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May 2007

• 31 May 2007
  EU Countries: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector

  This report examines the operations of social partner organisations and collective bargaining in the telecommunications sector. The first section gives an outline of the economic background of the sector. The second section describes the social partner organisations in all EU Member States except Sweden, focusing in particular on membership levels, role in collective bargaining and public policy, and national and European affiliations. The final part looks at the relevant European organisations, particularly their membership composition and their capacity to negotiate. The aim of the EIRO series of studies on representativeness is to identify the relevant national and supranational social partner organisations in the field of industrial relations in selected sectors. The impetus of these studies arises from the European Commission objective to recognise the representative social partner organisations to be consulted under the EC Treaty provisions. Hence, this study is designed to provide the basic information needed to establish sectoral social dialogue. The first objective of the study is to pinpoint the relevant national associations on both sides of industry. In this context, relevant associations are understood as sector-related social partner organisations in the sense that their membership domain includes the sector, and that they are either involved in sector-related collective bargaining or affiliated to a sector-related European organisation. The second objective is to examine the sector’s relevant European organisations.

• 31 May 2007
  EU Countries: Gender and career development

  This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area. Looking at the current European Union countries (with the exception of Sweden) and Norway, the study explores the extent to which career patterns are changing in response to the restructuring of work and organisations and how this impacts on women’s career experiences. It also examines the attitudes of the social partners regarding gender and career development. The study finds that although careers are changing in most countries, the nature of this change is best described as a gradual erosion of traditional work patterns, rather than a transformation which is likely to improve opportunities for women. Gender segregation remains a significant problem, despite women’s increased activity rates. Female-dominated part-time work, associated with poor opportunities for training and promotion, also persists. The study reveals that most trade unions have been proactive in campaigning on this topic and in increasing their members’ awareness of and ability to raise such issues with employers. However, it also shows that many employers appear to remain unconvinced about the need to prioritise gender and careers. While there are examples of some innovative attempts to tackle the problem, these often occur in isolation. In particular, translating legislation into practice at company level remains a significant problem.

• 30 May 2007
  France: Gender and career development — France

  This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area in France.

• 30 May 2007
  United Kingdom: Gender and career development — UK

  This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area in the UK..

• 28 May 2007
  Poland: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector

  The better part of the telecommunications market in Poland is controlled by Telekomunikacja Polska S.A. (TP S.A.) This statement refers to fixed-line telephones. As far as the mobile telephony market is concerned, there is no operator with a dominant position (the market shares controlled by each of the three mobile operators are comparable). TP S.A. also provides the only arena among telecoms operators where trade unions are functioning effectively. That said, the role of the trade unions in the decision-making process within TP S.A. is systematically being marginalised. This is the consequence of the privatisation of TP S.A., which is accompanied by job reductions in telecommunication. The penetration of unions is much lower than in the beginning of the 1990s. It is worth mentioning that trade unions are absent within the structures of mobile phone operators - even in the case of PTK Centertel, a TP S.A. subsidiary. This weakness of the trade unions has some important implications, most notably low relevance of collective agreements in the sector.

• 28 May 2007
  Sweden: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector — Sweden

  The telecom sector in Sweden is characterised by a large share of small companies and many self-employed. The number of companies and employment in the sector has increased slightly over the past three years. There is no specific union for the telecom sector, however the largest union, SIF, is estimated to represent slightly less than half of all employees in the sector. On the employer side Almega is the main organisation representing around two thirds of all employers. The sectors collective bargaining coverage is rather high, even tough no exact figures exist, in this report, it is estimated that is could be as high as 90%, considering that almost all larger companies in the sector are bound by collective agreements.

• 28 May 2007
  Luxembourg: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector — Luxemburg

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Luxemburg as of May 2006.

• 28 May 2007
  Netherlands: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector – Netherlands

  Statistical data the telecom sector appear to have a highly confidential character in the country. The Central Bureau for Statistics is not allowed to publish sector-related data. However, it appears that the number of companies in the sector has increased significantly over the last 10 years. There are a number of unions active in the telecommunications sector whose domains may overlap. On the employers’ side, ICT-Office is the branch association of IT-Telecom, office and internet companies in the Netherlands. Collective bargaining usually takes place at company level whereas density is very low on both sides.

• 28 May 2007
  Latvia: Teachers’ union pushes for higher wages

  Amendments to education legislation cancel the link between teachers’ wages and the minimum monthly wage. The Education and Scientific Workers’ Trade Union had made an agreement with the government that teachers’ pay would be linked to another objective economic indicator, such as the average monthly wages of public sector employees. As this agreement was not honoured, strike action may be considered by September 2007.

• 28 May 2007
  Netherlands: TNT Post to cut up to 7,000 jobs

  In April 2007, TNT Post announced a new reorganisation of the company, which will lead to the shedding of some 7,000 jobs by 2010. The need for restructuring has been fuelled by dwindling post volumes as well as liberalisation of the postal services market, bringing increased pressure on terms and conditions of employment. The trade unions and government are concerned at the scale of the job losses.

• 28 May 2007
  Netherlands: Labour force participation top of agenda in unions’ talks with new cabinet

  The three main trade union federations have proposed their points of interest for the participation dialogue with the Dutch cabinet. Both the social partners and cabinet agree that increasing the level of labour force participation is an important issue. However, differences of opinion arise on which other items of the proposed agenda are relevant for discussion. Employer organisations have noted the absence of dismissal protection in particular on the trade unions’ agenda.

• 28 May 2007
  Netherlands: Anonymous job application trial to be extended due to success

  The initial results of a controversial trial involving anonymous job applications in the Nijmegen area have proved favourable for people of foreign extraction. Results reveal that foreign workers have a better chance of being invited for an interview when their applications are anonymous. Due to its success, the trial is now being extended. Although employers believe that foreigners should have the same opportunities in principle, this does not appear to be reflected in practice.

• 28 May 2007
  United Kingdom: Trade union concern over government department’s regional pay proposals

  In March 2007, a government department put forward proposals for a new regional pay system for workers employed in courts of justice in England and Wales. These have proved controversial and have been criticised as creating a ‘north–south’ pay divide by the largest trade union organisation in the civil service. However, the proposals reflect the adoption of zonal pay arrangements elsewhere in the public services and in the private sector.

• 28 May 2007
  United Kingdom: Ford announces plan to close UK foundry

  In March 2007, the Ford motor company announced that it will close its foundry in Leamington Spa in Warwickshire in July with the loss of 365 jobs. According to the company, the plant, which makes parts for Ford vehicles, had become uncompetitive. The trade unions declared their opposition to the closure, but workers voted not to take industrial action and to accept the enhanced pay-offs offered by the company to maintain uninterrupted production until the site closes in July.

• 28 May 2007
  United Kingdom: TUC promotes business benefits of unions to employers

  In April 2007, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) launched an information campaign, targeting small and medium-sized non-union enterprises, to promote the business benefits of union involvement. The move comes against the backdrop of a further fall in union membership. The TUC hopes that this marketing drive will encourage smaller employers to reach recognition deals with unions.

• 28 May 2007
  Latvia: Rise in minimum wage and tax-free threshold

  Since 1 January 2007, the minimum wage in Latvia has been raised by 33% from €128 to €170 a month. In addition, the monthly tax-free threshold and the tax allowance for calculating personal income tax have also been increased. The issue of increasing the minimum wage and the tax-free threshold has been a constant focus of the trade unions. As the country’s labour market situation is becoming more difficult, employers are also starting to support moves to increase the minimum wage and tax-free threshold.

• 28 May 2007
  Greece: New agreement at electricity supply company

  In late June 2006, the Public Power Corporation (DEI) and the DEI General Staff Federation signed a new company-level collective agreement for 2006–2007, which was the result of an intense bargaining round as well as industrial action. The new agreement increases pay scales and the length of service allowance. It also regulates the employment of new staff, raises the social wage and establishes a new committee responsible for defining staff transferability rules.

• 28 May 2007
  Italy: Agreement on staff mobility signals recovery for Fiat group

  In February 2007, the Italian government, Fiat management and trade unions signed an agreement providing for long-term mobility arrangements for 2,000 employees in the group. The agreement marks the conclusion of Fiat’s recovery process, following the company’s financial difficulties at the start of the decade.

• 28 May 2007
  Greece: Court ruling stirs up controversy over employment of contract workers

  In November 2006, the plenary session of the Court of Auditors issued an important decision. According to the decision, the civil courts are not deemed competent to judge the nature of contract workers’ employment relationships. This ruling will affect about 200,000 employees.

• 28 May 2007
  Greece: Employer federation proposes bolstering welfare state through constitutional reform

  The leading employer organisation, the Federation of Greek Industries (SEV), has submitted its proposals for the revision of the Constitution. SEV’s positions on the upcoming constitutional revision are divided into three parts, which include the strengthening of the social welfare state. Among its proposals, SEV suggests the establishment of private universities in Greece as part of modernising the education system.

• 28 May 2007
  Greece: Social partners criticise new law on social insurance debts

  A new insurance law contains more favourable terms for the settlement of debts to the Social Insurance Foundation (IKA), allowing for an increased number of instalments as well as discounts on additional taxes and charges. However, both the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Economic and Social Council (OKE) are opposed to this easing of the legislation.

• 28 May 2007
  Hungary: Last-minute agreement on annual wage recommendation for 2007

  As a consequence of the austerity package introduced by the government last year, this year’s national-level wage bargaining round was extremely protracted, with an agreement only being concluded at the end of January 2007. A series of eight sessions of the National Interest Reconciliation Council on the wage negotiations took place before an agreement was finally reached.

• 28 May 2007
  Ireland: Unions oppose government plan to transfer electrical transmission assets

  A government plan to transfer the transmission assets of the state-owned Electricity Supply Board (ESB) to another state-owned company has met with strong resistance from the trade unions. The plan has been proposed by the government in a bid to boost competition in the electricity sector.

• 28 May 2007
  Italy: Under new agreement call centre workers to get standard employment contracts

  In December 2006, the Italian trade unions of the telecommunications sector and the Almaviva Group signed a historic agreement to hire 6,500 temporary workers, who currently hold freelance work contracts, on open-ended employment contracts. The trade unions welcomed the agreement and hope that it will be extended to workers of call centre companies.

• 28 May 2007
  Italy: Local agreement aims to restore social concertation in Milan

  On 20 February 2007, the municipality of Milan and three trade union confederations signed a preliminary agreement, which committed the parties to promoting a new system of industrial relations. This new system aims to re-launch the local-level concertation and involvement of the trade unions in relation to the main policy decisions taken by Milan’s municipal administration. Reactions to the agreement have so far been largely positive.

• 28 May 2007
  Greece: Workers take strike action to prevent privatisation of port operations

  The government’s decision to hold an international competition to privatise operations of the Piraeus and Thessaloniki port authorities sparked opposition from the Federation of Greek Port Workers. Since November 2006, port workers have refrained from working overtime and on weekends, thus creating major problems in the country’s two biggest commercial ports. To resolve the situation, the Ministry of Mercantile Marine proposed a set timeframe for consultation with the social partners.

• 28 May 2007
  Greece: Union submits proposals for revision of Constitution

  In early January 2007, the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) submitted its proposals for revision of the Greek Constitution to the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and parliamentary party leaders. Along with its proposals, GSEE also expressed its views on issues relating to the support of workers’ social rights.

• 28 May 2007
  Greece: Landmark ruling gives men same right to early retirement as women

  Following a landmark decision taken by the Greek administrative courts, male workers will now be eligible to opt for early retirement at the same retirement age stipulated for women, provided that they meet the same conditions. As a result, concerns have been raised that the court decision may revive the discussion on whether or not women and men should be granted the same retirement age.

• 28 May 2007
  France: Controversy over 39-hour week in hotels and restaurants sector

  On 17 October 2006, the Supreme Administrative Court cancelled the measures granting a 39-hour week in the hotels, restaurants and catering sector. This decision received a mixed reaction among the social partners. However, on 25 October, the parliament temporarily restored these measures until a new collective agreement is signed in 2007.

• 28 May 2007
  France: CFE-CGC seeks to increase membership levels

  The French Confederation of Professional and Managerial Staff (CFE-CGC) held its thirty-third congress in December 2006. The congress stated its determination to develop the organisation and membership of the union, in order to ‘bring more meaning to a world which has lost its bearings’. Moreover, the president of CFE-CGC called for debate on the need to ensure better security over the career path.

• 28 May 2007
  France: Ban on smoking in public places and at work

  Effective from the start of February 2007, the French government introduced a smoking ban in public places like offices, schools and public buildings. Other public spaces such as restaurants, nightclubs and some types of bars have been permitted time to adjust to the new law and can delay applying the order until January 2008. Opinion polls reveal that the majority of employees are in favour of the ban, even though there is some resistance to it from the business community.

• 28 May 2007
  France: Deadlock in civil service pay negotiations

  In spite of a day of action on 8 February 2007, called for by the majority of civil service trade unions, the government has still refused to open negotiations on pay in the civil service. Increases in 2006 simply maintained public servants’ purchasing power and no increases have been announced for 2007.

• 28 May 2007
  Austria: First collective agreement for universities signed

  In 2002, Austrian universities were given the right to bargain as a result of their change of status from public authorities to that of corporations with legal capacity. After four years of negotiations, the National University Federation and the Union of Public Employees concluded the sector’s first collective agreement, which is expected to come into effect by 2008.

• 28 May 2007
  Germany: Incomes of top managers increase by up to 20%

  In 2006, the annual average income of Germany’s top managers increased on average by 16% to 20%, according to the company reports of Germany’s 30 leading public limited companies. Increases varied between 1.36% and 76.86%. While a new law requires companies to give precise information on an individual basis, experts criticise company reports for still concealing the total amount of top managers’ salaries by not revealing information about all financial arrangements.

• 28 May 2007
  Germany: Traineeships: a barrier or stepping stone to employment?

  In April 2007, the Higher Education Information System published a study which refutes the assumption that a whole generation of graduates cannot find proper employment, forcing them to work as trainees for a long period of time. The Confederation of German Trade Unions claims that young professionals need protection from precarious employment relationships, while the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations claims that the majority of graduates work as regular employees.

• 28 May 2007
  Germany: Social partners point to pitfalls in business start-up subsidy scheme

  In April 2007, the Institute for Employment Research published new research results on the effectiveness of public subsidies that are granted to business start-ups by the Federal Employment Agency. The social partners maintain that unemployed persons need to be assisted in their efforts to escape unemployment. However, certain labour market measures may be prone to malpractice or abuse and therefore, their application should be reconsidered.

• 28 May 2007
  France: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector – France

  Industrial relations in the telecommunications sector in France are marked by the situation that existed before the process of liberalisation and privatisation. They are dominated by one major company (>90% employment), France Telecom, and one particular category of employees, namely those with civil service status. The unions are highly fragmented and heterogeneous. In spite of these unfavourable conditions, there is much collective bargaining, which is also making progress at the level of this recently developed sector.

• 22 May 2007
  Portugal: General Workers Union criticises EU Green Paper on labour legislation reform

  At the end of March 2007, the General Workers’ Union (UGT) published its position on the EU Green Paper on the reform of labour legislation. UGT criticises the idea of importing the Danish ‘flexicurity’ model and argues that each country must find its own specific model. The idea of achieving flexibility through labour law is also highly criticised. According to UGT, external flexibility – with all its negative consequences – already exists in the form of outsourcing work, sometimes even abroad. Meanwhile, internal flexibility must be improved, but through collective bargaining.

• 22 May 2007
  Portugal: CGTP to take strike action in protest at government policies

  In early April 2007, the National Council of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) announced a ‘generalised’ strike on 30 May. The last general strike held by CGTP took place in 2002, in protest against the Labour Code launched by the centre-right government. This time, the main reasons for the industrial action concern the general policies of the socialist government and the fight against ‘flexicurity’.

• 22 May 2007
  Portugal: Public sector strikes announced for May

  In April 2007, the Common Front of Public Administration Unions announced its decision to initiate two strikes in the public sector in May. The first strike will involve workers at the Ministry of Agriculture, while the second protest will concern all public sector workers at national level, forming part of a ‘generalised’ strike which the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers has announced for the same day.

• 22 May 2007
  Portugal: Trade and Services Confederation supports EU Green Paper on labour legislation reform

  The Portuguese Trade and Services Confederation (CCP) agrees with the concept of flexicurity as outlined in the EU Green Paper on the reform of labour legislation. CCP’s main demands are the increase of working time flexibility, revision of the laws concerning individual dismissals and widening of the scope allowing the use of fixed-term employment contracts.

• 22 May 2007
  Slovakia: Air traffic controllers strike over poor safety measures

  In late February 2007, Slovakian air traffic controllers went on strike over the longstanding decline in air traffic safety. They demanded that measures be taken to improve the situation. Following negotiations, the worker representatives reached agreement with the Ministry of Transport, Post and Telecommunications to take the necessary measures to address the problems identified, thereby ending the strike.

• 22 May 2007
  United Kingdom: Steel union seeks assurances in Corus takeover

  The Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus is set to be taken over by the Indian conglomerate Tata, which raises concerns about the future of some of the companies’ UK sites. To date, there has been no clear indication of whether Tata intends to leave the acquired operations from Corus to their own devices, or whether it intends to reorganise production by removing certain functions from the UK.

• 22 May 2007
  Malta: Industrial dispute at Bank of Valletta

  A dispute has broken out between the General Workers’ Unions (GWU) and the management of the Bank of Valletta after the bank failed to grant GWU’s request for joint recognition. GWU appealed to the Union of Bank Employees (MUBE) to work together to create a strong united front in the upcoming negotiations for the new collective agreement. Although the majority of workers welcomed GWU’s proposal, MUBE refused the request.

• 22 May 2007
  Norway: Wage disparities for Polish workers in Norway

  Polish workers in Norway are being paid less than Norwegians and a considerable number of Poles are working illegally or in a grey area of the economy. Also, the labour market for Polish workers in Norway is clearly demarcated along gender lines, with men working in the construction sector while women are mainly employed to clean private homes. These are the findings of a survey carried out among Polish workers in the Oslo area in Norway in the final quarter of 2006.

• 22 May 2007
  Poland: Trade unions launch campaign for higher wages

  In March 2007, the two largest trade union organisations in Poland – the Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarity (NSZZ Solidarność) and the All-Poland Trade Unions Agreement (OPZZ) – launched a drive to secure higher wages. NSZZ Solidarność is pursuing its campaign under the slogan ‘Low wages – a barrier to Poland’s development’, while OPZZ has published posters emblazoned with the query ‘Who stole your 36%?’.

• 22 May 2007
  Portugal: Agreement on reform of vocational training aims to upgrade skills levels

  In March 2007, the Portuguese government and the social partners approved the agreement for the reform of vocational training. However, the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers did not sign the agreement, on the grounds that the commitments and guarantees it included were insufficient. The agreement defines strategic objectives as well as practical measures, introducing new tools and redesigning the institutional framework of vocational training.

• 22 May 2007
  Austria: Latest union merger part of ongoing process

  In December 2006, three small trade unions, representing employees in the railway sector and blue-collar workers in the commerce, transport, hotels and catering, and personal services sectors, merged their organisations, thus establishing the trade unioncalled vida. This merger marked the end of a series of union restructuring processes in 2006. However, the outcomes of such union merger activities remain unclear.

• 22 May 2007
  Denmark: New industry agreement marked by innovatory elements

  The first new collective agreement for 2007 was signed in Denmark at the end of February. The renewal of the agreement contains four significant changes in relation to: continuing training, strengthening of decentralised bargaining, ‘free-choice’ accounts and gender equality.

• 22 May 2007
  Finland: Several candidates in running for AKAVA presidency

  In light of four other nominations, the President of the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals (AKAVA), Risto Piekka, has announced that he will not stand again as a candidate for the presidency of the confederation. The open nomination of candidates has been welcomed by affiliated trade unions, as it compels those running for the election to prepare electoral campaigns and to outline their plans for developing the organisation.

• 22 May 2007
  Finland: Employers in favour of curtailing strike action

  Finnish employer organisations, Technology Industries and the Forest Industries Federation, have declared that the provisions concerning the right to strike are currently far too extensive. The two organisations have asked the new government to begin preparations for a renewal of the industrial peace system and that it should take place during the new government term 2007–2011.

• 22 May 2007
  Finland: Progress towards merger of industrial workers’ unions

  The director of the bargaining department in the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), Lauri Lyly, was appointed in December 2006 as spokesperson for a project aimed at assessing the viable future relations among six trade unions. The ensuing report recommends that a full merger is the most promising option.

• 22 May 2007
  Finland: Competitiveness of pay levels in the public sector

  The Director General of the Office for the Government as Employer, Teuvo Metsäpelto, has warned that the competition between the private and public sectors for skilled and well-educated employees will increase in the near future. During the 2007–2011 period, the government plans to recruit some 20,000 new employees into the public sector. At the same time, about 28,000 employees will retire.

• 22 May 2007
  Malta: Shipyard workers protest in support of suspended colleagues

  A number of workers were suspended from work at Malta Shipyards for having been found asleep during the night shift. This gave rise to an industrial dispute between the General Workers Union, representing the workers, and the management of the company. The minister concerned kept a very high profile during the dispute by making public statements of his full support for the management action. Although at first the dispute seemed to be heading towards open confrontation, eventually both sides resolved the matter by abiding by procedures.

• 22 May 2007
  Austria: Social partners agree on measures to combat social security fraud

  In April 2007, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and the Austrian Trade Union Federation agreed that employers should be obliged to register their employees with social insurance institutions before commencement of work. This measure has been devised to prevent the widespread practice of social security fraud, in particular among companies in the construction sector.

• 22 May 2007
  Belgium: New regulations to extend Sunday shop opening hours

  New regulations on Sunday shop opening hours, introduced by government, are causing tensions among the social partners in the retail sector. Previously, the social partners had shown a united front in rejecting the government plans. However, when the government went ahead with increasing the allowed number of Sunday openings a year, this united front crumbled, and the issue of wage compensation for the proposed Sunday openings came to the fore.

• 18 May 2007
  United Kingdom: Government to compensate workers for loss of pension following High Court ruling

  The government’s position on the winding-up of company pension schemes and the subsequent loss of pension benefits for thousands of workers has come under renewed criticism. In January 2007, the European Court of Justice ruled that successive UK governments had acted unlawfully in not implementing the European insolvency directive properly. In February, as a result of an unprecedented legal challenge, the government has been forced to reconsider what action to take in response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s findings of government maladministration.

• 18 May 2007
  Ireland: Gender and career development — Ireland

  This questionnaire examines the topic of gender and career development in Ireland as of October 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Malta: Gender and career development — Malta

  This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area in Malta.

• 18 May 2007
  Slovakia: Gender and career development — Slovakia

  Current career patterns are still influenced by the traditional career model, which limits many women and force them to adapt to this model. The result of such approach is the unequal access of women towards development of their career when compared with men. This has its implications in persistence of the sectoral and occupational segregation. Women are represented in the industry by 37.5%, only approximately 31 % of women are represented in such employment groups as: legislators, senior officials and managers, despite of the fact that they have similar university education as men. One of the biggest barriers in promoting gender equality in careers are the sex stereotypes. Other important barrier is the insufficient institutional security of gender equality in Slovakia. Also media do not pay enough attention to this issue. Social partners do not pay almost any attention to this specific issue.

• 18 May 2007
  Latvia: Gender and career development — Latvia

• 18 May 2007
  Lithuania: Gender and career development — Lithuania

  Though no special surveys have been carried out in Lithuania, the traditional career model seems to be more characteristic for women than for men. Despite quite active women’s participation on the labour market, their situation is considerably worse compared to men: a gender pay gap is nearly 20% in Lithuania; women are underrepresented in top management positions, politics, etc.

• 18 May 2007
  Romania: Gender and career development — Romania

  The outdated view of career progression, in the traditional sense (one individual, the same workplace for his/her entire working life, with a permanent employment) is on the brink of extinction, both in terms of work relations regulations and the mentality of the public at large. Since 1990 everything has changed in Romania; the system of education, employers, wages, forms of work organisation, the concept of social dialogue. The economic crisis, which for 10 long years seemed insurmountable, generated additional difficulties for women. Just like a pilot who on finding that the plane can no longer maintain altitude because of technical malfunctions, decides to throw out some of the luggage, women have been forced to give up their traditional functions: child bearing and raising and other household chores. Practically, they are much more focused on career progression than before and to this end, they are demanding equal rights. Theoretically the required regulations are in place, the new principles have been promoted and accepted by all social partners but in practice old mentalities die hard.

• 18 May 2007
  Netherlands: Gender and career development — Netherlands

  For thirty years the government has had a policy in place for promoting women in the higher ranks of organizations, companies and public bodies. Progress has been made, in particular in the last fifteen years. EU initiatives stimulated the Dutch government to increase its efforts and to formulate target figures. Important barriers have been overcome, others have shown to be persistent. The government and NGO’s have taken a leading role and individual employers participated. The social partners at central level have participated in developments.

• 18 May 2007
  Slovenia: Eiro comparative analytical report on gender and career development-The case of Slovenia

• 18 May 2007
  Austria: Gender and career development — Austria

  This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area in Austria.

• 18 May 2007
  Belgium: Gender and career development — Belgium

  Information is presented on how the industrial relations system in Belgium is concerned with the issue of gender and career development. Statistics are provided on occupational and sectoral distributions of employment. Policies on tackling vertical and horizontal segregation are summarized.

• 18 May 2007
  Bulgaria: Gender and career development — Bulgaria

  Traditionally Bulgarian women occupy positions in the economy and governance. They are offered carrier opportunities and development of skills. The carrier advancement is easier in industrial sectors where the female work force dominates. The market economy has offered new opportunities and choices to women. They are no longer bound to the traditional carrier development model, which remains widely entrenched. Women have become entrepreneurs or self-employed and take care for their own carrier paths. There are certain groups of the female population who are vulnerable on the labour market and need special protection to develop carriers. These are low-educated and low skilled women, rural women, young mothers and also persons with disabilities.“The glass-ceiling” in carrier advancement still exists. The majority of decision-making positions in governance and economy are occupied by men. Politics is also men-driven. There is a need for affirmative actions to foster women’ greater employment and carrier advancement.

• 18 May 2007
  Czech Republic: Gender and career development — Czech Republic

  The importance of equal opportunities and gender mainstreaming has risen in the Czech Republic during 1990s, but it is not still sufficiently supported. The attitudes in society change very slowly. Women still have worse position in the labour market as compared to men – their wages and career opportunities are lower. Unfortunately, social partners are not interested in this topic.

• 18 May 2007
  Germany: Gender and career development — Germany

  This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area in Germany.

• 18 May 2007
  Denmark: Gender and career development — Denmark

  This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area in Denmark.

• 18 May 2007
  Estonia: Gender and career development — Estonia

  Gender segregation on the labour market is quite evident in Estonia. Women are mostly employed in the tertiary sector; they are more often employed on a part-time job, and less often on management positions. The problems of gender segregation and gender equality are acknowledged by the state and to some extent by social partners also. However, employees have very little information about gender equalities in Estonia and the traditional stereotypes of the role of men and women are widely spread in the society.

• 18 May 2007
  Spain: Gender and career development — Spain

  The recent incorporation of women to job in Spain is related to the brief development of gender and career measures. The principal measures are centred in the possibility to combine family and job.

• 18 May 2007
  Hungary: Gender and career development — Hungary

  This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area in Hungary.

• 18 May 2007
  Luxembourg: Gender and career development — Luxemburg

  The traditional career model is still highly dominant. As regards to career advancement, the motivation to carry out a professional activity is particularly high for individuals who have the skills to get an “interesting” job. Even if the initial training divide between men and women is disappearing and that participation in vocational training courses at every age is henceforth the same for men and for women. Women are undoubtedly confronted with far more obstacles than men to gain access to continuing training and progress in their carrier. As in most other countries, there are differences in the structure of jobs performed by men and women. Part-time employment formed the essential part in the development of the female workforce in the 1990s. To bring the organisation of working time more in line with family life, part-time work registered a sizeable increase. Part-time work is particularly important in such sectors as retail, hotel and catering, mass merchandising, healthcare, recreational and cultural services, domestic services, etc. And it is precisely women who are more concerned by this form of employment.The social partners pay particular attention to the gender issue by setting up specific departments and developing policies and projects.

• 18 May 2007
  Norway: Gender and career development — Norway

  In Norway there are concerns about the systematic differences that exists between men and women when it comes to part-time working, a gender-segregated occupational patterns, and fewer women than men in companies' top positons. This is linked to the fact that women still have the main responsiblilites at home, and there are ongoing discussions on measures to even out gender differences in domestic resposiblities as well as measures to make the work-life balance easier. In additon to measures to increase the number of women in top posistions in companies/establishments.

• 18 May 2007
  Poland: Gender and career development — Poland

  The professional situation of Polish women has been steadily improving. To look at the remuneration indicators (with women coming closer to the pay levels achieved by their male colleagues) or at the increasing numbers of women working in managerial roles, there are grounds for concluding that the traditional arrangement whereunder men concentrated on professional careers while women worked in the household is showing signs of strain. If women do continue to devote more time to household responsibilities than men, this is probably due to factors of culture, awareness, and psychology, and any major changes in this respect will have to be of the evolutionary sort. In the context of their workplaces, meanwhile, women oftentimes put the brakes on their professional advancement through their own decisions – the tendency is for women to read for university degrees in the humanities to a degree incommensurate with actual demand for humanities specialisations in the job market.

• 18 May 2007
  Portugal: Gender and career development – Portugal

  This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area in Portugal.

• 18 May 2007
  Hungary: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector – HUNGARY

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Hungary as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  United Kingdom: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - UK

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in the UK as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Slovenia: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Slovenia

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Slovenia as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Ireland: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Ireland

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Ireland as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Finland: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Finland

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Finland as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Czech Republic: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Czech Republic

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in the Czech Republic as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Bulgaria: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Bulgaria

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Bulgaria as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Austria: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Austria

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Austria as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Belgium: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Belgium

  The aim of this sectoral representativeness study is to give a snapshot of the collective bargaining processes in the Telecommunications sector in Belgium. Tthe actors active at this level within the telecom sector (trade unions, employers association) have been involved in the elaboration of this study. In Belgium, half of the salaried workers covered by the telecom sector are Belgacom employees (the former public state-owned company). Currently (15 years after the privatisation of the sector) its social dialogue structure has particular features. Within the private sector, the collective bargaining process is carried on within the Joint Committee 218. This study aims to give information about the actors involved within these two separate collective bargaining structures.

• 18 May 2007
  Cyprus: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Cyprus

  This article constitutes Cyprus’s contribution to the EIRO sectoral representativeness study on telecommunications.

• 18 May 2007
  Germany: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Germany

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Germany as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Denmark: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Denmark

  The privatisation of the telecommunication sector in Denmark did not change much regarding representativeness of the organisations. Shortly before the fully privatisation Danish Telecom, now TDC, joined the largest employers' association in Denmark, Confederations of Danish Industries, DI, which continued collective bargaining with the traditional unions present in the sector. No problems of recognition arose in this connection. No tripartite bodies are formally involved in the social dialogue.

• 18 May 2007
  Estonia: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Estonia

  The telecommunications sector is not very big in Estonia (94 companies, 0.68% of all employees). There is one major representative of employees (Estonian Communication Workers´ Trade Union) and one major representative of employers (Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications) and it can be estimated that 77% of employees are covered with collective agreements at the moment. Nevertheless, there are no sector-wide or multi-employer agreements concluded and the membership of trade unions remains low. Laws do not set any criterias for the unions in terms of representativeness in order to conclude collective agreements or be consulted.

• 18 May 2007
  Spain: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Spain

  SPAIN: The telecommunications sector has very much changed in Spain since the 90’s. Up to then there was just one public company, Telefónica. From then on, the sector has been liberalised and many other companies have been created, but Telefónica is still the most important in all senses. Therefore, not many employer associations are in existence and collective agreements are negotiated at company level. Nevertheless, the presence of trade unions in the sector is very significant due to the importance of Telefónica and its influence. Trade Union affiliation in public companies has always been exceptional in Spain. Whereas the average of affiliation to trade unions in Spain is below the 15%, approximately 60% of the employees of Telefónica and the 20% of the employees of the telecommunications sector in general are members of a trade union.

• 18 May 2007
  Greece: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Greece

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Greece as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Italy: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Italy

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Italy as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Lithuania: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Lithuania

  There is only one sectoral trade union acting in the telecommunications in Lithuania, i.e., - Lithuanian Communication Workers Trade Union. In addition, there is no social partner in the telecommunications sector - an employers’ association - to represent the employers when signing a collective agreement. For these reasons the social dialogue in the sector is taking place only on a company level, and not a single sectoral collective agreement had been signed.

• 18 May 2007
  Latvia: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Latvia

  This study identifies the representational domain and relative importance of trade unions and employers’ organisations in the field of industrial relations in the Latvia’s telecommunication sector. At sectoral level, employees are represented by a single trade union - Communication Workers Trade Union, however there are some small trade unions which are partners in collective bargaining at company level. Telecommunication and IT companies and individuals are members of at least four organisations that represent their economic and professional interests. All of them position themselves as representatives at a sector level, but none fulfils functions of employers’ organisation. Due to lack of partner, sectoral social dialogue is not active and sector level collective agreements are not concluded. Trade union has asked assistance in Ministry of Communication.

• 18 May 2007
  Malta: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Malta

  This sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Malta as of May 2006.

• 18 May 2007
  Romania: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Romania

  There is practically no nationally representative employer organisation or trade union in the sector. There is no representative employer organisation at sectoral level. Trade union federations were set up at company level, actually inheriting the trade union structures prior to 1989. The main feature of these trade union federations is that 80% of members come from one single company. The privatisation and the restructuring process are generating a continuous decline in the number of employees and in the number of members for all trade unions in the sector.

• 18 May 2007
  Slovakia: Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - Slovak Republic

  Two trade unions and one employers association operate in the telecommunication sector and their domain overlaps this sector. These organisations represent mainly the biggest companies operating in the sector. The density of respective trade unions is relatively low and does not exceed 14 %. However, the density concerning telecommunications is nearly 27%. The membership in respective employers association is lower - approximately 11%. Collective agreements signed in the sector covers nearly 72 % of employee. Social partners cooperate in collective bargaining as well as in sectoral tripartite social dialogue.

• 17 May 2007
  Poland: Workers at Opel threaten strike action for pay increase

  Employees at Opel’s Gliwice plant in south-central Poland are among the best-paid workers in the country’s automotive industry. Nevertheless, the trade unions active at the plant consider that, in light of the company’s current financial status and the workforce’s commitment to its success, the remuneration terms drawn up three years ago are no longer appropriate. As a result, the trade unions are demanding a bonus for employees, threatening strike action if their demands are not met.

• 15 May 2007
  Netherlands: Age balance principle in collective redundancies

  In March 2006, the age balance principle came into effect regarding collective redundancies. The principle replaces the ‘last in, first out’ seniority-based principle with respect to restructuring. Trade unions are satisfied with the change as this will create more of a balance in cases of collective redundancy. The Social and Economic Council (Sociaal-Economische Raad, SER), which represents the social partners, will issue its recommendation in spring 2006 on the changes in dismissal law. However, the social partners are divided on this issue.

• 14 May 2007
  Sweden: Wage increase agreed for retail sector workers

  Before the Easter holiday period, the Commercial Employees’ Union and the Swedish Trade Federation agreed on a 12.6% wage increase over the next three years for about 120,000 retail sector employees. However, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise blocked the initial deal by preventing the Swedish Trade Federation from signing the agreement, arguing that it could damage the Swedish economy. The confederation claimed that important wage increases in a service sector could form the basis for the ongoing and upcoming collective bargaining rounds in 2007, instead of the usual wage rate in industry sectors. They argued that, in the end, it would put jobs at risk and lead to further outsourcing.

• 14 May 2007
  Luxembourg: Job retention plan to ease access to employment for redundant workers

  Given the differing views of trade unions and employer organisations concerning the new job retention plan, the Minister of Labour and Employment, François Biltgen, decided to explain the philosophy behind such an approach. Minister Biltgen outlines that the job retention plan aims to proactively promote the retention of workers in employment during company restructuring exercises and to avoid, as far as possible, the need to negotiate a redundancy scheme.

• 14 May 2007
  Malta: Industrial action due to restructuring averted at Maltacom

  The General Workers’ Union and the Union of United Workers have expressed their concerns about the current restructuring process underway at the Maltacom telecommunications group. Both unions hinted at resorting to industrial action, based on their claims that employees at the company were not being treated properly and sufficiently rewarded for their past work. However, industrial unrest was averted shortly after management explained its plans and intentions during a scheduled conciliation meeting.

• 14 May 2007
  Poland: Social partners sign social pact declaration

  The aspiration to draw up a new social pact with the social partners represents a central priority for the current government, led by Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński. Nevertheless, the project has failed to move beyond the initial stage of discussions for a considerable period of time. In recent months, however, some progress has been made on this issue, culminating in the signing of a declaration concerning the commencement of work on the social pact in April 2007.

• 14 May 2007
  Poland: Minister agrees to pay rise for police officers after threat of protest action

  An informal nationwide protest of police officers was called off when the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, Janusz Kaczmarek, agreed to demands for a pay increase. The threat of protest came after talks between the Trade Union of Police Officers and the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish police force had yielded no satisfactory results. Unions are satisfied with the government’s offer, particularly in light of the tight national budget for the current year.

• 14 May 2007
  Poland: Railway workers’ blockade ends in agreement

  In several cities across Poland, trade unions staged protests by blockading railway lines in their demand for higher wages. The organisers warned that, if no agreement was reached with the directors of the national railway operator, Polish National Railways (PKP), they would stage a warning strike, followed by a general strike. However, the workers’ protest ended in the conclusion of an agreement between railway unions and management. Meanwhile, the government has adopted two legislative draft acts which provide for the repayment of PKP’s substantial debts.

• 14 May 2007
  Portugal: Workers at mass rally demand change in government policies

  In March 2007, approximately 120,000 people took part in a demonstration organised by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers. It was hoped that this gathering would highlight the need for better working conditions and greater job security in the public sector. The main demands expressed relate to changes in the economic, budgetary and employment policies of the socialist government – a government that has been in power for two years now. The turnout for the demonstration was considered to be one of the highest in the last two decades.

• 14 May 2007
  Sweden: New tax incentive for employers to create more jobs

  On 1 January 2007, the Swedish government initiated a new labour market policy to encourage employment of long-term unemployed people, young people and immigrants. The so-called ‘new-start jobs’ initiative offers reduced social security contributions or payroll tax to employers who provide work for people who have been unemployed for a period of six months to a year.

• 14 May 2007
  Belgium: European Court ruling over failure to transpose EU directive

  Under the 2002 European directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees, EU Member States were granted a period of three years to adopt national measures in compliance with the directive. Although the official deadline was set for 23 March 2005, Belgium has not yet transposed the directive into its national legislation. As a result, the country was recently found guilty by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for its failure to comply with the directive. A critical issue which has prevented agreement and the directive’s transposition is workers’ representation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – an issue on which employer organisations and trade unions have adopted different stances.

• 14 May 2007
  Denmark: New job creation initiative proves successful

  Denmark’s current employment situation is highly favourable, with almost full employment in the spring of 2007. The country’s high employment rate can partly be attributed to a new job creation initiative aimed at securing employment for redundant workers. One group of workers who have already benefited from such an initiative consists of the 1,500 abattoir workers who were made redundant during 2006, after the abattoir group Danish Crown closed its plants in Odense and Grindsted.

• 14 May 2007
  Lithuania: Rapid growth in membership of public sector unions

  Lack of progress in improving the social and economic working conditions of public sector employees is leading to increased unionisation in Lithuania’s public sector. Between February and April 2007, a number of new trade unions were established by various public sector bodies. This followed a decision by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania which was deemed unfavourable by civil servants in relation to their remuneration for work.

• 07 May 2007
  Germany: Women still underrepresented on works councils

  In the 2006 rounds of works council elections, an increasing number of young women stood for election. Nevertheless, women remain underrepresented, particularly on the works councils of small and medium-sized enterprises. These findings are based on research from a social research office in Kassel, which was funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation. The qualitative study revealed that the new female candidates often came from administrative office jobs. Moreover, the study’s findings also showed that women in top positions on the works council often introduce a more cooperative way of working.

• 07 May 2007
  Estonia: Reduction in labour dispute claims due to financial cap

  Recent findings indicate that the number of claims brought before labour dispute committees in 2006 fell by 11.2% compared with the previous year. The reduced number of claims is attributed to the setting of a financial ceiling of EEK 50,000 (approximately €3,196) on labour dispute claims.

• 07 May 2007
  Finland: Growth in unionisation among clerical staff at Nokia

  According to trade unions, the trade union density level among upper clerical employees at the multinational group Nokia has increased rapidly in recent years. Currently, the trade union density of this group of employees is estimated to stand at about 70%, compared with just 30% prior to 2003.

• 07 May 2007
  Finland: Social partners formulate employment plan for new government

  The employer organisations and trade union confederations prepared a joint employment programme whcih they presented to the in-coming government. The programe contains a list of proposals which focus on enhancing labour mobility.

• 07 May 2007
  Ireland: Pension dispute at multinational manufacturing company

  In March 2007, a dispute broke out at Liebherr Container Cranes, one of Ireland’s oldest multinational manufacturing plants, over the management’s decision to implement changes to the traditional pension scheme. The workers’ protest took the form of a ban on overtime work from 13 March onwards, as well as two one-day strikes in March, with the prospect of further industrial action ahead.

• 07 May 2007
  Italy: Employment trends and maternity rights for women

  The gap between male and female employment in the 25–45 year age group has risen, according to findings of the latest report by the Institute of Political, Economic and Social Studies on childhood and adolescence in Italy, published at the end of 2006. One of the main reasons why women are leaving the workplace is childbirth. Moreover, the level of female employment declines with the birth of the first child and falls considerably after the birth of the second child.

• 07 May 2007
  Malta: Workers threaten industrial action at Maltapost

  A trade dispute was recently registered between the Union of United Workers and the management at Maltapost, Malta’s national postal service, in relation to the renewal of a collective agreement which had expired two years ago. During the negotiations, Maltapost’s management proposed certain procedural measures to be included in the collective agreement, but the trade union considered these to be unacceptable.

• 07 May 2007
  Norway: Financial services sector records highest wage growth

  New figures show that wage earners in Norway witnessed an average wage growth of 4.1% in 2006. The wage growth rate was highest among employees working in the financial services sector, where wages increased by 5.6% on average.

• 07 May 2007
  Romania: Trade union protests over job losses in Braşov County

  In early 2007, the Authority for State Assets Recovery announced that it would start liquidation procedures for a number of companies in the manufacturing sector, including Tractorul, Rulmentul and Nitramonia. The announcement generated protests on the part of trade unions in the city of Braşov in central Romania, and these continued even after an agreement was reached on key issues. The main grievances pertain to the content of restructuring programmes, the threat of collective redundancies and failure to pay outstanding wages.

• 07 May 2007
  United Kingdom: Government announces small rise in national minimum wage

  In March 2007, the government confirmed that it had accepted the recommendation from the Low Pay Commission that the national minimum wage should be increased from October 2007. The move will benefit over one million workers. However, amid fears of higher wages resulting in job losses, the announced increases are somewhat lower than for previous years. This has led to a mixed reception from the social partners.

• 07 May 2007
  Czech Republic: Unions at Škoda Auto threaten strike action for higher wages

  Trade unions at the country’s largest automobile manufacturer, Škoda Auto, are demanding a substantial salary increase. According to news reports, the trade unions are prepared to organise a general meeting with one-hour token strikes in all shifts if no agreement is reached on the pay rise. The chair of the Škoda union refused to rule out the possibility of a subsequent strike for an indefinite period of time should there continue to be no progress in reaching an agreement. A similar dispute in the company two years ago eventually concluded in a 7% pay increase.

• 07 May 2007
  Germany: Ongoing efforts to combat illegal employment

  The end of March 2007 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the federal Act to Combat Illegal Employment. Although successive federal governments have repeatedly increased efforts to combat illegal employment, findings from a recent study by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research highlight the significant extent of the problem. Illegal employment adversely affects not only the German economy as a whole, but also individual employees and employers. The government, trade unions and employer organisations collectively support efforts to reduce illegal employment by cooperating in joint campaigns against it.

• 03 May 2007
  Netherlands: Staff association loses court appeal over bank outsourcing

  In February 2007, the ING bank outsourced its mail and document processing operations to the new company, Astron. Subsequently, a staff association at the bank appealed to the courts, claiming that Astron, which has also taken over a large number of ING’s employees, does not offer the same terms and conditions of employment as the bank. At the end of 2006, ING, Astron and the trade unions had reached agreement on the transition of around 800 employees due to the outsourcing operation. Following preliminary relief proceedings at the start of March 2007, the courts rejected the employees’ claim, thus recognising the legitimacy of the agreed social plan.

• 03 May 2007
  Spain: Draft bill opens the way for telework in public sector

  In order to promote a better work–life balance, the government has presented a draft bill paving the way for telework in the public sector. Under the government’s proposal, civil servants will be able to decide whether to work from home for up to 40% of their weekly working time or to work all the time in the office.

• 03 May 2007
  Netherlands: Towage workers strike in demand of wage increase

  At the end of February 2007, towage workers at Smit Internationale resorted to strike action, demanding an 8% wage increase. The company’s management board and trade unions failed to reach agreement in the collective bargaining rounds. The trade unions’ demands are high because they believe that the employees should share in the company’s success. However, the management believes that it is already being sufficiently generous. The towage workers initiated strikes lasting several days at a time. In the third week of March, agreement was reached on a process of arbitration.

• 03 May 2007
  Norway: LO president resigns following allegations of harassment

  In March 2007, the President of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), Gerd-Liv Valla, announced her resignation. Ms Valla decided to step down following accusations of harassment made by one of her employees at LO. The Deputy President of LO, Roar Flåthen, has since been appointed as the new president of the confederation.

• 03 May 2007
  Portugal: Trends in collective bargaining in 2006

  In February 2007, the General Workers’ Union (UGT) published a study examining trends in collective bargaining for 2006. The study found that the dynamics of negotiating collective agreements had improved, collective bargaining coverage had increased and a number of new issues regarding vocational training were taken into consideration. Nevertheless, in significant sectors, the negotiations remain at a standstill, and the results of wage negotiations were compromised by the government’s underestimation of the expected inflation rate.

• 03 May 2007
  Portugal: Unions express concern over rise in unemployment

  The Portuguese trade union confederations have commented on the data published in February 2007 by the National Statistical Institute concerning employment in the last quarter of 2006. They expressed their concern about the rise in unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment, and the increase of short-term employment contracts. The General Confederation of Portuguese Workers demands a change in the economic model of growth, which, at present, is based on low labour costs. Meanwhile, the General Workers’ Union emphasises that all measures concerning employment, training and labour market reintegration have to be re-examined.

• 03 May 2007
  Sweden: New agreement reached in manufacturing, mining and construction

  In March 2007, consensus was reached on a new three-year collective agreement for the manufacturing, mining and construction sectors between the relevant social partners. About 350,000 employees are set to be affected by the new agreement. Among the provisions of the agreement are amendments to the working hours’ regulation, an increase in the minimum wage, and a rise in real wages over a three-year period.

• 03 May 2007
  Austria: Union seeks greater autonomy from confederation

  At its general congress in January 2007, the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) approved new ÖGB statutes which entitle affiliated unions to establish themselves as societies with partial legal capacity. When the chair of the affiliated Union of Public Employees (GÖD) failed to be elected as a member of the new ÖGB board, he announced GÖD’s readiness to make use of this new possibility for achieving greater autonomy from the umbrella organisation, particularly in financial terms. However, the initiative has met with criticism from representatives of most of the other affiliated unions.

• 03 May 2007
  Belgium: Study claims social security system has deteriorated

  A study published by the Antwerp Centre for Social Policy Research concludes that the Belgian welfare system has lost its top position in Europe and is at risk of declining into a minimal social security system. According to the study, the country’s poverty rate is now higher than previously, while the gap between the economically active and inactive population has widened over the last decade. The research team points to the fact that benefits have remained at the same low level, whereas income levels are rising. The study has provoked considerable reaction from social and political figures, generating fresh debates about the ageing of the population and regarding the future of social security funding.

• 03 May 2007
  Estonia: Actions taken to curb undeclared wages

  In recent times, numerous measures have been taken by different organisations to combat the problem of undeclared wages in the Estonian economy. Most of these monitoring activities are undertaken by the Tax and Customs Board, but many employer organisations are also trying to curb the incidence of undeclared wages.

• 03 May 2007
  Spain: Gender equality plans to be part of company collective agreements

  The equality law recently approved by the government stipulates that the social partners must negotiate gender equality plans in companies with over 250 workers. The aim is to reduce the wage gap between women and men and to improve promotion prospects for women. Small companies are invited to do this on a voluntary basis.

• 03 May 2007
  Italy: Unions protest at further job cuts in energy company

  In January 2007, the energy company Eni announced its intention to cut 400 out of a total of 1,200 jobs at its petrochemicals complex at Gela in Sicily. The dismissals take place between 2007 and 2010, during which time the company will put into action a plan to modernise the Sicilian refinery through investments in technology and automation. The trade unions reacted immediately by threatening a general strike and inviting the company management to rethink its strategy.