sind Kontroversen über Lohn- und Gehaltszahlungen.
- 26 Jun 2003
EU Countries: Évolutions en matière d’actions syndicales - 1998-2002<#PDF_LINK>Cette étude examine l’évolution des actions syndicales dans l’Union européenne ? ainsi qu’en Norvège, en Hongrie, en Pologne et en Slovaquie ? entre 1998 et 2002. Des différences considérables ont été relevées entre les pays en termes de nombre d’actions syndicales, même si les niveaux sont globalement faibles d’un point de vue historique. Les secteurs des transports et des télécommunications, suivis de près par l’industrie et la fabrication (avec notamment la métallurgie) puis par le secteur public au sens large (en particulier la santé/ l’action sociale et l’éducation) sont les plus enclins aux conflits. La cause d’action syndicale la plus courante concerne les problèmes de salaires.
- 26 Jun 2003
EU Countries: Arbeitsbeziehungen in den Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union und den beitrittswilligen Ländern<#PDF_LINK>Im vorliegenden Überblick werden einige zentrale Aspekte der einzelstaatlichen Systeme der Arbeitsbeziehungen in den 15 derzeitigen Mitgliedstaaten der EU sowie den zehn beitrittswilligen Ländern, die ab 2004 voraussichtlich als erste der Europäischen Union beitreten werden, miteinander verglichen. Ein besonderes Augenmerk wird auf die Sozialpartner, die Tarifverhandlungen und die Arbeitnehmerbeteiligung gerichtet. Darüber hinaus werden in dem Überblick einige grundlegende Vergleiche zwischen den derzeitigen Mitgliedstaaten und den beitrittswilligen Ländern angestellt, und zwar im Hinblick auf die jeweiligen Arbeitsmärkte, die Vergütung und die Arbeitsbedingungen.
- 25 Jun 2003
Luxembourg: New law amends civil servants' employment conditions<#PDF_LINK>New legislation adopted in May 2003 makes important changes to the employment conditions and status of Luxembourg's 21,000 civil servants. For example, civil servants will now find it easier to work part time and will have a more transparent disciplinary procedure. The age limit for starting work in the civil service has been raised from 40 to 45 years of age, teleworking is now possible, and equality delegates are to be appointed in all administrative units.
- 25 Jun 2003
Norway: Government proposes gender quotas on company boards<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the Norwegian government submitted a legislative proposal aimed at achieving 40% female representation on the boards of all public and (larger) private companies. The proposed law would apply to private companies only if they fail voluntarily to achieve an acceptable level of female board representation by 2005.
- 25 Jun 2003
Germany: Controversy over working time<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, Germany’s minister for the economy and work, Wolfgang Clement, sparked a debate on working time by saying that Germans should work longer hours in order to help the economy. The comment came at a time when metalworkers are taking strike action in eastern Germany to reduce their working week from 38 to 35 hours. Meanwhile, recent research indicates that the 35-hour week is not as widespread in Germany as is often thought, though another study finds that German workers have the shortest annual working hours in the industrialised world.
- 25 Jun 2003
Italy: Trade unions under threat from terrorism<#PDF_LINK>During 2003, Italian trade unions - and especially the Cisl confederation - have been repeatedly threatened and attacked by terrorist groups (with 43 such attacks, including 12 fire-bombings, recorded between July 2002 and May 2003). The minister of the interior has highlighted the threat to unions in parliament and in June the three main confederations agreed a united response to the attacks.
- 25 Jun 2003
Belgium: Arcelor closures in Wallonia examined<#PDF_LINK>In late April 2003, the management of the Arcelor steel group and trade unions at Cockerill Sambre, its subsidiary in Wallonia, Belgium, reached agreement on the gradual closure of the company's blast furnaces in Liège. This feature examines the changing objectives and strategies of management, the unions and the Walloon regional government during the affair, and outlines Arcelor's latest investment project in Wallonia along with a number of unresolved problems.
- 25 Jun 2003
France: Government announces family policy reforms<#PDF_LINK>At the annual Conference on the Family held at the end of April 2003, the French government announced a number of new family policy measures. Notably it is to introduce in 2004 a new benefit for parents of young children, replacing a number of existing schemes. The reaction of the social partners has been mixed.
- 25 Jun 2003
United Kingdom: Regional pay proposals spark controversy<#PDF_LINK>An announcement by the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer in his April 2003 budget statement that the government intends to introduce measures to increase regional wage flexibility in the public sector has drawn an angry response from trade unions. This feature examines the rationale behind the government’s proposal and the evidence on regional wage disparities within the UK economy.
- 24 Jun 2003
Germany: Survey examines women's representation on works councils and equal treatment at company level<#PDF_LINK>One of the aims of the 2001 reform of the German Works Constitution Act was to promote equal opportunities for men and women at company level. Alongside provisions geared towards improving the representation of women on works councils, the reform made the equal treatment of women at company level an objective for works councils, as well as making the reconciliation of work and family life a key area of their activity. The findings of the Institute for Economic and Social Research's third works and staff council survey, presented in March 2003, provide initial information on how this legal reform is being put into practice.
- 24 Jun 2003
EU Level: Social partners issue first follow-up report on training framework<#PDF_LINK>In March 2003, the EU-level social partners issued a report on the development of competencies and qualifications, drawn up within the context of a framework of actions for the lifelong development of competencies and qualifications agreed by the partners in March 2002. The document reports a wide range of EU-level and national initiatives in the priority areas for action laid down in the framework document.
- 24 Jun 2003
EU Level: ETUC holds 10th statutory congress<#PDF_LINK>The 10th statutory congress of the European Trade Union Confederation took place in May 2003. As well as electing a new leadership, the congress discussed a range of issues and adopted an action programme.
- 24 Jun 2003
United Kingdom: Unions call for tougher controls over boardroom pay<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the UK government issued a consultative document on company directors’ severance pay-offs and their links with company performance. The move follows increasing shareholder and trade union concern over executive pay issues. Trade unions are leading calls for a tougher regulatory framework.
- 24 Jun 2003
United Kingdom: Government to introduce corporate killing law<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, the UK government renewed its long-term commitment to legislate on corporate manslaughter - ie deaths caused by management failure, where the company's conduct fallsfar below what could reasonably be expected. Trade unions gave the move a cautious welcome, while employers' responses were more mixed.
- 24 Jun 2003
United Kingdom: Unions develop strategies to combat disability discrimination<#PDF_LINK>With the EU having declared 2003 as the European Year of People with Disabilities, this article reviews initiatives by the UK trade union movement to combat disability discrimination and promote equal rights for workers with disabilities.
- 24 Jun 2003
EU Level: Council fails to agree on temporary agency work Directive<#PDF_LINK>At the EU employment and social policy Council meeting held on 2-3 June 2003, ministers failed to reach agreement on a common position on the draft Directive on temporary agency workers. However, political agreement was reached on the Regulation on a statute for a European Cooperative Society and the accompanying Directive on worker involvement.
- 24 Jun 2003
Germany: Survey finds that statutory protection against dismissal hurts small firms<#PDF_LINK>The findings of a representative survey of firms with up to six employees, carried out in March 2003 by the Forsa research institute, indicate that less restrictive dismissal protection laws could create additional employment in Germany. Meanwhile, a study published by the Ifo research institute argues that strict employment protection legislation is harming employment creation.
- 24 Jun 2003
Austria: ECJ gives Turkish employees right to stand in Chamber of Labour elections<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, the European Court of Justice ruled that Turkish nationals should be eligible to stand for election to the general assembly of Austria's Chamber of Labour. This judgment challenges the controversial nationality-based rules on elections to Austrian statutory representative bodies in the industrial relations field.
- 24 Jun 2003
France: Industrial action continues in state education sector<#PDF_LINK>Since autumn 2002, trade unions representing staff employed in the French state education system have been taking industrial action in opposition to the government’s planned reforms in areas including pensions, decentralisation and budget cuts. After an 11th day of strike action and protests on 10 June 2003, the government made some progress in placating the unions. Whatever the outcome of this dispute, it is probable that the discontent among teachers, who have been highly mobilised for months, will be enduring.
- 21 Jun 2003
EU Countries: Évolution des salaires - 2002<#PDF_LINK>Cette étude des grandes tendances de l’évolution des salaires en 2001 et 2002 montre que les augmentations de salaires nominaux négociées collectivement sont en moyenne passées dans l’UE et en Norvège de 3,8% en 2001 à 3,5% en 2002 - des variations majeures existant toutefois selon les pays. Cette baisse marque la fin de la tendance à la hausse observée depuis 1999, laissant supposer que la modération salariale a été réitérée ou renforcée dans certains pays. Si l’on tient compte de l’inflation, le taux d’augmentation réelle a en fait légèrement augmenté entre 2001 et 2002, mais a légèrement diminué en ne tenant compte que de l’UE (Norvège exclue). Sur le plan sectoriel, l’augmentation moyenne était de 3,6% en 2001 dans le commerce de détail et la chimie, le secteur public central arrivant juste après avec 3,2%. En 2002, l’augmentation moyenne est restée stable dans la vente au détail et la fonction publique, mais a régressé dans la chimie, avec 3,4%. Nous tenons également compte des informations concernant trois pays candidats (Hongrie, Pologne et Slovaquie), où les augmentations salariales sont à l’heure actuelle généralement beaucoup plus importantes que dans l’UE.
- 21 Jun 2003
EU Countries: Lohn- und Gehaltsentwicklungen - 2002<#PDF_LINK>In dieser Übersicht über allgemeine Tendenzen im Bereich der Löhne und Gehälter in den Jahren 2001 und 2002 wird festgestellt, dass die Erhöhungen des nominalen, tarifvertraglich vereinbarten Durchschnittslohns in der EU und Norwegen von 3,8 % im Jahr 2001 auf 3,5 % im Jahr 2002 gesunken sind - allerdings mit beträchtlichen Unterschieden zwischen den einzelnen Ländern. Mit diesem Rückgang endete ein seit 1999 zu beobachtender Aufwärtstrend, was darauf schließen lässt, dass es in einigen Ländern zu einer neuerlichen beziehungsweise verstärkten Zurückhaltung hinsichtlich der Lohnforderungen gekommen ist. Unter Berücksichtigung der Inflation hat sich der Realzuwachs von 2001 auf 2002 geringfügig erhöht; wird nur die EU (ohne Norwegen) betrachtet, ist er jedoch leicht gesunken. Bei sektorbezogener Betrachtungsweise betrug die durchschnittliche Lohnerhöhung im Jahr 2001 sowohl im Einzelhandel als auch im Bereich der Chemie 3,6 %, gefolgt vom Kernbereich des öffentlichen Dienstes mit 3,2 %. Im Jahr 2002 blieb die durchschnittliche Lohnerhöhung im Einzelhandel und im öffentlichen Dienst stabil, sank jedoch im Bereich der Chemie auf 3,4 %. In den Bericht einbezogen werden auch Daten zu drei Beitrittsländern (Ungarn, Polen und Slowakei), in denen die Lohnerhöhungen gegenwärtig im Allgemeinen beträchtlich höher liegen als in der EU.
- 19 Jun 2003
Norway: YS joins international trade union bodies<#PDF_LINK>Over the course of 2002 and 2003, the Norwegian Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS), has joined a number of international trade union organisations at the Nordic, European, and global level. In May 2003, YS participated for the first time in the European Trade Union Confederation's statutory congress.
- 19 Jun 2003
Norway: Fewer days lost in disputes in 2002<#PDF_LINK>In 2002, some 150,000 working days were lost due to labour disputes in Norway - compared with around 500,000 in the last main bargaining round in 2002. The most extensive strike in 2002 hit the hotel and restaurant sector, while other significant disputes involved nurses, journalists and white-collar workers in manufacturing industry.
- 13 Jun 2003
Netherlands: New government to make social security cutbacks<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, a new coalition government of the Christian Democrats and two liberal parties, VVD and D66, took office in the Netherlands. The parties' coalition agreement provides for major cutbacks in public spending, largely targeted on social security expenditure. The trade unions are fiercely opposed to the proposed measures.
- 12 Jun 2003
France: Alstom announces Europe-wide restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In spring 2003, Alstom, the French-based engineering multinational, announced a major Europe-wide restructuring plan which includes stringent cuts in its activities. The group may be selling off its shipbuilding division and announced job losses in its power and transport infrastructure divisions at various works council meetings in April, May and June. There have been fierce reactions from trade unions in France, while the Alstom European Works Council has brought a court case.
- 12 Jun 2003
Poland: New rules on redundancies and protection of union activists<#PDF_LINK>A package of major revisions of labour law has been coming into force gradually in Poland since its adoption in 2002. From 1 July 2003, new rules will apply to many aspects of collective redundancies, including their definition and severance pay entitlements. Furthermore, the special protection against dismissal and detrimental treatment provided to trade union activists is to be subject to new limitations.
- 12 Jun 2003
Poland: Social partners agree minimum wage in construction<#PDF_LINK>In February 2003, trade unions and employers' organisations in the Polish construction sector reached agreement on a minimum wage rate for 2003, which is 50% above the national statutory minimum wage. The deal is seen as an important development in industrial relations in the industry.
- 12 Jun 2003
Italy: Confindustria holds annual assembly<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, Confindustria, Italy’s main employers’ association, held its annual assembly. Its president, Antonio D’Amato, addressed some key issues in his address, including the reform of the pension system, Italy’s economic recovery, the tax burden, welfare reform, labour market reform, the public administration, the resources to be allocated to research, and Southern Italy.
- 12 Jun 2003
Hungary: Major public sector union holds congress<#PDF_LINK>SZEF, the dominant trade union organisation in the Hungarian public service and civil administration sector (and arguably the country's largest union confederation) held its third congress in May 2003. The congress overcame a leadership crisis and adopted a programme for the coming five-year period.
- 12 Jun 2003
Hungary: Healthcare employees protest against privatisation of hospitals<#PDF_LINK>The Hungarian government has resolved to reform the healthcare system radically, and a bill submitted in March 2003 will allow hospitals and surgeries to operate as business companies with private investors. The Hungarian Chamber of Physicians (MOK), which originally opposed the bill, eventually reached a compromise with the government whereby doctors would become share-owners in the new service provider companies through a preferential scheme. However, the Democratic Union of Health and Social Care Employees (EDDSZ) totally refuses globalised healthcareand any termination of the public employee status of healthcare workers. To support its goals, EDDSZ has staged demonstration and petitioned parliament.
- 12 Jun 2003
Portugal: Innovative working time agreement at Autoeuropa<#PDF_LINK>An agreement signed by management and the workers' commission at the VW Autoeuropa car plant in Portugal has prevented 570 redundancies among the 3,200 employees or lengthy shutdowns, threatened as a result of a fall in production. Under a newtime account, scheme, workers will forgo a 3.3% pay rise in 2003 and convert it into 10 days off per year, which will be taken on days when the plant is shut down. The agreement came into effect in June 2003.
- 12 Jun 2003
Greece: Court rules Softex dismissals illegal<#PDF_LINK>In a judgment issued in late May 2003, a Greek court ruled the dismissals of many workers at Athenian Paper Mills SA (Softex) to be illegal, as redundancy legislation had not been observed. It stated that the workers are thus entitled to retroactive compensation for lost pay from the date they were made redundant in 2002 up to the date of the court ruling.
- 12 Jun 2003
Greece: Courts rule on issue of fixed-term work<#PDF_LINK>A number of Greek court rulings issued in April-June 2003 have focused on the issue of workers who are employed to meet the standing needs of employers for long periods under successive fixed-term employment contracts. The courts have upheld these workers' cases and converted their fixed-term contracts into open-ended contracts, in the light of the 1999 EU fixed-term work Directive.
- 11 Jun 2003
Germany: Aging crisis looms for Germany, states US institute<#PDF_LINK>A special report on Germany, published by the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in March 2003, examines the effects of aging and, in particular, the effects of a shrinking labour force on the German economy. It finds that, unless Germany implements sweeping reforms, it will face fiscal crisis, widespread labour shortages and slower economic growth
- 11 Jun 2003
Sweden: Fatal accidents at work decreasing<#PDF_LINK>According to figures issued by the Swedish Work Environment Authority in April 2003, the number of fatal accidents at work is declining. In 2002, 45 employees died in work accidents in Sweden, compared with an annual average of 190 in the 1970s, 99 in the 1980s and 86 in the 1990s. The Authority recently established a special committee of enquiry, which will study every fatal accident at work and its probable causes.
- 11 Jun 2003
Italy: Public sector workers hold strike<#PDF_LINK>On 19 May 2003, workers in many parts of the Italian public sector went on strike to push for the opening of negotiations over the renewal of their collective agreements (which expired at the end of 2001) and support their demands. Participation in the strike was very high, especially in hospitals, nursery schools and social security offices.
- 11 Jun 2003
Italy: Rsu union elections held at Fiat Mirafiori plant<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, elections to Rsu trade union representation bodies were held at Fiat's largest plant in Italy, the Mirafioiri site in Turin. Fiom-Cgil won the largest share of the vote, while Fim-Cisl came second (and first in the plant's important bodywork department).
- 11 Jun 2003
Austria: Further strikes as pensions talks fail<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, Austria's Federal President launched tripartite round-table talks in an attempt to resolve the major confrontation, including widespread industrial action, over the government’s plans to reform the public pensions system. However, the talks proved unsuccessful, and trade unions organised major strike action on 3 June, with further protests planned as the government seeks to push the reform through parliament during June.
- 11 Jun 2003
Spain: UGT highlights gender inequalities<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, Spain's UGT trade union confederation highlighted the unequal situation of women and men in employment, and notably a gender pay gap of around 30%. Women are also, it is claimed, subject to occupational segregation, higher unemployment and less stable employment.
- 11 Jun 2003
Spain: Long-term working time flexibility agreed at SEAT<#PDF_LINK>An innovative agreement was signed in May 2003 at the SEAT motor manufacturing plant in Martorell, Spain, providing for long-term flexibility of working time to deal with reduced production between June 2003 and March 2004, thus preventing redundancies. Reduced working time over this period will be recovered in 2004 when production increases.
- 11 Jun 2003
Belgium: Mixed fortunes in 2003-4 sectoral bargaining<#PDF_LINK>In the first half of 2003, sectoral collective bargaining has been proceeding in Belgium within the framework of the intersectoral agreement for 2003-4. The agreements concluded by June indicate that the economic slowdown is having a major impact on employees' purchasing power, though there have been advances in areas such as employment, training, the status of blue-collar workers and end-of-career arrangements. Bargaining remains difficult in a number of large sectors.
- 11 Jun 2003
Germany: Newspaper claims OECD was urged to rewrite policy recommendations on Germany<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, a German daily business newspaper, Handelsblatt, claimed that critical parts of the latest OECD country survey on Germany, published in December 2002, were partly rewritten by the German government. In particular, it is alleged that OECD recommendations to increase labour market flexibility and continue pension reforms were watered down.
- 11 Jun 2003
Denmark: Agreement concluded on Faroe Islands after major strikes<#PDF_LINK>The Faroe Islands (a self-governing territory under Danish sovereignty) were hit by major strikes in May 2003 after the breakdown of bargaining over a new collective agreement between five trade union associations and the Federation of Faroese Employers. At the third attempt, and after four weeks of strikes, the bargaining parties concluded a pay agreement in early June.
- 10 Jun 2003
EU Countries: Tarifbindung und Übertragungsverfahren<#PDF_LINK>Der Geltungsbereich von Tarifverträgen und deren Übertragbarkeit auf andere als die unterzeichnenden Organisationen sind wichtige Faktoren, die sich erheblich auf die Verfahrensweisen und Praktiken auswirken, mit denen die Löhne und Gehälter, die Arbeitszeiten und -bedingungen festgelegt werden. Sie haben somit auch Auswirkungen auf die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung. Diese EIRO-Vergleichsstudie enthält quantitative Daten zu den Tarifbindungsraten und gibt einen Überblick über die rechtlichen Grundlagen für die Übertragungsmechanismen in 20 europäischen Ländern, d. h. den 15 EU-Mitgliedstaaten, Norwegen, Polen, der Slowakei, Slowenien und Ungarn. In der Studie werden die Tendenzen im Bereich der Tarifbindung sowie Änderungen bei den Bestimmungen und in der Praxis der Übertragung seit 1990 untersucht. Dabei wird auch die Haltung der Akteure der Arbeitsbeziehungen zu diesen Fragen berücksichtigt.
- 10 Jun 2003
EU Level: Commission issues proposal on coordination of social protection policy<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission issued in May 2003 a Communication in which it sets out the case for streamlining and improving the coordination of social protection policy at EU level in the areas of pensions, social inclusion, healthcare and social security systems.
- 10 Jun 2003
EU Countries: Couverture de la négociation collective et procédures d’extension<#PDF_LINK>La couverture de la négociation collective et les mécanismes permettant d’étendre les dispositions des conventions collectives au-delà des membres des organisations signataires sont des facteurs qui influencent de façon importante les procédures et les pratiques de fixation des salaires, du temps de travail et des conditions de travail, et de ce fait ont également un impact sur la croissance économique. Cette étude comparative de l’EIRO fournit des données quantitatives sur les niveaux de couverture de la négociation collective et donne un aperçu des mécanismes d’extension basés sur la loi dans 20 pays européens – les 15 États membres de l’UE, la Hongrie, la Norvège, la Pologne, la Slovaquie et la Slovénie. L’étude examine les tendances en matière de couverture de la négociation collective et l’évolution de la réglementation et des pratiques d’extension depuis 1990, tout en s’intéressant aux points de vue des principaux acteurs des relations industrielles sur ces questions.
- 10 Jun 2003
Germany: Public sector employers' bargaining association collapses<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, the joint collective bargaining association for German public sector employers collapsed after more than 40 years. Representatives of the federal government and the federal states declared that they no longer see common ground for a bargaining association with the municipal employers. Furthermore, the federal states are no longer willing to accept the leadership of the federal government in future bargaining rounds in the public sector.
- 10 Jun 2003
EU Level: European Cooperative Society nears adoption<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the Council of the European Union reached political agreement on the draft Regulation on the European Cooperative Society and the accompanying draft Directive on worker involvement. This followed the adoption of resolutions on the two texts by the European Parliament in May.
- 10 Jun 2003
EU Level: First pan-European campaign to combat risks of dangerous substances at work<#PDF_LINK>A new EU-wide campaign to reduce the risks of chemicals, biological agents and other dangerous substances at work was launched by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in May 2003.
- 10 Jun 2003
United Kingdom: Key unions elect left-wing leaders<#PDF_LINK>The election of left-wing candidates as the new general secretaries of the influential TGWU and GMB unions during the first half of 2003 has reinforced the anti-New Labourstance of many of the UK’s leading trade unions, and is likely to put further strains on government-union relations.
- 10 Jun 2003
United Kingdom: National Health Service pay reforms ratified by union members<#PDF_LINK>By the end of May 2003, membership ballots conducted by trade unions confirmed widespread, but conditional, support for an agreement on the radical reform of pay and conditions of employment covering most staff in the UK's National Health Service.
- 10 Jun 2003
Finland: Gender equality in insurance sector examined<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, the Insurance Employers’ Association and the Union of Insurance Employees in Finland published a third joint report on gender equality in the Finnish insurance sector. The report, finds that female clerical employees’ monthly wages were 25% lower on average than those of their male colleagues in the sector in 2001. About three-quarters of this difference can be explained by differences in men’s and women’s background factors (such as age, education, and work tasks), while around a quarter of the gender wage differential remains unexplained.
- 10 Jun 2003
EU Level: Parliament adopts resolution on corporate social responsibility<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on corporate social responsibility, in response to the European Commission’s 2002 Communication on this issue. Parliament calls on the Commission, the Council of Ministers, Member States, companies and other involved parties to work to promote corporate social responsibility.
- 10 Jun 2003
Ireland: Guinness moves away from traditional pay system<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, Guinness Ireland is set to push further ahead with plans to replace its current pay arrangements, which are based on the traditional combination of agreed national wage rises and structured annual increments, with a new performance pay system.
- 10 Jun 2003
Ireland: Civil servants may face disciplinary 'fines'<#PDF_LINK>Civil servants are to be subject to a monetary penalty as a disciplinary measure, once the Irish government passes the new Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2003 into law at the end of 2003.