May 2005
- 31 May 2005
Germany: Gesamtmetall proposes reforms of education system<#PDF_LINK>In May 2005, the Cologne Institute for Business Research published proposals to reform the German education system drawn up by the employers’ association for the metalworking and electrical industry, Gesamtmetall. Gesamtmetall calls for a fundamentally new direction in education, arguing that attempts by companies in its sectors to employ the next generation of workers are being severely hampered by a lack of appropriate knowledge and skills amongst young people.
- 31 May 2005
United Kingdom: End of the line for MG Rover<#PDF_LINK>One hundred years of volume car production at the Longbridge plant in Birmingham, UK, came to an end in April 2005, nearly five years after the sale of Rover by BMW. This article outlines the main events surrounding the collapse of MG Rover and the consequences for the local economy.
- 31 May 2005
United Kingdom: National minimum wage reviewed<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, the Low Pay Commission published its latest report reviewing the impact of the UK's national minimum wage. This recommended increases in the adult and development rates, among other reforms.
- 31 May 2005
Belgium: Sectoral bargaining proceeds in tense climate<#PDF_LINK>Bargaining over new sectoral collective agreements for 2005 and 2006 is well advanced in Belgium in May 2005. Agreements have been reached in many sectors, but bargaining has been difficult in some cases, with industrial action taken or threatened, following the failure of earlier talks over a national intersectoral agreement for 2005-6.
- 31 May 2005
Ireland: Nurses' union questions social partnership status quo<#PDF_LINK>At the annual conference of the Irish Nurses Organisation, held in May 2005, delegates voiced considerable discontent over the social partnership status quoin Ireland. The union has threatened to pull out of the second public service pay benchmarking process - due to commence later in 2005 - and take industrial action in pursuit of a 3.5% pay rise that employers have threatened to withhold.
- 31 May 2005
Norway: LO holds national congress<#PDF_LINK>The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) held its four-yearly national congress in May 2005. Among other matters, LO’s position on the issue of a proposed new pensions system was approved at the congress.
- 31 May 2005
EU Level: EU social partners issue joint statement on EWCs<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, EU-level employer and trade union bodies published a joint assessment of the operation of European Works Councils (EWCs) to date, based on case studies of the experience of a number of major companies. We highlight the main points of the document.
- 31 May 2005
EU Level: European Parliament votes to end opt-out from working time Directive<#PDF_LINK>At its May 2005 plenary session, the European Parliament approved a text amending the European Commission’s draft Directive on the revision of the working time Directive. One of the main areas of revision is the elimination of the opt-out from the maximum 48-hour week after three years.
- 31 May 2005
Finland: The Finnish social partners and the EU's Lisbon strategy<#PDF_LINK>The reformulation of the European Union's Lisbon strategy has prompted discussions among the Finnish central social partner organisations in spring 2005. This article reviews the positions of the different actors in the debate.
- 31 May 2005
United Kingdom: Job losses and strike threats hit banking sector<#PDF_LINK>In May 2005, large-scale job losses were announced at Abbey, LloydsTSB, and the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks in the UK. Another contentious issue is pay, with ballots for strike action being held at LloydsTSB and HSBC.
- 31 May 2005
Cyprus: OEB calls for employment and industrial relations changes<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, in a memorandum to the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Cyprus's Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) called for immediate changes with regard to a number of industrial relations and employment issues.
- 31 May 2005
Hungary: EU information and consultation Directive implemented<#PDF_LINK>Legislation came into force in Hungary in March 2005 that seeks to implement the 2002 EU Directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees.
- 31 May 2005
EU Level: ILO organises world day for safety and health at work<#PDF_LINK>Every year, on the world day for safety and health at work organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations are encouraged to conduct awareness-raising activities within their areas of influence on the theme of accident and ill-health prevention. On 28 April 2005, as in previous years, there was a wide range of events in which governments, employers and workers participated.
- 31 May 2005
United Kingdom: Government outlines new proposals to implement skills strategy<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, the UK government published a white paper outlining new measures to tackle Britain’s skills problem. Chief among these is the National Employer Training Programme, which seeks to put employer needs at centre stage in the design and delivery of training.
- 27 May 2005
Slovenia: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Slovenia, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 27 May 2005
Slovakia: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Slovakia, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 26 May 2005
Spain: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Spain, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 26 May 2005
Sweden: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Sweden, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 26 May 2005
Poland: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Poland, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 18 May 2005
United Kingdom: Issues and trends in pay and benefits practice for HR professionals in the UK<#PDF_LINK>The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development released the findings of its fourth annual reward management survey in February 2005. The results identified a number of significant issues and trends in pay and benefits practice in the UK.
- 18 May 2005
France: Is gender equality at work a mirage?<#PDF_LINK>In his New Year address to the representatives of the nation’s working population in January, President Jacques Chirac requested that the government introduce a bill aimed at achieving gender pay equality within five years before Parliament without delay. On 24 March 2005, Minister for Parity and Gender Equality at Work, Nicole Ameline, presented her Bill on gender pay equality.
- 18 May 2005
Bulgaria: Round table on working poor in Bulgaria<#PDF_LINK>At the end of March, the largest national trade union in Bulgaria, CITUB, organised a round table debate, where the representatives of social partners, the government, politicians and research fellows discussed the extent of the working poorphenomenon in the country and measures to mitigate the problem. The participants in the forum discussed the issues relating to the working poorin the context of poverty in Bulgaria in general, as well as from the point of view of low-paid workersand the state’s ability to influence the issue.
- 18 May 2005
Italy: New forms of work organisation and industrial relations in southern Europe<#PDF_LINK>The new forms of work organisation envisaged by the 1997 Green Paper Partnership for a New Organisation of Work are still rare in southern Europe. According to the results of a series of conferences promoted by the European Commission, the explanation may lie in the attitude of the social partners and in a low level of public support.
- 18 May 2005
Czech Republic: Trade union officials in the firm<#PDF_LINK>Trade union officials in enterprise are commended by both employees and personnel managers; the latter particularly appreciate their ability to harmonise the interests of management and staff. The assessment of the qualities of trade union officials also drew attention to the lack of younger people holding official trade union posts.
- 18 May 2005
Spain: Variable pay and profit-sharing: The Spanish case<#PDF_LINK>Financial participation and profit-sharing tend to be interpreted as a special and complementary pay mechanism in Spain; it is widespread in companies but limited to a percentage of fixed pay. Employee share ownership occupies little space in collective bargaining and tends to be dealt with through company agreements, often between the companies and the more qualified workers.
- 18 May 2005
Spain: Reconciliation of work, and family life for women in Spain<#PDF_LINK>The participation rates of women are rising, but are still some way behind those of men. The problems of reconciling work and family life hinder the integration of women into the labour market. The UGT has criticised the transposition of the European Directive through the Law on reconciliation of work with family life. The law interprets that the problems of work-life balance are individual rather than collective. The trade union view is that they should be considered as a collective problem because they involve a loss of equal rights, lower the birth rate and threaten the economic future of the country.
- 18 May 2005
Netherlands: Security for the self-employed and their employers<#PDF_LINK>In 2005, self-employed individuals and their employers will be awarded greater security based on the Declaration of Independent Contractor Status (Verklaring Arbeidsrelatie, VAR) In this, the tax authorities and the body implementing employee insurance schemes (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen, UWV) indicate if they recognise the working relationships of the self-employed as independent labour or as labour in respect of employment, or that they simply do not know. The distinction between the self-employed and employees is always a difficult one. The security for self-employed individuals and their employers is that there will no longer be penalties if the self-employed are deemed to be employees in retrospect.
- 18 May 2005
Poland: Labour unions and restructuring processes in the hard coal sector in Poland<#PDF_LINK>Hard coal mining has traditionally been a sector with a strong union presence. From the very outset of restructuring, the mining unions have taken an active part in the transformation of the industry. This article endeavours to describe the industrial relations and social dialogue situation in Polish mining, with particular emphasis on union representation. Approaching the subject from this angle is important because, as the article will demonstrate, unions are still capable of exerting an impact on the fate of entire industries (blocking privatisation).
- 17 May 2005
EU Countries: Changes in national collective bargaining systems since 1990<#PDF_LINK>This comparative study provides an overview of the development of national collective bargaining systems since 1990 in the EU Member States (except Luxembourg and Portugal) plus Bulgaria, Norway and Romania. It examines: the legal framework for collective bargaining; national data and documentation on collective agreements; the basic features of the countries' bargaining systems - such as bargaining levels, coverage and extension procedures; changes since the early 1990s; and the views and demands of the social partners and political actors on the future development of collective bargaining.
- 16 May 2005
Lithuania: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Lithuania, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 15 May 2005
Netherlands: Thematic feature on unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in the Netherlands, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 13 May 2005
Latvia: The State Police Staff Start Creation of a Trade Union<#PDF_LINK>In 2004 several employees at State Police filed complaints with the Republic of Latvia Ministry of Interior concerning injustice experienced by police officers in the field of social guarantees in comparison with other civil servants. Several police officers went to the court. In order to prevent aggravation of the situation and the threat of a strike the Government promised that police officer will be entitled to establish trade unions from 1 January 2006. The first step in this direction is renewal of the Police Society.
- 13 May 2005
Hungary: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Hungary, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 13 May 2005
Greece: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Greece, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 13 May 2005
France: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in France, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 13 May 2005
Italy: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Italy, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 13 May 2005
Slovenia: Trade unions against the reduction of pay compensation to reduce the ill-health absenteeism<#PDF_LINK>The Ministry of Health intends to amend the Law on Health Security and Health Insurance in order to, and among other things, cut sick leave benefits in some cases. However, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) intends to defend the existing employees’ rights in this field by all means. ZSSS is blaming management, the non-existence of preventive measures to prevent occupational diseases etc. for the rise of ill-health absenteeism.
- 13 May 2005
Spain: Mercadona develops innovative employment practices<#PDF_LINK>The employment modeldeveloped by the Mercadona retail group stands out in the Spanish context. It combines relatively good employment conditions with working conditions that are highly demanding. The company's employment practices seek to focus on customers and promote total quality. This article provides a brief case study of Mercadona in early 2005
- 13 May 2005
Denmark: The expected invasion of cheap labour from the new Eastern EU countries did not take place<#PDF_LINK>In December 2003 the Danish Parliament passed a set of transitional rules with the aim to prevent an uncontrolable influx of workers from the new Eastern European EU-countries after the extension 1 May. The law demands that new workers work under the conditions of a collective agreement. One year after the extension it is a fact that the expected invasion did not take place. However, especially the trade unions have pointed out several pitfalls that can be used to circumvent the regulations.
- 12 May 2005
Belgium: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Belgium, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 12 May 2005
Cyprus: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Cyprus, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 12 May 2005
Malta: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Malta, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 12 May 2005
Denmark: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Denmark, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 12 May 2005
Ireland: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Ireland, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 12 May 2005
Czech Republic: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in the Czech Republic, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 12 May 2005
Sweden: Young people and immigrants employed in temporary work agencies have good chances to receive proper jobs, survey shows<#PDF_LINK>Working in the temporary work agency business seems to be a way for young people and immigrants to establish themselves in the labour market. Immigrants stay as temporary agency workers for a shorter time and move on to work in another business to a larger extent compared to workers born in Sweden, a new report finds.
- 12 May 2005
Austria: Income report finds loss of earnings and increase in gender-related pay differentials<#PDF_LINK>The recent report on the income of the Austrian population reveals that (with the exception of civil servants) employees earned less in 2004 than in 2000. Gender-specific pay differentials remain considerable. They have even increased among blue-collar workers, where women were mostly affected by the loss of pay.
- 12 May 2005
France: 2004, a record year for social security contributions<#PDF_LINK>In 2004, the revenue from social security contributions gathered by ACOSS outstripped forecasts to reach levels not seen for many years. Employer associations have decided to return to the boards managing the various social security funds, while ACOSS intends to improve the collection of contributions.Original Abstract - Required
- 12 May 2005
Germany: Managers’ survey on women’s equal opportunities in work<#PDF_LINK>On 4 March 2005, the Social Market Economy Initiative (INSM) published the results of a survey of managers’ attitudes towards equal opportunities for women in work. In the representative survey, conducted in February 2005, the views of 404 companies on this subject were canvassed. The results were presented to the World Women Work congress in Berlin at the beginning of March.
- 12 May 2005
Netherlands: Increasing relocation of production to Eastern Europe, India and China; cause for concern but kept in perspective<#PDF_LINK>The relocation of production to Eastern Europe, India and China increased further in 2004. Philips, DSM, Viasytems and Océ are but a few of the companies to have hived off jobs and locations over the last year to relaunch or expand operations elsewhere in a number of cases. In the wake of increasing globalisation, production in the Netherlands is either no longer competitive or it has become more attractive for companies to maintain production closer to the emerging markets. Relocation is becoming increasingly attractive due to cost differences and direct market access. A broad study shows that the scale of relocation and the impact this is having on the economy and on job opportunities must not be exaggerated. The Dutch economy operates at a low price, and the rate of unemployment at the bottom end of the wage system is not that high.
- 12 May 2005
Spain: Spain: The normalisation of immigrants in 2005<#PDF_LINK>The Spanish government has established a three-month process of normalisation for illegal immigrants, from 7 February to 7 May. There are two differences in comparison with previous processes: the large number of illegal immigrants and the fact that the formal application for legalisation must be made by employers. The aim of the government is to bring the underground economy, which is growing as a result of immigration, to the surface.
- 12 May 2005
EU Countries: Approche intégrée de l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes dans les relations industrielles<#PDF_LINK>Cette étude comparative analyse dans quelle mesure la dimension du genre est intégrée dans les relations industrielles des 17 États membres de l’UE et de la Norvège. Elle examine les négociations collectives et leurs résultats, ainsi que la politique et les infrastructures d’intégration de la dimension du genre des syndicats et des organisations patronales. La politique gouvernementale et la législation sont également abordées, le cas échéant, pour apporter des éclaircissements sur le contexte national dans lequel les partenaires sociaux évoluent. L’étude montre que l’approche intégrée de l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes relève essentiellement des réglementations et politiques gouvernementales, et qu’il n’existe pas beaucoup de liens entre le cadre institutionnel/réglementaire gouvernemental et les négociations collectives. L’approche intégrée de l’égalité figure néanmoins à l’ordre du jour des organisations syndicales centrales de tous les pays concernés. Les confédérations patronales ont généralement une approche de l’intégration de la dimension du genre moins développée, et ont tendance à privilégier différents aspects, notamment les politiques sur la diversité, et à préférer les solutions sur mesure aux règles générales. La question des genres est toutefois actuellement intégrée dans les négociations collectives de nombreux pays, le plus souvent au niveau national multisectoriel. Ces accords sont généralement des cadres d’objectifs à élaborer aux niveaux sectoriel ou de l’entreprise, ou prennent la forme de recommandations à l’adresse de niveaux de négociation inférieurs.
- 11 May 2005
United Kingdom: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in the UK, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 11 May 2005
Germany: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Germany, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 11 May 2005
Austria: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Austria, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 11 May 2005
Finland: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Finland, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 11 May 2005
Norway: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Norway, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 10 May 2005
Lithuania: Social partners agree on development of social partnership over 2005-6<#PDF_LINK>In January 2005, at a meeting of the Tripartite Council of the Republic of Lithuania, the social partners and government approved a plan for the development of social partnership over 2005-6.
- 10 May 2005
Malta: GWU sued for damages<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, Malta Shipyards Limited sued the General Workers’ Union for damages incurred due to industrial action ordered by the union, which allegedly breached the shipyards’ collective agreement.
- 10 May 2005
Hungary: Wage agreement reached for rural bus transport<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, a last-minute pay agreement averted national strike action at rural bus transport companies in Hungary. The deal provides the companies' 25,000 employees with an average gross wage increase of 8% for 2005.
- 10 May 2005
Hungary: Strike averted in Budapest public transport<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, following lengthy bargaining and the threat of a strike, the Budapest Transport Company (BKV) and five trade unions reached a pay agreement. In 2005, the workforce will receive a flat-rate wage increase, worth about 8% on average but more than 10% for low-paid workers.
- 10 May 2005
Hungary: New rules for measuring representativeness of public service unions<#PDF_LINK>A new law that came into force in Hungary in January 2005 changes the rules for the recognition of public employees’ trade unions at workplace, sectoral and national level. It represents a major shift from the 1992 Labour Code, which made the results of elections to works councils the criterion of representativeness for unions.
- 10 May 2005
Hungary: Activities of national tripartite body in 2004 reviewed<#PDF_LINK>The national-level tripartite forum, currently the National Interest Reconciliation Council (OÉT), is a central element of the Hungarian industrial relations system. It has been operating since 1990, and despite various reorganisation efforts, it has changed very little in terms of members and agenda since the early 1990s. This article reviews the 2004 activities of the OÉT, which was re-established in 2002.
- 10 May 2005
EU Level: Informal social affairs Council discusses restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, social affairs ministers met informally to discuss the issue of social responsibility in industrial restructuring. Ministers agreed on a range of elements deemed necessary for the management of change.
- 10 May 2005
EU Level: ETF stages civil aviation action day<#PDF_LINK>The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) staged a European action day in April 2005 in defence of employment, social and trade union rights and in protest against any further deregulation of the civil aviation industry.
- 10 May 2005
Finland: Strikes begin in the paper industry<#PDF_LINK>Collective bargaining negotiations in the paper industry had still not advanced by early May 2005. Instead, the bargaining deadlock had resulted in lock-outs, a four-day national work stoppage and numerous selective strikes. A strike warning and a lock-out warning had also been issued by Paperiliitto and Metsäteollisuus respectively. These actions are to take place in the latter half of May. The conflict may even spread abroad as Sweden’s Pappersindustriarbetareförbundet and the EWCs of Stora Enso and UPM have promised their support to Paperiliitto.
- 10 May 2005
Italy: Company agreement signed at Ferrari Auto<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005 the sectoral trade union organisations affiliated to Cgil, Cisl and Uil and the Italian automobile company Ferrari Auto signed a company agreement. The main novelties of the agreement are a greater working time flexibility, the valorisation of part-time work and an handsome performance-related pay.
- 10 May 2005
Italy: Company agreement and code of conduct at the Bitron group<#PDF_LINK>In February 2004 the Italian multinational group Bitron and the sectoral trade union organisations affiliated to Cgil, Cisl and Uil signed a company agreement for two plants of the Group located in the Piedmont region and a code of conduct for the group’s activities located abroad.
- 10 May 2005
Italy: The social partners signed a Common avis for the transposition of the Directive 2001/86/CE<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005 the Italian social partners signed a Common Avis for the transposition of the Directive 200/86/CE
- 10 May 2005
Lithuania: The May strike of medical professionals suspended for autumn<#PDF_LINK>The strike of medical professionals planned for 17 May 2005 was suspended upon signing of the agreement on medical professionals’ wage increase by all concerned parties.
- 10 May 2005
Spain: The CEOE and the Ministry of Labour consider their positions on reforming the labour market<#PDF_LINK>The CEOE has proposed a new type of contract of fixed duration. The Ministry of Labour responded with the idea of penalising temporary employment by increasing employers' unemployment contributions for temporary contracts and reducing them for permanent contracts.
- 10 May 2005
Spain: New reform of the labour market<#PDF_LINK>A new process of bargaining between the government and the social partners for the reform of the labour market began in March 2005. Its objectives are to increase job creation and employment stability, to promote the integration in employment of women and disadvantaged groups, and to reinforce the employment policies with special reference to labour mediation.
- 10 May 2005
Spain: Spain, a million newjobs<#PDF_LINK>After revising some methodological criteria of the Survey of the Active Population (EPA), a quarterly sample of over 60,000 persons, the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística, INE) concludes that at the end of 2004 there were 964,700 more occupied persons than the 17.3 million stated initially.
- 10 May 2005
Spain: Proposal to modify the tenureship of civil service posts<#PDF_LINK>A report commissioned by the government recommends the elimination of tenureship in civil service posts without threatening employment. Continuity in the specific posts, complementary remuneration and categories will be subject to an objective periodical review of the work done. The government also wishes to reduce temporary employment in the public administrations by preventing the illegal prolongation of interim contracts. The text must now be agreed with the trade unions and with the main opposition party, the People's Party.
- 10 May 2005
Malta: Another worker director loses position due to restructuring<#PDF_LINK>The termination of the post of worker director at Air Malta seems to be part of the trend being followed by the present government to abolish the post of worker director in state owned or run enterprises.
- 10 May 2005
Bulgaria: Conflict among the employer organizations in Bulgaria<#PDF_LINK>The four-year cycle of the social dialogue in Bulgaria, within the expiring mandate of the current Government (July 2005) has an unhappy ending. In the beginning of 2005 the two large trade unions demonstratively abandoned their work at the National Tripartite Co-operation Council. During the last weeks the Punic Warwas transferred to the employer organisations. In this environment the Government’s reports claiming it has a successful dialogue with the public during their mandate do not seem very justified.
- 09 May 2005
Slovakia: Unemployed are supported by self-employment<#PDF_LINK>The permanently high unemployment forces the employment services to apply more efficient active employment policy measures. One of the most efficient tools implemented in 2004 is provision of financial benefits for those unemployed who decided to act as self-employed entrepreneurs. In 2005 these financial benefits started to be provided to a wider range of unemployed. So far more than two thousand unemployed started their self-employment thanks to this tool.
- 09 May 2005
Poland: Conflict over redundancies at Telekomunikacja Polska<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, the management of Telekomunikacja Polska SA., the Polish state-owned telecommunications operator, announced up to 3,500 redundancies out of a workforce of 30,000. In response, a majority of the workforce voted in favour of industrial action in a ballot. Talks broke down and protest actions began in April, following which the company increased the package on offer for employees taking voluntary redundancy and cut the number of planned job losses.
- 09 May 2005
Ireland: Redundancy terms stable as job losses decline<#PDF_LINK>The number of redundancies was down in 2004 by 15.6% while the level of redundancy payments, paid out to departing employees, largely remained unchanged.
- 09 May 2005
Slovenia: Quota of work permits for foreign nationals set for 2005<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, following consultation with the social partners, the Slovenian government adopted the 2005 quota of work permits for non-EU foreign national who require such permits. The figure is set at 16,700 work permits - lower than the 2004 quota, which was not met. In addition, the employment of foreign workers not requiring work permits is expected to increase in 2005, although it was much lower than expected in 2004.
- 09 May 2005
Spain: Social dialogue over system for care of dependent people<#PDF_LINK>In early 2005, the Spanish government issued a white paper on establishing a national system of care for people who are dependent - ie unable to look after their own needs dues to disability, age etc. The plans are being discussed by the social partners, with matters such as the model to be applied and the extent of funding still to be decided.
- 09 May 2005
Ireland: Congress governance structure plan for state-owned firms<#PDF_LINK>A new governance structure for state companies proposed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), which would allow them easier access to capital and greater commercial independence, could face opposition from trade union members.
- 09 May 2005
Romania: Civil servants’ trade unions reorganise and make demands<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, civil service trade unions in Romania established a new federation, Alianţa Sed Lex, as part of a lengthy process of reorganisation aimed at achieving a structure that fits closely with the public administration system. Simultaneously, the unions launched a labour dispute to promote claims related to civil servants' status, working hours and pay, and other specific issues.
- 09 May 2005
EU Level: Anti-noise campaign launched<#PDF_LINK>A European-wide campaign was launched in April 2005 to raise awareness of and tackle one of Europe’s most persistent health problems, noise at work.
- 09 May 2005
Poland: Trade Unions’ Protests in Steelworks<#PDF_LINK>Trade unions are protesting at Mittal Steel Poland, the county’s biggest steel conglomerate. They object to the Management’s failure to implement the investment plan and social package provisions. The representatives of the managing board of the group are astonished, because in their opinion all obligations that the group was imposed with are being executed.
- 09 May 2005
Sweden: Professional unions gain members, blue-collar workers’ memberships decrease<#PDF_LINK>The trend for the Swedish trade unions in the development of memberships continues. The professional’s unions in the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations gain more members every year. The Swedish Confederation of Trade Unions loses their blue-collar members, little by little.
- 09 May 2005
Germany: IAB publishes study on short-time working<#PDF_LINK>At the end of March 2005, the Institute for Labour Market and Employment Research (IAB) published a study on the extent of short-time working in Germany. According to the IAB, short-time working exists in both the secondary and tertiary sectors. It may prevent downsizing during temporary lulls in demand.
- 09 May 2005
Czech Republic: Strike at Škoda Auto<#PDF_LINK>By 30 March 2005 management and trade unions at the Škoda Auto plant at Mladá Boleslav had been through thirteen unsuccessful rounds of bargaining on a collective agreement; and the old collective agreement expired on April 1. Wages were at the heart of the dispute - the unions demanding a 10% increase in tariff wages; the management was prepared to add just under 3% to offset inflation. What is more, the management demanded wage restraint for a period of 15 months. Under these circumstances, the trade unions organised a three-hour strike on 30 March 2005. An 80% turnout by workers convinced the management that it had to yield: in the new collective agreement it undertook to raise wages by 7% and guaranteed further increases. The strike was the first ever at the Škoda motor works in its 100 years of existence.
- 09 May 2005
Germany: European minimum wage policy proposed<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, researcher from Germany, France and Switzerland presented theses for a European minimum wage policy according to which every country in Europe should guarantee a national minimum wage. The researches proposed a national minimum wage norm which corresponds to 60% of the average national wage. As a short-term target the researchers called for a norm of at least 50% of the national average wage in order to prevent the expansion of working poor.
- 09 May 2005
Norway: Plans for a new service sector union put on ice<#PDF_LINK>On 3 May 2005 the planned merger of several transport- and service sectors unions came was stopped. Despite a general consensus about the need to join forces to confront the challenges faced by these unions, the organisational and cultural barriers between the unions were seen be too great to foster agreement on the organisational structure of the new union.
- 09 May 2005
France: Civil Servants Obtain Additional Wage Rise<#PDF_LINK>In the wake of major industrial action, civil service trade unions obtained an additional 0.8% wage rise in March 2005, on top of the 1% agreed to by the Government in late 2004. Unions and the Minister also agreed on the agenda for negotiations on civil service modernisation.
- 09 May 2005
France: Incorporation of Directives into French Law: increasing working time for lorry drivers!<#PDF_LINK>The government has just passed the law incorporating the European directives on working time in the transport industry into French law. Most of the unions that had filed an appeal are planning a response and are seriously concerned.
- 09 May 2005
France: Stands on The European Union Constitution Treaty<#PDF_LINK>On 14 July 2004, the President of France let it be known that he had decided that the treaty would be presented to the French nation for ratification by means of a referendum. Following consultations with the various political parties, he finally set the date for the referendum as Sunday 29 May 2005. Polls, which had been predicting a yesvictory right up until March 2005, are now casting doubt on whether France will in fact endorse the treaty.
- 09 May 2005
Austria: Employment summit on job creation measures<#PDF_LINK>In the middle of April, top-level talks on employment between the social partners and Martin Bartenstein, the minister of economic and labour affairs, took place. Fritz Verzetnitsch, the president of Austria's ÖGB trade union confederation, calls for a profound re-orientation of economic policy and presents a package of measures that shall create 50,000 new jobs within a year.
- 09 May 2005
Belgium: Arcelor is turning a page in the history of the Walloon steel industry<#PDF_LINK>The steel group Arcelor went ahead, on the 26th April, with the closure of the last but one active blast furnace in the Liège steel producing area (East of Belgium). This is the first implementation of the decision taken by Arcelor to close the hot phasesof its continental sites, which are less competitive than those situated near the sea. The closure of the last blast furnace in the Liège region is scheduled for 2009.
- 09 May 2005
United Kingdom: Official statistics highlight union membership trends<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, the government published its annual statistical report on trade union membership, based on Labour Force Survey data for autumn 2004. The number of union members in the UK and the rate of union membership fell slightly, compared with the previous year. This article briefly outlines the report’s main findings.
- 09 May 2005
Romania: Pay controversy in national post<#PDF_LINK>On 19 April 2005, for the first time in 15 years, the national post employees went on a strike to claim a 16% pay rise. Following negotiations, the strike was called off that very day. Postal workers obtained only a mere 3% wage increase but the government promised that it would re-analyse the situation of the company together with the International Monetary Fund.
- 09 May 2005
Romania: Warning strike hits the rail sector<#PDF_LINK>Romanian railways workers were out on a two hours warning strike on 22 April 2005. As in previous years, pay increase and meal vouchers were the main demands. Regardless of the imminent general strike, the management is committed not to go back on its initial offer.
- 09 May 2005
Estonia: Large gaps in wages of educational workers<#PDF_LINK>Employees in education protest against large gaps in minimum wage rates between schools that were revealed in April 2005. These gaps occur, because the government has not specified the minimum wage rates for teachers already during the last two years and local municipalities distribute financial resources by their own discretion.
- 09 May 2005
Sweden: The Swedish Labour Court asks for a preliminary ruling from the ECJ regarding dispute of pay for Latvian workers<#PDF_LINK>The dispute about whether Swedish trade union conflict actions could be permitted in order to reach a pay agreement with a Latvian construction company situated in Sweden, working with Latvian employees has temporarily been put aside. The Swedish Labour Court decided 27 April 2005 to ask the European Court of Justice of a preliminary ruling.
- 06 May 2005
Italy: Atypicalwork spreads<#PDF_LINK>In early 2005, the Eurispes research institute published its annual survey of Italy's political, economic and social situation. The latest report devotes considerable attention to an analysis of recent changes in the Italian labour market, with particular regard to atypicalwork. The study - which also covers new contractual forms introduced by a 2003 labour market reform - seeks to describe the main features of the process of flexibilisation under way in the labour market for the past decade. Eurispes has also conducted a survey of atypical workers, examining their careers, working conditions and degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with aspects of their jobs, as well as the impact of flexibility on their state of mental and physical well-being.
- 06 May 2005
Italy: Public sector workers strike over pay agreements<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, more than 3 million Italian public employees had been waiting 15 months for renewal of their collective agreements on pay, which expired at the end of 2003. On 18 March, trade unions called a strike across the public sector in support of demands for the renewal of the agreements for 2004-5. However, the positions of the two sides are still very distant - the government is offering an average 4.3% pay increase over two years, while the unions refuse to accept anything less than 8%.
- 05 May 2005
Malta: Impasse over legitimacy of industrial action resolved<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, Malta's General Workers' Union was in disagreement with Enemalta, a state-owned corporation, over the legality of industrial action called by the trade union at Malta International Airport. As initial meetings failed to reach an amicable settlement, the government referred the issue to the Industrial Tribunal, while GWU pledged further action and sought the backing of the European Trade Union Confederation. Last-minute meetings led to an agreement and the suspension of GWU's plans to organise sympathy action.
- 05 May 2005
Ireland: Report calls for far-reaching workplace development strategy<#PDF_LINK>A high-level report by a Forum on the Workplace of the Future sponsored by Ireland’s National Centre for Partnership and Performance was launched by the Prime Minister in March 2005. It calls for a comprehensive and coordinated National Workplace Strategy to boost workplace innovation and collaboration in Ireland.
- 05 May 2005
France: Controversial reform of sickness insurance assessed<#PDF_LINK>A law reforming France's sickness insurance system came into force in August 2004. Its objective is to balance the sickness insurance scheme’s finances by 2007, while reorganising the healthcare system. Although the impact of some of the law's measures has already been witnessed, as at April 2005, the effects of others will be observable only in future. Trade unions have been critical of the reform, but there are serious differences of opinion among them.
- 05 May 2005
France: Government presents workplace health plan 2005-9<#PDF_LINK>The French government submitted a workplace health plan covering the period from 2005 to 2009 to the Higher Council for the Prevention of Occupational Risks in February 2005. This plan, developed in consultation with the social partners, is designed to achieve both a substantial fall in the number of accidents at work and occupational illnesses, and a lasting improvement in prevention.
- 05 May 2005
France: Education reform legislation passed despite protests<#PDF_LINK>A new law on schools reform was passed by the French National Assembly in March 2005. It is to be fully implemented when the new school year begins in September 2006, despite numerous protests and demonstrations involving, in varying degrees, state education sector employees, parents and students.
- 05 May 2005
Greece: Job losses at Klonatex textiles group<#PDF_LINK>In October 2004, the Tricolan textiles plant - part of the Klonatex group - in Naoussa, Greece was closed with the loss of around 100 jobs, despite strikes and other protests in the local area. A package of measures was agreed to assist the redundant workers. Several months earlier, another Klonatex company in Naoussa, Klostiria Naoussis SA, was also threatened with closure, but the government intervened to save the jobs of its 585-strong workforce.
- 04 May 2005
EU Countries: Industrial relations in the steel industry<#PDF_LINK>In the two last decades, the steel sector in Europe has undergone important changes, marked by privatisation, internationalisation and concentration into a small number of large multinationals, accompanied by a transformation of working practices and major job losses in many countries. Looking at 16 countries, this comparative study examines: the recent development of the steel industry; changes in employment levels and practices; the organisation, activities and views of employers and trade unions; the position and role of governments; and the structure and content of collective bargaining.
- 04 May 2005
Germany: New agreement on job security signed for railway employees<#PDF_LINK>In late February 2005 a package of collective agreements on pay and job security was concluded for about 140,000 employees at Deutsche Bahn AG, Germany's major railway company. The settlement provides for protection against dismissal for all employees with at least five years' service until the end of 2010, and lump-sum payments worth EUR 50 for each month from July 2005 until June 2007. On 30 June 2007, there will be a general pay increase of 1.9%. In return, the trade unions have agreed to concessions that will allow Deutsche Bahn to reduce its labour costs by 5.5%.
- 04 May 2005
Germany: Modernisation of metalworking pay framework starts in four regions<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, a new pay framework was launched in four bargaining regions of the German metalworking and electrical industry. It brings pay formation up to date by assigning blue-collar and white-collar workers to pay grades on common principles. The use of adjustment fundsshould ensure that implementation of the scheme is cost-neutral at company level.
- 04 May 2005
Belgium: Prison officers strike<#PDF_LINK>In March-April 2005, strike action spread among Belgian prison officers in a dispute which was sparked by a court ruling over recent disorder at one prison, but became a focus for more wide-ranging grievances. Following a number of commitments made by the government, most but not all prison officers returned to work.
- 04 May 2005
Finland: Disputes over employers' right to change collective agreements<#PDF_LINK>Workplace-level bargaining ran into difficulties in several Finnish companies in the early months of 2005 due to attempts by employers to apply to their workforces different sectoral collective agreements than those that had previously governed their pay and conditions. Trade unions did not accept such changes and organised strikes in protest. Legal experts disagree over whether employers have the right to choose collective agreements to their liking.
- 04 May 2005
Austria: Social partners to negotiate working time flexibility<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, Austrian employers' organisations called for a revision of the current Working Time Act, with the aim of achieving greater flexibility. However, the social partners and government subsequently agreed that working time regulations should remain subject to collective bargaining, and the former agreed to negotiate by the end of 2005 a scheme to introduce flexible working time arrangements in sectors where they do not currently exist. Trade unions accept some further working time flexibilisation but strongly oppose employers’ proposals to abolish premium rates of pay for overtime.
- 04 May 2005
Cyprus: Social dialogue on winter suspension of hotel workers' employment<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, the Cypriot Ministry of Labour and the social partners met to discuss the implementation of a 2003 agreement on the temporary suspension of the employment of hotel workers during the winter season. The Ministry has identified a number of problems in applying the agreement and proposed a new procedure to remedy the situation.