December 2004
- 22 Dec 2004
Germany: Agreement on restructuring and cost-cutting at GM Germany<#PDF_LINK>In December 2004, the management and European Works Council at General Motors Europe concluded a European framework agreement on restructuring and cost-cutting, involving the loss of about 12,000 jobs at the auto company's European sites. Some 9,500 of these jobs will be cut at the German sites of Adam Opel AG - the German subsidiary of GM. As part of the overall settlement, an agreement was reached between Opel's management and company works council, which aims to avoid compulsory redundancies by way of early retirement schemes, outsourcing and the voluntary transfer of some 6,500 employees to so-called transfer agencies. The agreement is only the first step in the company's restructuring process. Several issues remain to be negotiated in the coming months, such as the future of the production sites and decisions about where future models are to be produced.
- 22 Dec 2004
Germany: Business and employers' representatives propose changes to co-determination<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, a commission on co-determination convened by the BDA employers' association and the BDI industry federation issued a report that calls for fundamental changes to Germany's rules allowing workers a role in corporate decision-making. In particular, the commission suggests that companies and employees should be free to establish the co-determination system that best suits their corporate structure and specific needs. Trade unions have rejected the proposals. A new joint commission to discuss co-determination, which would also include trade unions, is currently under discussion.
- 22 Dec 2004
Ireland: Labour market challenges debated at Labour Relations Commission forum<#PDF_LINK>At a symposium held in Dublin in November 2004, organised by the Labour Relations Commission, participants debated important challenges facing the Irish labour market. There were calls to simplify the complex employment rights framework and harness employee participation to boost competitiveness.
- 20 Dec 2004
EU Level: Kok group issues report on Lisbon strategy<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, a report on the EU's Lisbon strategy, issued by a high-level group chaired by the former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok, was discussed at the autumn European Council meeting. The report, which will feed into the mid-term review of the Lisbon economic and social strategy, states that there has been disappointing progress in implementation. It urges all those involved to work together to make better progress.
- 20 Dec 2004
EU Level: Council discusses draft Directives on working time, equality and radiation<#PDF_LINK>An EU social policy and employment Council meeting took place in early December 2004. Topics discussed included the European Commission's proposed revision of the working time Directive, a proposal aimed at bringing existing equality Directives together into a single text, and a draft Directive on protecting workers against exposure to optical radiation.
- 20 Dec 2004
EU Level: Framework accord on social rights at Total<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, management at the French energy multinational Total and representatives of European-level trade union organisations signed a framework agreement on social rights within the group. The accord covers information and consultation, training and competence development and the procedures to be followed in the event of changes to the business that will have an impact on employment.
- 20 Dec 2004
United Kingdom: Health and Safety Executive launches new measures to tackle workplace stress<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the UK's Health and Safety Executive launched a new initiative to help employers tackle the problem of work-related stress. The new management standardsdo not amount to legal regulation but are an authoritative attempt to encourage employers to work with employees and their representatives to reduce stress problems in the workplace.
- 20 Dec 2004
United Kingdom: Worker representation and 'voice' in small firms examined<#PDF_LINK>In September 2004, the annual conference of the UK's Trades Union Congress called for the extension of trade union recognition legislation to include smaller firms. Trade unions have also criticised the exclusion of small firms from forthcoming information and consultation Regulations. This article reviews the extent of employee representation in small firms, and the debate about widening legal requirements to encourage it.
- 20 Dec 2004
Finland: National competitiveness under debate<#PDF_LINK>A project titled Finland in the global economy, commissioned by the Prime Minister, concluded in November 2004. The project involved the social partners in extensive sector-specific dialogue to discuss how Finnish companies' competitiveness can be maintained and improved. The project's steering group has made various recommendations for reforming collective bargaining, which have been strongly criticised by the SAK and STTK trade union confederations. SAK has also contested statements by the EK employers' organisation that labour costs are a constraint on the competitiveness of Finnish firms.
- 20 Dec 2004
United Kingdom: Jaguar plant closure is latest blow to UK automotive sector<#PDF_LINK>In September 2004, Ford announced that it would cease manufacturing Jaguar vehicles at its historic Coventry site in the UK, with the loss of over 1,100 jobs. The move has been strongly opposed by trade unions within the company, but in December members affected by the proposed closure voted against industrial action on the issue.
- 14 Dec 2004
Greece: Report highlights social inequality<#PDF_LINK>According to a study published in late 2004 by National Centre for Social Research, around 21%-23% of the Greek population live below the poverty line, and social inequalities are high by EU standards.
- 13 Dec 2004
Italy: National agreement signed for local public transport workers<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, a new national collective agreement was signed for Italy's 117,000 local public transport workers. As well as providing for a wage rise, the agreement regulates the use of new forms of employment in the sector and improves the pay position of new recruits.
- 13 Dec 2004
Italy: Rsu elections held in public sector<#PDF_LINK>Over 1.1 million Italian public sector workers voted in elections to Rsu workplace representation bodies in November 2004. Projections indicate that trade unions affiliated to the three main confederations (Cgil, Cisl and Uil) won the great majority of the vote.
- 13 Dec 2004
Slovakia: KOZ SR holds congress<#PDF_LINK>The Confederation of Trade Unions of the Slovak Republic (KOZ SR) held its fifth congress in mid-November 2004. It adopted a four-year action programme, elected top officials, assessed the current state of social dialogue and discussed potential trade union cooperation with political parties.
- 09 Dec 2004
Ireland: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Ireland, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 09 Dec 2004
Norway: Rising tensions in air-traffic control<#PDF_LINK>Since 2003, a continuing reorganisation process at Avinor, which is responsible for air-traffic control services in Norway, has contributed to a deterioration in the relationship between management and trade unions at the state-owned limited company. The tension culminated in late October 2004 when all air-traffic controllers at the control centre in Røyken simultaneously went sick, halting air traffic for almost a day in the southern parts of Norway.
- 09 Dec 2004
Italy: Unions hold general strike against government policy<#PDF_LINK>On 30 November 2004, the main Italian trade union confederations held a one-day general strike in protest against the government's economic and financial policy - especially the 2005 national budget and a recent tax reform - and called on the government to start negotiations with the social partners over boosting the country's economy.
- 09 Dec 2004
Italy: National collective agreement signed for industrial managers<#PDF_LINK>A new national collective agreement for Italy's 80,000 industrial managers was signed in November 2004 by the Confindustria employers' confederation and the Federmanager managers' association. The agreement, which has a longer duration than its predecessors, reforms the pay system, increases supplementary pension contributions and seeks to provide greater financial assistance to redundant managers.
- 09 Dec 2004
Hungary: Agreement reached on terms of MATÁV workforce reduction<#PDF_LINK>In September 2004, an innovative agreement was reached by management and employee representative at Hungary's MATÁV telecommunications company on the measures to accompany a major workforce reduction. Under the deal, redundant employees may chose from several options, which will receive relatively generous funding by the company.
- 09 Dec 2004
Greece: GSEE to hold three days of strikes<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) announced that it would organise three days of strikes on 13-15 December 2004, to support demands for changes in government policy on taxation, incomes policy, unemployment and industrial relations.
- 08 Dec 2004
France: Controversy over Perrier redundancy plan<#PDF_LINK>In 2003, the Perrier mineral-water company (part of the Nestlé group) announced 350 job losses in France through early retirement (the fourth round of redundancies in recent years) and signed an agreement on the issue with two minority trade unions. The majority union at the company, CGT, decided to invoke a new right to challenge collective agreements signed by unions without majority support, introduced by legislation in 2004, hoping to have the early-retirement agreement cancelled. However, external and internal pressures resulted in CGT withdrawing its challenge in September 2004. As a result, the redundancy plan can go ahead but the future of Perrier remains uncertain.
- 08 Dec 2004
Netherlands: Tripartite 'autumn agreement' covers broad social reform agenda<#PDF_LINK>The Dutch government and the social partners concluded a new social agreementon 5 November 2004, against a background of wide-scale trade union protests. The autumn agreementcontains an almost complete socio-economic agenda for the years ahead, covering topical issues such as early retirement and life-span leavearrangements, occupational disability insurance and unemployment insurance. Controversy surrounding wage moderation has also been clarified by the agreement. Commentators see the agreement as reflecting an explicit choice on the part of the government to cooperate with the social partners, following a year of very cool relations.
- 08 Dec 2004
Slovakia: New labour market policy measures implemented<#PDF_LINK>Unemployment in Slovakia is a serious, long-term economic and social problem. Over 2003-4, a set of new active labour market policy measures - including preventive action and efforts to enhance employability - has been introduced to help tackle the problem, while public employment services have been reformed.
- 08 Dec 2004
Slovenia: ZSSS demands award of 13th-month payment and Christmas bonus<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, Slovenia's ZSSS trade union confederation called on employers to award workers a 13th-monthpayment and, where provided for by an agreement, a Christmas bonus. Around a fifth of the workforce received a 13th-month payment in 2003.
- 08 Dec 2004
Latvia: Police officers seek entitlement to benefits<#PDF_LINK>In late 2004, Latvian police officers have been seeking entitlement to childbirth and holiday benefits that are awarded to most civil servants, but not to all specialised services such as the police. Forbidden by law from forming a trade union, police officers have been bringing court cases over the issue, with some success.
- 08 Dec 2004
Latvia: Museum staff seek higher pay<#PDF_LINK>In October 2004, Latvia's Trade Union Federation for People Engaged in Cultural Activities (LKDAF) issued a demand for pay increases for state museum staff to the relevant authorities, joining a growing number of state employee groups with wage grievances.
- 08 Dec 2004
Latvia: Pay demands by medical staff spread<#PDF_LINK>During October 2004, a campaign for higher pay and shorter working hours launched by anaesthetists spread to other medical staff in Latvia, who are planning to cut their working time to a level they regard as being accordance with their pay and the law.
- 08 Dec 2004
Netherlands: KPN announces further redundancies<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the Dutch telecommunications group, KPN , announced 700 compulsory redundancies in its fixed-line telephone services division, adding to 1,550 job losses made earlier in the year in the wake of restructuring. Concerns have been raised by the works council and trade unions.
- 07 Dec 2004
Denmark: Pilot projects on more flexible working time assessed<#PDF_LINK>The 1999 collective agreement for Denmark's municipal sector allowed for the decentralisation of bargaining concerning working time. Many municipalities have since initiated pilot projects involving new forms of working time organisation, a number of which were assessed in 2004. Experience with the new models has been mixed
- 07 Dec 2004
EU Level: Continuing controversy over services Directive <#PDF_LINK>A controversial draft EU Directive on the provision of services in the internal market was the subject of a public hearing at the European Parliament and a debate in the competitiveness Council in November 2004. Trade unions are concerned that the Directive might have an adverse effect on pay and conditions in the service sector.
- 07 Dec 2004
Germany: Chemicals social partners defend collective bargaining autonomy<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the Mining, Chemicals and Energy Industrial Union (IG BCE) and the German Federation of Chemicals Employers' Associations (BAVC) held a joint press conference at which they defended Germany's current system of collective bargaining and spoke out against proposals from conservative and liberal opposition parties to decentralise the bargaining system. Both organisations defended the principle of collective bargaining autonomyand stressed that the bargaining parties in chemicals had proven their ability to adapt collective agreements to a changing environment and to meet company demands for flexibility.
- 07 Dec 2004
France: Agreement on dispute prevention signed at SNCF<#PDF_LINK>In October 2004, six of the eight trade unions represented at French National Railways (SNCF) signed an agreement designed to prevent industrial disputes at the state-run company. The agreement came at a time when the free market-oriented wing of the ruling conservative coalition was preparing to table legislation requiring minimum service during public transport strikes.
- 07 Dec 2004
Spain: Philips cuts employment at three Barcelona factories<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, Spanish trade unions criticised the policy of workforce reduction and relocation conducted by the Dutch multinational Philips at its plants in Barcelona. The unions have called for the intervention of the regional government in order to avoid the closure of three plants, asked the city council not to change the permitted use of the sites and demanded employment guarantees.
- 07 Dec 2004
Spain: CEOE sets out views on economic and labour issues<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the chair of the Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organisations (CEOE) set out a number of strategic recommendations for the coming year. CEOE makes an unfavourable diagnosis of the competitiveness of the Spanish economy and calls for more flexibility, lower taxes and reduced labour and social costs. The trade unions disagree with this analysis.
- 07 Dec 2004
Finland: Incomes policy negotiations interrupted by strikes<#PDF_LINK>Industrial action spread in Finland's transport sector in November 2004, in a dispute over part-time recruitment at two bus companies. The Confederation of Finnish Industries responded by halting the current national incomes policy negotiations for five days until the strikes had ended.
- 07 Dec 2004
Belgium: Talks over 2005-6 intersectoral agreement prove difficult<#PDF_LINK>Negotiations among the Belgian social partners over a national intersectoral agreement covering 2005-6 have run into difficulties in late 2004, with disagreement over the margin for pay increases over the next two years. The employers’ organisations consider that no increase is possible if the competitive position of Belgian companies is to be improved, while trade unions are threatening industrial action if wages are frozen.
- 07 Dec 2004
Belgium: Working time dispute at Post Office<#PDF_LINK>November 2004 saw industrial action at the Belgian Post Office, as trade unions accused management of going back on a commitment to reduce weekly working time from 38 hours to 36.
- 07 Dec 2004
Lithuania: Amendments proposed to Labour Code<#PDF_LINK>In September 2004, a parliamentary working group proposed a number of amendments to Lithuania's Labour Code, which came into force as recently as January 2003. The social partners have discussed the proposals in detail, agreeing on some, but not others.
- 07 Dec 2004
Bulgaria: Union discontent at Bulgarian Telecommunication Company<#PDF_LINK>In late 2004, trade unions at the newly privatised Bulgarian Telecommunication Company (BTC) announced that they were pulling out of the Council for Reconciliation of Interests (CRI), the social dialogue body for the communications sector, in protest at management's employment policies.
- 07 Dec 2004
EU Level: Commission highlights discrimination against Roma, gypsies and travellers<#PDF_LINK>A European Commission report issued in November 2004 examines the situation of Roma, gypsies and travellers in the EU and calls for action to prevent discrimination against them.
- 07 Dec 2004
United Kingdom: Employers and unions disagree over scope for increases in national minimum wage<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, during consultations held by the Low Pay Commission, the UK’s Trades Union Congress called for the national minimum wage to be increased to GBP 6.00 per hour over the next two years, whereas the Confederation of British Industry argued that the minimum wage should be frozen at its current level until 2006.
- 07 Dec 2004
EU Level: Round table held on social inclusion<#PDF_LINK>A round-table conference on social inclusion in the EU was held in October 2004, bringing together a range of interested parties. Participants exchanged views and good practice in areas such as labour market participation, income, social protection, education, social exclusion among children, immigrants, ethnic minorities and rural poverty.
- 07 Dec 2004
EU Level: Responses to Commission Green Paper on non-discrimination<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the European Commission reported on the responses it had received to a Green Paper on non-discrimination it issued in June. The Commission states that the responses reveal a strong demand for more EU action in this field.
- 07 Dec 2004
Sweden: Dispute over pay of Latvian construction workers<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the Swedish Building Workers’ Union launched a boycott of L&P Baltic, a Latvian construction company currently carrying out work in Sweden, which has refused to to observe the relevant collective agreement and pay Swedish wages to its workers, who are Latvians. The case seems likely to end in the courts.
- 07 Dec 2004
Estonia: Government disregards social partner proposal on unemployment insurance contributions<#PDF_LINK>In late 2004, the Estonian government decided not to change unemployment insurance contribution rates in 2005, although the social partners had asked for them to be cut. Trade unions and employers have criticised this decision, claiming that it undermines the principles of social partnership.
- 07 Dec 2004
Austria: Common pay system agreed for all metalworking employees<#PDF_LINK>A new collective agreement signed in the Austrian metalworking industry in November 2004 provides for a pay increase of 2.5% and introduces for the first time a common pay system for blue- and white-collar workers. Both employee groups will thus be treated equally in terms of job classification and automatic pay increments. Due to metalworking’s pattern-setting role in bargaining, this agreement may trigger negotiations on pay harmonisation in other sectors.
- 07 Dec 2004
Poland: Tele Fonika returns to Ożarów<#PDF_LINK>In 2002, Tele Fonika closed its cable plant in Ożarów, Poland, with the loss of 900 jobs. resulting in high-profile protests from the workforce. In 2004, however, the company is making a new investment in Ożarów, and hiring some of workers dismissed previously.
- 07 Dec 2004
Czech Republic: New legislation seeks to tackle discrimination<#PDF_LINK>A new Act On Employment came into force in the Czech Republic in October 2004. The new measures include changes to unemployment benefit rules and tougher anti-discrimination provisions. There have been several high-profile recent cases of discrimination, notably in recruitment, on grounds such as ethnicity, religion and age.
- 07 Dec 2004
Ireland: Multinational wins employee representation case<#PDF_LINK>In an important case under Ireland’s recently revised rules on employee representation in the workplace, in late 2004 the multinational company, GE Healthcare, won its argument at the Labour Court that its terms and conditions are in line with companies within its sector. It is thought that the ruling will ease fears among large non-union multinationals with Irish operations.
- 03 Dec 2004
Greece: Labour Inspectorate reports on work in 2003<#PDF_LINK>In October 2004, Greece's Corps of Labour Inspectors (SEPE) issued its annual report for 2003. Key findings include evidence of an increasing trend towards flexibility at work and a significant increase in accidents at work, especially in particular sectors and occupational categories.
- 03 Dec 2004
Hungary: Labour lawyers propose overhaul of Labour Code<#PDF_LINK>In 2003, the Hungarian government and social partners agreed that there was a need for a wide-ranging revision of current labour law. In response, in mid-2004, a group of leading labour law professionals presented a Conceptual paper on the creation of the new Labour Code, which proposes fundamental changes to the framework of labour law. It is unclear at present whether the current government will start legislative work on a new Labour Code during the remainder of its term of office, which expires in 2006.
- 02 Dec 2004
Slovenia: Unions oppose any increase in working time<#PDF_LINK>In late 2004, there has been much debate in Slovenia over a proposal made by some employers to change current legislation so as to allow employers to increase their employees' working time by 120 hours a year, half of it unpaid. The Slovenian Employers' Association wants to discuss such an increase in 2005 during negotiations over a new social agreement. All trade unions are strongly against any such lengthening of working time, and the issue may lead to major conflict.
- 02 Dec 2004
Slovenia: Report makes recommendations on representativeness of social partners<#PDF_LINK>An EU Phare project on social dialogue in Slovenia concluded in April 2004. The project's final report includes a number of recommendations on tackling the controversial issue of how to assess whether trade union and employers' confederations should be considered as nationally representative, and on the industrial relations role played by Slovenia's compulsory-membership business organisations, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Crafts.
- 02 Dec 2004
Poland: Single-establishment bargaining in 2003 examined<#PDF_LINK>According to figures published by the Polish State Labour Inspection (PLP) in 2004, the number of single-establishment collective agreements concluded rose in 2003, for the first time in some years. The individual establishment is the main bargaining level in Poland. The 441 agreements signed in 2003 dealt mainly with pay issues, with some containing provisions on matters such as work organisation. An increasing number of employers are suspending all or part of agreements in force, citing financial hardship.
- 02 Dec 2004
Denmark: Social partners welcome Danish political agreement on EU Constitutional Treaty<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the Danish government and three opposition parties concluded an agreement on the EU Constitutional Treaty, which will be put to a referendum in Denmark. The agreement states that Denmark will retain a veto on EU matters with vital significance for its welfare state, notably labour market issues, social affairs and tax policy, and any move to be qualified-majority Council voting in these areas can be vetoed by all five signatory political parties. The LO trade union confederation and DA employers' confederation strongly support this national compromise. However, some critical voices claim that qualified-majority EU voting on such issues would represent an advantage for the Danish agreement-based model of labour market regulation.
- 01 Dec 2004
Spain: Tripartite agreement on employment and economic growth signed for Madrid<#PDF_LINK>In October 2004, the regional government and social partners signed an agreement aimed at improving employment and boosting economic growth in the Community of Madrid. The aims are to: move towards full employment; improve the quality, stability and productivity of work; increase the involvement of women in work and business (gender issues receive particular attention throughout the agreement); improve the reconciliation of work and family life; and enhance the competitiveness of the region.
- 01 Dec 2004
Spain: Unions highlight precarious situation of young workers<#PDF_LINK>Spanish trade unions have published several reports in 2004 highlighting the high level of precarious and unstable employment among young people, and examining the consequences in terms of insecurity and poor working conditions. This article outlines the main findings.
- 01 Dec 2004
Italy: Social partners sign agreement on boosting the South<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, Italy's three main trade union confederations (Cgil, Cisl and Uil) and 13 employers’ organisations signed an agreement that calls for a range of measures aimed at relaunching the economy of the South of Italy. The social partners will present the document to the government and ask it to include a number of immediate interventions in the 2005 state budget law.