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July 2005

• 29 Jul 2005
  Sweden: Government proposes stronger protection for fixed-term employees and workers on parental leave

  In April 2005, Sweden's minority Social Democrat government and the parties with which it cooperates in parliament proposed new legislation to ensure stronger rights for fixed-term employees and better protection for workers on parental leave. The aim is to both strengthen the rights of individual employees and make the rules less complicated. The proposals are based on recommendations made by a government-appointed labour law commission in 2002.

• 29 Jul 2005
  Spain: New procedure introduced for extending collective agreements

  A Royal Decree issued in Spain in June 2005 has established a new procedure for the extension of collective agreements to cover areas of employment without an agreement due to the absence of one of the parties authorised to bargain. Workers who are not covered by an agreement may thus be brought within the scope of a similar agreement, through a procedure overseen by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs at the request of authorised social partners.

• 29 Jul 2005
  Netherlands: Pensions remain key issue in collective bargaining

  Pension-related issues have featured strongly in the 2005 collective bargaining round in the Netherlands, as they did in 2004. Employers are cutting the costs of early retirement schemes and at a number of companies pension risk is being shifted towards the employees. Meanwhile, the financial position of occupational pension funds has improved significantly, while the government has announced its intention to introduce a new Pension Act.

• 29 Jul 2005
  Netherlands: Workers from new EU Member States undeterred by restrictive policy

  The Dutch government is pursuing a restrictive policy on the free movement of workers from the new EU Member States in central and eastern Europe. Despite this, over 2004-5 their numbers have swelled - especially those from Poland. The restrictive policy is also leading to increasing numbers of self-employed individuals and illegal workers. Recent legislation means that all employees seconded from abroad will henceforth fall within the scope of Dutch collective agreements.

• 29 Jul 2005
  Spain: Work-life balance in collective bargaining examined

  According to research published in 2005, in Spain centralised collective bargaining at sector level favours the inclusion in agreements of provisions on work-life balance issues, whereas decentralised bargaining favours dispersion and an unequal treatment of the subject. Furthermore, EU Directives in this area have played an important role in introducing the subject of work-life balance onto the Spanish bargaining agenda

• 28 Jul 2005
  Poland: New rules for adjusting national minimum wage

  In July 2005, the lower house of the Polish parliament approved new rules for adjusting the national minimum wage, whereby it will increase by forecast inflation plus two-thirds of the GDP growth rate, until it reaches half of the national average wage. Trade unions are pleased with the decision, but employers' organisations are opposed, arguing that it will only foster high unemployment. At the same time, the government is seeking to introduce an alternative scheme whereby the net value of the minim wage will be increased by cuts in tax and social contributions.

• 28 Jul 2005
  France: New government announces emergency employment plan

  In June 2005, France's new Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, presented an emergency employment plan, against a backdrop of rising unemployment. The plan has three main strands: recruitment by small businesses; a return to work for long-term unemployed people; and access to employment for young people and the over-50s. One of the flagship measures, and the most controversial for trade unions, introduces a new type of open-ended employment contract for new recruits in smaller firms.

• 28 Jul 2005
  France: Report examines bargaining under the 2004 social dialogue reform law

  The French Ministry of Employment’s 2004 annual report on collective bargaining, published in June 2005, is the first since a May 2004 law reforming the rules for social dialogue. Not all the effects of this law, which significantly amended the way in which collective bargaining is structured, have yet emerged, and the new rules are fuelling important debates between the social partners.

• 28 Jul 2005
  Belgium: Sectoral bargaining continues

  Bargaining over new sectoral collective agreements for 2005 and 2006 had been completed in many industries in Belgium by July 2005. Pay increases were the main point of contention, but automatic indexation of wages has been left intact, as have early retirement schemes.

• 28 Jul 2005
  Romania: Revised Labour Code adopted

  A government Emergency Ordinance, published in July 2005, has brought into force a revised Labour Code in Romania. The Code has been amended, partly to bring national legislation into line with EU law, in areas such as fixed-term contracts, dismissals and redundancies, working time and training. The amendments follow lengthy negotiations with representative trade union and employers’ organisations.

• 28 Jul 2005
  Greece: New employee status and voluntary exit scheme agreed at OTE

  In late May 2005, the management of Greece's OTE telecommunications group signed a controversial enterprise-level collective agreement with the OME-OTE trade union. The deal provides a change in the status of OTE employees, with new recruits no longer having special permanent status and instead being employed on the basis of normal employment law. In parallel, at the end of June parliament passed legislation on a voluntary exit scheme for OTE staff, laying down the terms and conditions for the early retirement of a large number of employees.

• 27 Jul 2005
  Germany: Award recognises family-friendly companies

  In May 2005, the German government presented awards to the companies that had won a national competition - supported by trade unions and employers' associations - entitled The family as a factor of success - the business competition 2005. The awards are designed to recognise firms that are leaders in promoting a positive work-life balance for their employees through company policies and benefits.

• 27 Jul 2005
  Germany: New package of agreements signed in printing industry

  In June 2005, the bargaining parties in the German printing industry reached a deal on a new package of collective agreements covering some 200,000 employees. The parties agreed to continue the 35-hour working week in western Germany at least until the end of 2009, but will allow for more working time flexibility. The agreement also provides workers with a lump-sum payment worth EUR 340 for 2005 and a general pay increase of 1% with effect from 1 April 2006.

• 27 Jul 2005
  Ireland: ICTU conference points to seventh successive national pact

  The two-yearly delegate conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which took place at the end of June 2005, has laid the foundations for the conclusion of a new national social partnership pact at the end of the year. All the building blocks are seemingly in place, though some dissenting voices remain.

• 27 Jul 2005
  United Kingdom: Ethnic minorities still disadvantaged in employment

  Research published by the Trades Union Congress in July 2005 finds slow progress in closing the employment gapbetween white and ethnic minority workers in the UK. This is despite evidence from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development suggesting that employers are experiencing difficulties in recruiting workers. It also comes at a time when race equality is high on the government’s policy agenda.

• 27 Jul 2005
  Finland: Industrial relations strained by paper sector conflict

  A difficult collective bargaining round in the Finnish paper industry, concluded in July 2005, has considerably increased tensions between the social partners and, to a lesser degree, among blue-collar trade unions. The dispute may also have wider consequences for the national industrial relations system.

• 27 Jul 2005
  EU Level: ILO holds 93rd conference

  The International Labour Organisation met for its annual conference in May-June 2005. It discussed a range of issues, including youth employment, the elimination of child labour in small mines and quarries, globalisation and decent work for all, health and safety and forced labour.

• 27 Jul 2005
  EU Level: International framework agreement concluded at EADS

  An international framework agreement was concluded in June-July 2005 between the European Works Council and management at the European defence company EADS. It commits the company to adhering to a range of ILO Conventions and other international instruments in order to ensure a fair and decent working environment for its workforce worldwide.

• 27 Jul 2005
  Norway: Consensus reached on new pensions system

  In May 2005, a resolution setting out the main principles on which a new national pensions system is to be built was approved by the Norwegian parliament, which also agreed that all wage earners will be entitled to an occupational pension through employment. The resolution is based on a broad compromise between the centre-right coalition government and key opposition parties, and is approved in principle by the central social partner organisations.

• 27 Jul 2005
  United Kingdom: Employers and unions respond to proposed improvements to parents’ and carers’ rights at work

  A public consultation exercise on extending the statutory rights of parents and carers to paid leave and flexible working closed in the UK in May 2005. This article outlines the government’s proposals and the social partners’ responses.

• 22 Jul 2005
  Slovenia: 2004 Annual Review for Slovenia

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Slovenia during 2004.

• 22 Jul 2005
  Sweden: 2004 Annual Review for Sweden

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Sweden during 2004.

• 22 Jul 2005
  Slovakia: 2004 Annual Review for Slovakia

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Slovakia during 2004.

• 22 Jul 2005
  Romania: 2004 Annual Review for Romania

  This record reviews 2004's main developments in industrial relations in Romania.

• 21 Jul 2005
  Poland: 2004 Annual Review for Poland

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Poland during 2004.

• 21 Jul 2005
  Netherlands: 2004 Annual Review for the Netherlands

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in the Netherlands during 2004.

• 21 Jul 2005
  Latvia: 2004 Annual Review for Latvia

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Latvia during 2004.

• 21 Jul 2005
  Portugal: 2004 Annual Review for Portugal

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Portugal during 2004.

• 21 Jul 2005
  Luxembourg: 2004 Annual Review for Luxembourg

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Luxembourg during 2004.

• 20 Jul 2005
  France: 2004 Annual Review for France

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in France during 2004.

• 20 Jul 2005
  Lithuania: 2004 Annual Review for Lithuania

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Lithuania during 2004.

• 20 Jul 2005
  Spain: 2004 Annual Review for Spain

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Spain during 2004.

• 20 Jul 2005
  Greece: 2004 Annual Review for Greece

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Greece during 2004.

• 15 Jul 2005
  Denmark: 2004 Annual Review for Denmark

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Denmark during 2004.

• 15 Jul 2005
  Italy: 2004 Annual Review for Italy

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Italy during 2004.

• 15 Jul 2005
  Hungary: 2004 Annual Review for Hungary

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Hungary during 2004

• 14 Jul 2005
  Belgium: 2004 Annual Review for Belgium

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Belgium during 2004.

• 14 Jul 2005
  Finland: 2004 Annual Review for Finland

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Finland during 2004.

• 14 Jul 2005
  Germany: 2004 Annual Review for Germany

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Germany during 2004.

• 14 Jul 2005
  Cyprus: 2004 Annual Review for Cyprus

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Cyprus during 2004.

• 14 Jul 2005
  Estonia: 2004 Annual Review for Estonia

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Estonia during 2004.

• 14 Jul 2005
  Bulgaria: 2004 Annual Review for Bulgaria

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Bulgaria during 2004.

• 14 Jul 2005
  Czech Republic: 2004 Annual Review for the Czech Republic

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in the Czech Republic during 2004.

• 14 Jul 2005
  Malta: 2004 Annual Review for Malta

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Malta during 2004.

• 14 Jul 2005
  Ireland: 2004 Annual Review for Ireland

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Ireland during 2004.

• 14 Jul 2005
  Norway: 2004 Annual Review for Norway

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Norway during 2004.

• 13 Jul 2005
  Austria: 2004 Annual Review for Austria

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Austria during 2004.

• 13 Jul 2005
  United Kingdom: 2004 Annual Review for the UK

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in the UK during 2004.

• 11 Jul 2005
  Czech Republic: Wage convergence on the road to EMU

  This feature looks at the basic factors underlying wage fixing in the light of integrating the Czech economy into Europe’s internal single market by 2010. It compares wage levels in the Czech Republic with those in Germany and Austria in order to map the gradual convergence of Czech economic parameters (including wages) to those of the European Union. The information presented is based on the average wage in the Czech Republic in 2003, which was CZK 16,920 per month (EUR 531 per month). The comparison with Germany and Austria is based on wages in industry and services, which, according to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), were CZK 17,770 per month, or EUR 558 per month.

• 11 Jul 2005
  Spain: Social Consultation Agreement signed in Andalusia

  On 25 January, the Junta (government) of Andalusia, Employers’ Confederation of Andalusia (Confederación de Empresarios de Andalucía, CEA) and the trade unions UGT and CCOO signed the Sixth Social Consultation Agreement in this autonomous community for the period 2005-2008. The agreement marks the continuation of other regional agreements that, according to the signatories, have helped to create jobs and maintain a high and sustained economic growth in Andalusia (a region that is included in Objective 1 of the EU) over the last 10 years.

• 11 Jul 2005
  Poland: Restructuring: the role of social dialogue at regional and local level

  A recent study from the Warsaw School of Economics highlights the important role to be played by social dialogue at regional and local level in cases of restructuring. While the restructuring plan is initiated at national level, social dialogue at regional and local level could most effectively take account of the specific situation on the ground. The research indicates, however, that cooperation among the social partners at this level is poor.

• 11 Jul 2005
  Germany: Non-wage labour costs set to rise

  In May 2005, the Cologne Institute for Business Research (IW) published updated estimates of non-wage labour costs in Germany in manufacturing and mining and in the service sector. In the manufacturing industry, annual non-wage labour costs amounted to an all-time high of EUR 21,630 per employee in 2004. However, the ratio of these costs to direct compensation fell from 77.1% in 2003 to 76.6% in 2004, a decline attributable largely to a lower sickness rate for 2004. Overall, there were wide variations observable from sector to sector, with non-wage labour costs in the insurance sector almost three times high as those in the retail industry.

• 11 Jul 2005
  Romania: New National Agency for Equal Opportunities

  Romania’s National Agency for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (ANES), established on 1 January 2005, commenced operations on 1 March. The new 2004 Equal Opportunities Law, whose regulations give employer and trade union organisations the necessary capabilities to promote a gender policy and to resolve cases of discrimination, provided for the setting up of this ground-breaking institution.

• 11 Jul 2005
  Greece: Survey on workplace health and safety

  The Institute of Labour (INE) of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) have published a joint study assessing labour legislation regarding workplace health and safety, and, in parallel, have issued proposals for institutional and legislative changes aimed at improving the work environment.

• 11 Jul 2005
  Italy: Better work-life balance through collective bargaining

  A report published in January 2005 by the Italian food and agriculture organisation, Fai-Cisl, analyses the problem of balancing work and family life, the role of collective bargaining in regulating the issue, and the solutions proposed through certain company agreements signed by companies in the food sector.

• 11 Jul 2005
  Denmark: Seminar highlights flexicurity in the labour market

  During 2005, international focus has given particular attention to the Danish so-called flexicuritymodel. Against this background, the Ministry of Employment organised a seminar in June 2005, with the participation of Danish researchers in the field, aimed at identifying the special features of the Danish model and highlighting the links between flexibility and security in the Danish labour market. One of the interventions - presented by FAOS - points to the high degree of decentralisation in the Danish collective bargaining system as a factor underlying the trend towards flexicurity.

• 08 Jul 2005
  Italy: National collective agreement renewed for rail workers

  In June 2005, Italy's Fs railway group signed a new national collective agreement with trade unions representing rail workers. As well as providing for pay increases, the agreement deals with maintenance, security and logistics issues, with the aim of supporting the company's development plan.

• 08 Jul 2005
  Italy: Employment under threat from sofa industry crisis

  In June 2005, financial problems facing the Natuzzi group highlighted a crisis affecting the Italian sofa industry. Under the terms of an agreement between the government, local authorities, the company and trade unions, over 1,000 Natuzzi workers have been fully or partially laid off, on a temporary basis, under the wages guarantee fund scheme. The company has guaranteed that it will keep a high level of production in Southern Italy.

• 08 Jul 2005
  Norway: New wage figures published

  The Technical Calculating Committee on Wage Settlements published its second annual report on wage developments in Norwegian working life on 27 June 2005. Wage growth in the manufacturing industry is lower than earlier anticipated.

• 07 Jul 2005
  EU Countries: Developments in industrial action - 2000-4

  This record reviews developments in industrial action across the European Union - plus Bulgaria, Norway and Romania - over 2000-4. We find considerable differences between the countries in terms of the amount of industrial action, with Spain and Italy most strike-proneand Poland and Lithuania least, and a considerably higher average level of action in the oldMember States than the new. However, overall, levels are generally low in historical terms. Transport/communications and industry/manufacturing are the sectors most prone to conflict, followed by the broad public sector (notably healthcare/social work and education). The most common cause of industrial action is disputes over pay.

• 07 Jul 2005
  Finland: Paper industry conflict resolved

  The social partners in the Finnish paper industry finally concluded negotiations over new collective agreements on 1 July 2005, bringing to an end a six-week national lock-out of blue-collar paper workers by the Finnish Forest Industries Federation. A key issue in the conflict was the use of subcontracted labour.

• 07 Jul 2005
  Malta: GWU warns against job losses arising from Sea Malta's privatisation 

  The government is in the process of privatizing the national shipping line Sea Malta. The General Workers’ Union expressed its determination not to let the privatization agreement lead to job losses.

• 07 Jul 2005
  Cyprus: Discrimination against female casual employees in public sector

  In May 2005, the Equality Authority of the Ombudsman’s Office noted discrimination against female casual employees in the public sector, regarding current regulations on maternity leave.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Sweden: Employers call for changes to industrial action rules

  According to the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise - the country's main private sector employers' organisation - there is a growing lack of balance in the Swedish labour market. In a report issued in April 2005, the confederation proposed seven measures aimed at modernising the current rules on industrial conflict.

• 05 Jul 2005
  France: Fourth SNCF Strike This Year

  On 2 June 2005, four of the SNCF’s eight unions called for a national strike in defence of wages, jobs and the public service. They are also hostile to the company’s new freight plan.

• 05 Jul 2005
  France: Union Realignment in Banking & Insurance

  A new union federation for banking and insurance staff was set up in June 2005. It resulted from a merger between the previous CGT federation and the union created in late 2004 by former activists from the CFDT federation, and is affiliated to the General Confederation of Labour (CGT).

• 05 Jul 2005
  Austria: Potential for labour migration in border regions examined

  A study of the migration and commuter potential in the border regions Austria-Hungary-Slovakia-Czech Republic finds that a considerable number of employees of the neighbouring countries envisage working in Austria. However, only a few of those have already taken concrete steps in order to realise their plans. Austrian employees hardly consider migrating into the new EU Member States.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Germany: Gesamtmetall launched internet database for education and training

  On 3 June 2005, the new general manager of Gesamtmetall, Dr Heike Maria Kunstmann, launched the online database www.qualifizierung-ME.de. The database contains information on educational and training initiatives that are conducted by the employers’ associations in the electrical and metalworking industries.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Estonia: Problematic start of negotiations over national minimum wage for 2006

  In negotiations over the national minimum wage for 2006, conflicts between the social partners have appeared even before the negotiations have started. In June 2005, the employers’ central organisation declared that they would boycott the negotiations until the government takes a position on covering a deficit in Estonian health insurance budget.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Spain: Protests over fatal workplace accidents

  A number of fatal accidents in the Spanish shipbuilding and constructions sectors in May-June 2005 have led to strong protests by trade unions, which allege failure to comply with the Occupational Risk Prevention Law.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Latvia: Strike threats on the increase

  Strikes have not so far been common in Latvia, but in 2005 workers in a number of sectors appear to have become more willing to contemplate them. For example, in May and June, employees of judicial institutions and artists at the Latvian National Opera announced their readiness to strike to obtain pay increases.

• 05 Jul 2005
  United Kingdom: CBI opposes changes to statutory collective bargaining requirements

  During June 2005, the main UK employers’ organisation, the CBI, published a submission made in response to a government review of whether the scope of the statutory collective bargaining arrangements that can potentially be imposed on employers should be extended to include training and pensions issues.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Italy: Pay agreement reached for public sector workers

  In May 2005, after several months of negotiations, the Italian government and the trade union organizations representing public sector workers affiliated to Cgil, Cisl and Uil signed an agreement for the renewal of the national collective agreement on pay covering more than 3 million public employees. The main novelties of the agreement are pay increases linked to productivity and a proposed mobility plan.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Czech Republic: New legal regulation on work inspection 

  Starting from the beginning of July 2005, the new Work Inspection Act becomes effective. This Act represents a change in the system of inspection activities in the area of labour law. Under this Act, the Labour Offices, which until now have had this activity in their field of responsibility, will retain control of employment and employee protection in the event of employer insolvency. Adherence to other labour law regulations, including safety and protection of health at work, will now be the responsibility of the work inspection offices.    

• 05 Jul 2005
  Poland: The Change of Trilateral Commission Prerogatives

  By virtue of the amendment to the Old Age and Disability Pension Act, passed by the Sejm on 17 June, the benefits valuation indicator is going to be fixed annually by way of negotiations on the forum of the Trilateral Commission, regardless of the inflation rate, which is currently the basis for negotiating the valuation indicator. If the amendment gains approval of the upper house of parliament (the Senate) and the President, it will enter into force

• 05 Jul 2005
  Poland: Trade Unions at the polish Oils and Gas Company Call for Privatisation and Threaten to Strike

  The entities that form the Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG), a State Treasury Company, are currently holding protest referendums. Trade Unions claim privatisation of the company and launch of the PGNiG IPO already in July. The Ministry of State Treasury resists the pressure. Its representatives are trying to postpone the IPO until Autumn 2005.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Poland: Trade unions alarmed by proposed bank merger 

  In early summer 2005, a proposed merger between the German HVB and Italian UniCredito banking groups has aroused fears among trade unions representing staff at Polish banks owned by the two companies. The unions fear that merger will result in major job losses.  

• 05 Jul 2005
  Belgium: Tension at FNAC Belgium

  After weeks of conflict between management and unions, on 7 June last the personnel of the Belgian subsidiary of FNAC Group approved by an overwhelming majority a recovery plan that includes wage cost-cutting measures, but also an investment plan guaranteeing the opening of four new shops over the next five years.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Lithuania: Tripartite cooperation agreement signed

  On 13 June 2005, on the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Tripartite Council of the Republic of Lithuania, the government, two central employers’ organisations and three trade union organisations signed a tripartite cooperation agreement.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Lithuania: Signing of the first national bilateral agreement

  On 13 June 2005, the national associations of employers and employees signed the first national bilateral agreement in Lithuania on the application of The Methodology for the Assessment of Jobs and Positionsin enterprises and organisations.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Germany: New collective agreement signed in chemicals

  On 16 June 2005 the bargaining parties in the German chemicals industry agreed upon a new package of collective agreements. A 19-month pay agreement provides for a 2.7% increase, plus an additional flat-rate payment equivalent to 19 times 1.2% of a months salary. The flat-rate payment can be cut or cancelled for economic reasons if the parties at company level - ie the employer and works council - agree to do so. Furthermore a new agreement has been signed on increasing the number of apprenticeship places by 1.6% in 2006 and 1.7% in 2007.

• 05 Jul 2005
  EU Level: Electricity sector social dialogue committee meets 

  The European electricity social dialogue committee met for a plenary meeting on 22 June 2005, at which a range of issues were discussed, including employment, equality, corporate social responsibility and health and safety.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Romania: Agriculture unions launch protest actions

  Trade unions in Romanian agriculture have initiated protest actions, dissatisfied with the support given by the government to the sector and the effect that full restitution of land to former (pre-commmunist regime) owners will have on jobs in agriculture. The protests started out in the form of picketing outside the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Rural Development in April 2005 and continued with a protest march in June 2005. If the government does not invite them to participate in dialogue, trade unions have threatened to block the main customs points in July.

• 05 Jul 2005
  EU Level: Commission promotes safety in construction industry

  In June 2005, the European Commission launched a publicity campaign in the 10 new Member States, highlighting the need for safety in the construction industry.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Hungary: Government's pledges to cut taxes were consulted with social partners

  On 28 June 2005 at the Economic and Social Council the Prime Minister announced a new package of reforms of the tax system and of the minimum wage regulation.

• 05 Jul 2005
  EU Level: Restructuring Forum holds first meeting

  A new EU Restructuring Forum met for the first time in June 2005. The meeting was addressed by key figures from European social partner organisations and institutions. The debate focused on how to help minimise the negative effects of restructuring.

• 05 Jul 2005
  Ireland: Tesco’s partnership deal 'pre-empts' EU information and consultation Directive

  Tesco Ireland, which is part of the UK-based international supermarket chain, has unveiled a landmark new model of consulting worker representatives, incorporating three different layers of consultation and extensive procedures for resolving collective grievances.

• 04 Jul 2005
  EU Countries: Les relations industrielles dans la sidérurgie

  Le secteur de la sidérurgie en Europe a subi, ces vingt dernières années, d’importants changements marqués par la privatisation, l’internationalisation et la concentration en un petit nombre de grandes multinationales, qui se sont accompagnés d’une modification des pratiques de travail et d’importantes pertes d’emplois dans de nombreux pays. Passant en revue seize pays, cette étude comparative examine: l'évolution récente de la sidérurgie, les changements dans les niveaux et les pratiques d’emploi, l’organisation, les activités et les points de vue des employeurs et des syndicats, la position et le rôle des gouvernements, ainsi que la structure et le contenu des négociations collectives.