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September 2008

• 29 Sep 2008
  Italy: Government launches plans for reform of public sector employment

  Italy’s Minister for Public Administration and Innovation presented his programme of reform for public sector employment in June 2008. The most important measures include the remuneration system and the fact that career advancement will depend on productivity rather than seniority. Furthermore, it will be possible to dismiss workers who pretend to be ill and who refuse to be transferred to another office. At the same time, managers will have greater disciplinary powers.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Portugal: Deadlock in negotiations between management and unions representing airport ground staff

  In mid July 2008, Groundforce Portugal and the trade unions representing airport ground staff signed a protocol to implement the collective agreement and wage increase for employees. As a result, the trade unions called off planned strike action. However, the company responded with an emergency plan to deal with problems caused by the oil crisis, threatening to suspend various articles of the collective agreement and refusing to increase wages. Negotiations have thus ended in deadlock.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Malta: Collective agreement ends lengthy dispute at Malta College

  Relations between the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology and the Malta Union of Teachers were particularly strained during the academic year 2007–2008. The dispute arose over the signing of a new collective agreement and lecturers’ workloads. Relations further deteriorated in May 2008 when lecturers refrained from all other duties except lecturing. However, the deadlock finally came to an end in July 2008 when a new collective agreement was signed.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Denmark: EU Fixed-term work directive has limited effect at local level

  A new study shows that the EU Directive on fixed-term work has had a limited impact on employers’ recruitment strategies and employees’ working conditions in the local government sector. Moreover, the directive appears to have paradoxically reduced rather than increased labour market flexibility, as Danish employers are less likely to employ unskilled fixed-term workers due to increased bureaucratic procedures arising from the directive.

• 29 Sep 2008
  United Kingdom: Government to improve enforcement of rights for vulnerable workers

  In August 2008, the Vulnerable Worker Enforcement Forum issued its final report. The forum was set up by the UK government to examine the abuse of workplace rights and consider whether changes were required to existing employment law enforcement and support mechanisms. In response to the report, the government has announced a number of changes to strengthen the enforcement system.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Denmark: Longest strike in public sector ends with pay settlement

  After two months of industrial conflict in the early spring of 2008 over the renewal of collective agreements in the public sector, nurses as well as child and youth educators returned to work in June 2008. Healthcare workers also went on strike for a long period. Together, these three groups account for more than half of the employees in the public sector at local government level. The final settlements have triggered debate over the regulation of pay levels.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Hungary: Court revokes law on working time reduction in hazardous workplaces

  In July 2008, the Constitutional Court ruling to revoke the ministerial decree on the reduction of working time to a 36-hour week in hazardous workplaces came into effect. The court ruling affects at least 20,000 workers mainly in the metallurgy, chemicals and nuclear industries. The ruling was originally issued in February, giving legislators time to lay down a new regulation. Despite the four-month interval and the trade unions’ widely expressed concerns about a resulting workforce reduction, the government failed to devise a regulation to this effect.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Italy: Renewal of agreements for over three million workers

  During May and June 2008, a number of contractual negotiations were finalised, resulting in the signing of several national collective agreements in Italy. The renewed agreements concern almost three and a half million workers in temporary work agencies and in the economic activities of construction and woodworking, textiles, and hair and beauty care. Social partners expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, which furthers the principle of flexicurity.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Netherlands: Social partners put priority on tackling economic downswing

  Following a deadlock over the proposal to relax the country’s dismissal law, tripartite negotiations resumed when the issue was delegated to a special committee. In the latest round of talks, the social partners confirmed their commitment to finding solutions to the impending economic recession. Central issues included increasing labour market participation, incentives for extending the working life and calls for the postponement of an increase in value-added tax.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Poland: Employers and government favour stricter criteria for union representativeness

  The Polish legal system guarantees pluralism of trade unions at company level. In practice, this means that a dozen or more union organisations are active in some enterprises. Employers believe that this situation poses a significant barrier to effective social dialogue at company level, and they argue that the criteria determining the representative status of trade unions should be stricter. The Polish government supports this position.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Poland: Municipal police officers represented by new trade union

  A new National Section of Community and Municipal Police Officers was established within the Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union ‘Solidarity’ in June 2008. The stated goal of this organisation is to protect the rights of municipal police officers, who are employed by local authorities and lack many of the benefits enjoyed by members of the national police force – including the option of early retirement.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Estonia: Trade unions protest at planned lay-offs in railway transport

  The state-owned Estonian Railways has announced that it is to reduce its workforce to 1,850 employees by the end of 2008. This is the second large redundancy measure announced by the company in the last year. The sectoral trade union representing employees in the company warned that the move could be detrimental to safety in railway transport due to a large increase in workloads for the remaining employees. As a result, new industrial action is being planned for the autumn of 2008.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Finland: National Conciliator criticises use of sympathy strikes

  Finland’s National Conciliator, Juhani Salonius, has criticised the ‘solidarity’ and sympathy strikes staged by workers and trade unions. In response, the trade unions have accused Mr Salonius of aligning himself with the employers and insist that the current provisions concerning the right to strike should not be altered. Mr Salonius has also criticised the lack of consensus in relation to rules on protected work and does not agree that strike fines should be increased.

• 29 Sep 2008
  Greece: Social partners protest against rise in cost of living

  Social partner representatives have expressed their strong discontent over the government’s failure to control the increases in the cost of living that have been affecting the Greek economy this year. As indicated also in a report by the European Commission, the consequences of increases in oil prices and raw materials for basic products have been more pronounced for the Greek economy than elsewhere in the Eurozone. Employee representative bodies organised a protest demonstration on 19 June, while the main employer representative body SΕV stated that it shared the concerns of the employee representatives.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Norway: Norway: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  The year 2007 proved to be yet another remarkably good year for the Norwegian economy. The 2007 collective bargaining round was an intermediate settlement, and did not generate any major industrial conflicts. Political debates as well as legislative developments have mostly been concerned with challenges related to the high number of workers and companies from Eastern Europe coming to Norway.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Slovakia: Slovakia: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  Major changes took place in the Labour Code. They improved the employees´ employment security and the position of the trade unions in companies. Changes took place also in regulation of collective bargaining and disputes. The role of collective bargaining remained significant and about 40% of employees was covered by collective agreements. However, the role of sectoral collective bargaining was partly reduced. Gender pay gap did not close in 2007. Wage flexibility was a topic in term of the existence of minimum wage in Slovakia. Social parties agreed to keep the minimum wage and to increase its level since 1 October 20007.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Hungary: Hungary: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  As an impact of the introduction of austerity measures the previous year, 2007 was marked by growing unpopularity of the government and constant political tensions between the governing coalition and the opposition. Although real wages declined by almost by 6%, national level social dialogue and collective bargaining returned to normal during the year. In the autumn the government’s bill on health-care reform met with widespread rejection, which escalated into a series of demonstrations and strikes. Although the LIGA confederation’s call for general strike did not reach its goal, eventually its radical political stand made it to the best-known union and organisationally strengthened it.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Netherlands: The Netherlands: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  In the recovered economy the three large union federations let go their policy of pay moderation. Higher pay claims, 3% or more on an annual base, were made. These claims were met in the course of 2007, in some cases supported by union campaigns and strikes. A delay in concluding collective agreements can be observed again. Although employer organizations are in favour of variable pay, the issue was not a topic in the bargaining rounds. Government and social partners agreed on measures to combat unemployment; at least 200.000 people have to be supported in finding work. They perceive employability as central to an active labour market policy.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Italy: Italy: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  In Italy, as in many other European countries, one of the key themes covered by national collective bargaining during 2007 has been wage flexibility. In most economic sectors II level (company level) collective bargaining is of great importance as it sets parameters for wage increase linked to, for instance, goals achievements or to market global indicators of the companies. Confindustria often expressed its position in favour of a link between wage and productivity. On the other hand, trade unions have been denouncing through demonstrations and strikes that wage policies are being too weak to face the increase in the cost of life.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Greece: Greece: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  During 2007 developments in the field of industrial relations in Greece were shaped to a large extent by two factors. On the one hand we had political developments, with the early parliamentary elections held on 16 September, which put an end to a long debate over the precise time for the elections, a debate that had effectively brought government work to a standstill. With the renewal of its term in office, the conservative (New Democracy- www.nd.gr), government set as the first item on its agenda the reform of the insurance system, with proposals that met with strong opposition from the social partners. On the other hand, there was the fact that in 2007 no National General Collective Labour Agreement (EGSSE) had been signed, since the previous two-year agreement was signed in 2006. Thus there was less collective bargaining and fewer agreements were signed than in 2006.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Cyprus: Cyprus: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  This annual review, compiled in December 2007, looks at industrial relations developments in Cyprus during the course of 2007.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Czech Republic: Czech Republic: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  In the manufacturing sector variable pay accounts for one of the lowest shares of basic pay (senior management 15%, middle management 13%, specialists 14%, administrative workers 14%, manual labourers 20%).Variable pay often functions in the manufacturing sphere as a tool for limiting employee absenteeism (pay is increased and decreased according to absence rates) – 49% of manufacturing firms. But the number of companies that tie employees’ variable pay component solely to team performance is growing, and fewer companies tie it to the individual’s results.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Estonia: Estonia: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  A national level minimum wage agreement and two sectoral level agreements were concluded in the course of 2007. The exact number of company level agreements is not available. There have been several collectively agreed wage increases as a result of the rapid economic growth; other relevant issues have been working and rest time and occupational health and safety. The most important legislative changes concern the regulation of employee information and consultation issues and the decision of the Supreme Court to ban the dismissal of older workers in public sector.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Belgium: Belgium: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  This year’s industrial relations developments were marked by the bi-annual intersectoral agreement constituting a framework for future national and sectoral agreements. Numerous matters were part of it, among them were wages, lifelong learning, active ageing, decrease in taxation, overtime, gender gap. Several sectoral and cross-industry level agreements were concluded. Public transports suffered from a number of industrial actions. This led some to require that a minimum service was ensured. Belgium was condemned by the European Court of Justice for not complying with the directive on information and consultation of workers. That led the social partners to find an agreement to implement the directive.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Ireland: Ireland: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  This annual review examines industrial relations developments in Ireland in 2007, notably in the areas of collective bargaining, public sector pay, employment law, and agency working.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Germany: Germany: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  Collective agreements in Germany generally include a high degree of wage flexibility. Hundreds of collective agreements provide various so called opening clauses which allow under certain circumstances companies and trade unions to agree on deviations of the collectively agreed rates of pay (and most often working time). A number of agreements include provisions to allow lower rates of pay for new entrants or employees which have been unemployed for a longer period before recruitment. Other opening clauses allow the bargaining parties at company level to delay or cancel annual bonuses in case the company concerned is in financial difficulties. There are numerous agreements containing provisions on performance related pay.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Spain: Spain: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  This annual review, compiled in December 2007, looks at industrial relations developments in Spain during the course of 2007.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Poland: Poland: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  The most important topic in 2007 was the results of the economic migration wave, which proved to be of the essence for the labour market at home. The improving condition of Poland’s economy, coupled by the decreasing unemployment rate, have significantly strengthened the position of employees on the job market, and consequently gave a boost to the employees’ economic desires. This was reflected by the growing number of strikes and collective disputes. There was also more pressure on improving pay and working conditions in the public sector. Numerous legal changes – some of which were dictated by adjustments to the EU legislation – have likewise become a source of tensions. Finally, telework has been legally regulated.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Malta: Malta: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Malta during 2007.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Bulgaria: Bulgaria: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  The year was rich on political events: the full-fledged Bulgaria accession to the EU, elections for European Parliament members and regional elections. The industrial relations were marked with numerous significant strikes at sectoral, branch and company level. The protests and the bipartite national agreement on a recommended pay increase index in the private sector stimulated the collective bargaining on wages. That led to the increasing wages from 10% to 30% and more in some sectors and branches.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Denmark: Denmark: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  2007 was dominated by collective bargaining in the private sector under the confederations of LO and DA. The year ended in heated discussios about the forthcoming bargaining in the public sector 2008. Furthermore 2007 was the year when the government took office for the third time in a row. The issue of wage flexibility was part of collective bargaining. The parties agreed that 2% of the wage, divided over the three-year period of the agreement in force, will be set aside on a free-choice account, enabling employees to choose between more special holidays, more pension or extra pay.

• 23 Sep 2008
  United Kingdom: UK: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  This is the UK contribution to the annual review of industrial relations developments 2007.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Latvia: Latvia: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  This annual review, compiled in December 2007, looks at industrial relations developments in Latvia during the course of 2007.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Austria: Austria: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  This is the Austrian contribution to the annual review of the industrial relations developments 2007.

• 23 Sep 2008
  Slovenia: Slovenia: Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007

  On 14 December 2007 the Economic and Social Council of Slovenia (Ekonomsko socialni svet Slovenije, ESSS) discussed the draft Law on Financial Participation of Workers (LFPW) prepared by the Ministry of the Economy (Ministrstvo za gospodarstvo, MG). The government then adopted the draft LFPW and submitted it to the parliamentary procedure (see below 3. Legislative developments).In the most recent sectoral collective agreements the pay rises are related to the achieved results. Instead of the starting pay they determine the lowest basic pay and the basic pay. Such agreements exist in the construction, agriculture and food production, road transport, retail trade (SI0604019I), wood processing and other sectors (see below 2. Collective bargaining developments.).

• 22 Sep 2008
  EU Level: EU Court limits Member States’ law-making powers

  In June 2008, the European Court of Justice delivered a further ruling in relation to undertakings operating in other EU Member States. The ruling holds that the legislative powers of Member States must be interpreted narrowly and limited to those issues where a public policy necessity is demonstrated. The court states that responsibility for monitoring compliance with directives lies primarily in the country in which the undertaking is established.

• 22 Sep 2008
  United Kingdom: Landmark court ruling on equal pay bargaining

  In July 2008, the Court of Appeal issued its judgement in a legal case concerning a trade union’s handling of women members’ equal pay claims within the context of negotiations over the broader restructuring of employees’ terms and conditions. The court ruled that the trade union had indirectly discriminated against the women by agreeing a low settlement in respect of past pay inequalities in order to prioritise pay protection for other workers and higher future pay levels.

• 22 Sep 2008
  United Kingdom: Labour Party gives little ground to unions in policy review

  At a meeting of its national policy forum in July 2008, the Labour Party agreed a series of policy proposals for inclusion in its manifesto for the next general election. The proposals include lowering of the age threshold for the national minimum wage and the extension of flexible working rights for parents. However, party leaders rejected a range of other trade union demands, such as abolishing the ban on ‘secondary’ picketing and simplifying strike balloting procedures.

• 22 Sep 2008
  Poland: Social partners reach agreement on minimum wage for 2009

  In July 2008, the Polish Tripartite Commission decided to increase the national minimum monthly wage by 13%, to PLN 1,276 (about €381) from 1 January 2009. In contrast to the stalemate in the minimum wage negotiations last year, which resulted in raising the minimum wage by governmental decree, this year the social partners were able to reach common ground. The agreed increase corresponds to 40% of predicted average national pay in 2009.

• 22 Sep 2008
  EU Level: Commission reviews social partner agreement on teleworking

  In July 2008, the European Commission issued a report on the outcome of the 2002 telework agreement. It concludes that while the agreement has been successful – with key provisions being implemented in 21 Member States – there is still scope for improvement. Areas for improvement include a more extensive definition of telework, ensuring equal treatment for teleworkers, and increasing awareness of the agreement among certain groups and countries.

• 22 Sep 2008
  Poland: Trade unions in talks about healthcare reform with president

  In late July 2008, the three largest healthcare service trade unions met with the Polish president to discuss healthcare provisions. The main objective of the meeting was to express their concerns to the president about the proposals of the lower house of parliament (Sejm) in the area of healthcare, in particular the proposed changes to the law on healthcare centres. However, the meeting ended without any firm declarations being made by the president on the possible healthcare reforms.

• 22 Sep 2008
  Sweden: Fatal work-related accidents on the rise

  Fatal occupational accidents are on the increase in Sweden: 36 people died in accidents at work in the first six months of 2008, compared with 28 deaths in the same period for 2003. The rise in the number of fatal accidents is particularly alarming in the construction sector. As a result, social partners are calling for government action and increased resources for risk prevention. The Swedish Work Environment Authority has undertaken an investigation of the problem.

• 22 Sep 2008
  EU Level: Maritime agreement to form basis of new EU directive

  In May 2008, the social partners in the maritime shipping industry concluded an agreement to improve working conditions for over 300,000 maritime workers across Europe. In July, the European Commission proposed a new directive to ensure that the agreement’s terms are transposed into national laws. The Commission is due to present a communication on maritime transport by the end of the year, outlining the opportunities and challenges for the industry over the next 10 years.

• 22 Sep 2008
  Poland: Medical rescue workers stage protest for better conditions and pay

  In June 2008, a nationwide protest was launched by the National Trade Union of Medical Rescue Personnel, which was joined by other trade unions representing medical rescue workers. The trade unions are demanding changes to the law regulating state-operated medical rescue services, along with improved pay and employment conditions. In July, however, one of the participating trade unions abandoned the protest and reached an agreement with the Ministry of Health.

• 22 Sep 2008
  Germany: New collective agreement for retail trade after protracted dispute

  In July 2008, after more than a year of dispute and strike action, the bargaining parties in retail trade in Baden-Württemberg concluded a new collective agreement for the sector’s employees. It provides for a general pay increase of 3% with effect from 1 April 2008, and the social partners reached a compromise on the contentious issue of bonus payments for work during unsocial hours. The framework collective agreement is to remain unchanged until at least the end of 2010.

• 22 Sep 2008
  France: Unions protest at privatisation of port handling operations

  In June 2008, the French government adopted a law privatising port handling activities at seven major French seaports. Since the legislation was proposed in April, crane operators – with support from dockers – had held a series of strikes in protest at the effects of the privatisation on their jobs. Negotiations are due to start by 31 October on a framework agreement defining the terms for transferring the ports’ handling activities and workers to private operators.

• 22 Sep 2008
  Hungary: Warning strike and lock-out at Paks Nuclear Power Plant

  A two-hour warning strike was staged in May 2008 at Hungary’s only nuclear power plant, near the central town of Paks. The strike was held by employees of Dekoten, a company to which the power plant had outsourced cleaning and gardening activities, and was attributed to the failure to conclude a new collective agreement. Following the strike, negotiations continued with the involvement of a professional mediator, and a new agreement was expected in September 2008.

• 15 Sep 2008
  Germany: New wage agreement for ground staff at Lufthansa

  In August 2008, Lufthansa, the largest German airline, reached a compromise with the United Services Union on a new collective wage agreement for the company’s ground staff. After several days of strike action leading to many flight cancellations, the social partners agreed to a total pay rise of 7.4% to be implemented in two steps, initially on 1 July 2008 and then on 1 July 2009. The agreement affects about 34,000 employees at Lufthansa.

• 15 Sep 2008
  Sweden: Bus drivers reach new agreement after strike

  During the first two weeks of July 2008, about 6,000 bus drivers in Sweden went on strike, demanding better working conditions – particularly regarding working hours – and higher wages for the 14,000 bus drivers affected by recent negotiations. The strike ended mid July when a new three-year agreement was reached. The general public was greatly inconvenienced by the strike, with up to 250,000 commuters and other passengers left stranded during the conflict.

• 15 Sep 2008
  Poland: Postal workers strike over pay increases

  At midnight between 2 and 3 June 2008, employees of the Polish postal authority, Poczta Polska, commenced an open-ended strike. The workers were seeking to secure pay increases greater than those provided for in the agreement reached in late May 2008. However, employer representatives condemned the strike action as illegal, and the company announced that it would be reporting the incident to the public prosecution authorities.

• 15 Sep 2008
  EU Level: Commission adopts proposal for improved EWC directive

  On 2 July 2008, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal for a revised directive on European Works Councils (EWCs) as part of its renewed social agenda. The proposal aims to better define the competencies of EWCs, linking the national and European levels of information and consultation, and ensuring legal certainty regarding the set-up and the functioning of EWCs. Social partners have given mixed reactions to the proposal.

• 15 Sep 2008
  Norway: Statutory right to reduced working time for workers aged 62 plus

  In July 2008, all Norwegian employees were given a statutory right to reduced working hours from the age of 62 years. The intention behind the initiative is to make it easier for older workers to combine work with a pension. Furthermore, it aims to encourage more people to stay in employment after having reached the age of 62 years, which is the age limit for entitlement to an early retirement pension.

• 15 Sep 2008
  Norway: High wage growth and few disputes mark 2008 bargaining round

  The 2008 pay settlements provided the highest wage growth for Norwegian wage earners in 10 years. Moreover, few conflicts emerged in connection with the negotiations. Regarding non-pay issues, the social partner organisations managed to reach agreement, albeit with the help of the government, on a revised scheme for agreement-based early retirement. Norway is currently experiencing labour shortages but experts predict that the high wage growth will ease in 2009.

• 15 Sep 2008
  Slovenia: Increase in labour law breaches relating to employment

  The Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia (IRSD) has published a report on its work for 2007, warning the public about the increase in labour law violations with regard to employment relationships. Employers argue that many infringements are due to the rigidity and inflexibility of labour legislation. Meanwhile, trade unions believe that the state should strengthen IRSD’s resources and give it greater responsibility.

• 15 Sep 2008
  EU Level: International framework agreement on health and safety signed at ArcelorMittal

  In early June 2008, the world’s largest steel company, ArcelorMittal, and trade unions representing its employees at global level signed an international framework agreement to further improve health and safety standards throughout the company. The agreement recognises the vital role played by trade unions in improving workplace health and safety. It sets out minimum standards in every site which the company operates in order to improve the health and safety performance.

• 15 Sep 2008
  Finland: Government issues new action plan for gender equality

  The Finnish government has issued a new action plan for 2008–2011 to promote gender equality. Priorities include promoting women’s careers, gender equality awareness in schools and work–life balance, as well as reducing the gender pay gap, gender segregation in the labour market and violence against women. The government will continue the tripartite equal pay programme and support measures undertaken by labour market organisations to advance gender equality and equal pay.

• 15 Sep 2008
  Finland: Tax cuts proposed under 2009 budget plan

  As part of the new budget plan for 2009, the Finnish Ministry of Finance proposes income tax cuts worth €800 million. Under the proposal, the tax cuts would be distributed equally over all income levels, and would also apply to pensioners. Employer organisations have declared themselves to be generally satisfied with the budget proposal, whereas the trade union confederations have expressed disappointment at the allocation of tax cuts.

• 15 Sep 2008
  Spain: Strike in road transport sector over rising fuel costs

  The Spanish road transport sector faces major challenges caused by soaring fuel costs and falling demand in transport services. Workers representing small haulage companies went out on strike in June in protest against the cost of fuel. Tthe week-long strike was not supported by the large hauliers. The dispute ended when the main representative employer organisation signed an agreement with the government. However, the agreement does not set a minimum rate for transport services, nor does it comprise any strategic solutions for the sector’s future viability.

• 09 Sep 2008
  Romania: Container terminal workers get pay rise in deal following strike

  On 17 July 2008, over 500 employees of the Constanţa South Container Terminal in Romania launched an indefinite strike, demanding pay increases and improved conditions. After 12 and a half days of protests and negotiations, an agreement on wage rises, annual leave and working time was reached between company management and the National Federation of Port Unions (Federaţia Naţională a Sindicatelor Portuare Constanţa, FNSP). The deal ended the strike and the employees resumed work.

• 09 Sep 2008
  Romania: Tripartite agreement on minimum wage rises for 2008-2014

  On 25 July 2008, the Romanian government and social partners signed a tripartite agreement on the growth of the gross national minimum wage over the period 2008-2014. The agreement, which is a first in the country’s industrial relations, provides for the minimum wage to rise from 31% of the national average wage at present to 50% in 2014.

• 09 Sep 2008
  Italy: New work measures oust policies agreed by previous government

  A decree law approved on 25 June 2008 implemented some of the new rules on work, introduced by the newly elected Minister of Labour, Health and Social Policy, Maurizio Sacconi. These new measures are included in the spending plan approved by the Council of Ministers on 18 June. Some provisions introduced by the new minister annul measures approved by the last government, for instance the law on voluntary resignations.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Lithuania: Collective labour legislation amended

  In June 2008, the Lithuanian parliament adopted a series of amendments to the legislation governing collective labour disputes, collective labour disputes, employer organisations, information and consultation, public services industrial relations, and works councils. The basic aim of the changes is to promote social dialogue.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Greece: National general collective agreement signed for 2008-2009

  In March 2008, the Greek social partners signed a National General Collective Labour Agreement for 2008-2009. The agreement increases minimum wage rates by a total of 12.42% over two years, which is above forecast inflation. It also introduces new provisions in areas such as annual leave, work-related stress and social dialogue .

• 08 Sep 2008
  Greece: ADEDY sets out key demands at conference

  In November 2007, the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) held its three-yearly conference. It presented demands for improvements in the employment conditions of public sector staff, including: a new pay policy based on the incorporation of pay supplements in basic pay and the introduction of a basic minimum monthly salary at double the current level; restrictions on the use of flexible forms of employment; and an extension of collective bargaining rights.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Bulgaria: Social partners examine development of social dialogue

  A seminar on social dialogue in the new EU Member States, held in Sofia in April 2008, gave an opportunity for the Bulgarian social partners to discuss the development of social dialogue in their country. Both trade unions and employers expressed their views on issues such as tripartite and bipartite dialogue, the structure of collective bargaining and workplace information and consultation.

• 08 Sep 2008
  United Kingdom: Working days lost through strikes in 2007 highest for five years

  The latest official UK strike figures, published in June 2008, show that more than one million working days were lost through strike action in 2007. This figure is almost 250,000 days more than in 2006, and the highest amount of working days lost due to strike activity since 2002. More than 95% of the days lost involved industrial action by public sector workers. Most of the disputes were pay related and of short duration.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Ireland: Strike action averted in face of insurance company’s offshoring plan

  In July 2008, members of the Unite trade union who are employed by the insurance company Hibernian threatened industrial action over the company’s plan to offshore 580 ‘back office’ jobs to India. The company has attributed its offshoring plans to cost savings and profit differentials. For the moment, talks underway between the company and trade union have averted the threat of strike action and work stoppages.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Netherlands: Broad consensus for proposals for changes to dismissal law

  The Bakker Committee, which was set up to resolve the impasse surrounding dismissal legislation in the Netherlands, issued its recommendations in June 2008. Based on labour market trends, the report recommended that every effort should be made to encourage more people into employment and to stay working for longer. While dismissal law is marginal in this respect, employee flexibility is a key factor. The social partners responded positively to the report, although they were critical of certain aspects.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Italy: Trade unions reach joint position on reform of bargaining system

  Italy’s three main trade union confederations have signed a joint document setting out guidelines for reforming the country’s collective bargaining system. Talks were set to begin with the employer organisations in the subsequent weeks, with both parties declaring that they wanted to reach rapid agreement. However, as the positions of the two sides seem rather polarised in relation to certain issues, the negotiations are not expected to be easy.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Luxembourg: Trade unions protest in favour of a more social Europe

  In July 2008, the trade union platform of the ‘Grande Région’ expressed its discontent with the EU’s social policy, when trade unions from Belgium, France and Luxembourg staged a demonstration in the latter country’s capital city. The recent European Court of Justice ruling against Luxembourg for failing to fulfil its obligations regarding the Posting of Workers’ Directive triggered the move. The trade unions believe that the ruling is ‘condemning Luxembourg for its high social standards’.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Malta: Trade union condemns decision to privatise Malta Shipyards

  The General Workers’ Union criticised the government for announcing the privatisation of Malta Shipyards without prior consultation or information. While the trade union’s latest proposals to save the organisation were not accepted, the government intends to consult the union on specific issues, such as early retirement schemes, which seek to reduce the organisation’s workforce.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Ireland: Employers back ‘yes’ vote but unions divided on Lisbon Treaty

  In the run-up to Ireland’s June 2008 referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, employer organisations mostly backed a ‘yes’ vote. In contrast, the trade union vote was divided: some unions supported the ‘yes’ campaign, while others backed a ‘no’ vote. The Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU), the country’s largest trade union, made no recommendation either way.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Hungary: New collective agreement at MALÉV Hungarian Airlines

  Following almost two months of negotiations, management at MALÉV Airlines and five trade unions concluded a new collective agreement at the end of March 2008. The new deal grants the company more flexibility in work schedules and offers employees an updated benefit system. Both parties to the agreement welcomed the compromise; some union representatives, however, believe that their main success was preserving the existence of a collective agreement at MALÉV.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Latvia: New career development model for teachers

  Latvia has begun implementing a system of qualification ranking for teachers, which seeks to foster career development, as well as to bring teachers’ remuneration in line with their level of qualification. The assessment of the teachers’ professional career model, in which 1,408 teachers from 192 schools in Latvia took part, was completed in March 2008. Participation in the new professional evaluation system will be voluntary.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Luxembourg: ‘Luxembourg model’ of social dialogue explored

  The concept of the ‘Luxembourg model’ of social dialogue is often referred to in Luxembourg and sometimes in other countries. Questions have arisen, however, over whether the configuration of social dialogue in Luxembourg has any value as a model, and whether such a model can be truly deemed as ‘national’. New research on the functioning of social dialogue in Luxembourg, in the context of the EURES network, has provided some answers to these questions.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Czech Republic: Multinational retail chains in breach of labour law

  The Czech Republic’s State Labour Inspection Office (SÚIP) carried out 157 checks of 19 multinational retail chains for their observance of labour law regulations in 2007. The inspections uncovered a total 401 breaches of the regulations. However, SÚIP only imposed fines amounting to CZK 745,000 (about €30,387). The most frequent types of breaches involved violation of the country’s Labour Code provisions.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Norway: Collective agreement in public sector triggers strong wage growth

  At the end of May 2008, the social partner organisations concluded collective agreements covering different parts of Norway’s public sector. The new agreements will generate an estimated wage growth in the public sector of 6.13% at state level and 6.34% at municipal level between 2007 and 2008. In the municipalities, strike action was taken by the Confederation of Unions for Professionals; however, the dispute ended after negotiations recommenced.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Slovenia: Intersectoral collective agreement on pay concluded in private sector

  In May 2008, following lengthy negotiations, the social partners finally concluded the national intersectoral collective agreement on pay adjustment for the private sector for the period 2007–2009. Despite the consensus reached, some trade unions view the agreement as a defeat, as it only determined the rise of the lowest possible basic pay instead of all basic pay for 2008 and 2009.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Cyprus: New agreement signed in banking sector

  In July 2008, after at least six months of bargaining, an agreement was reached on the renewal of the collective agreement for the banking sector. In terms of pay, the new agreement provides for significantly higher pay increases compared with the preceding three years. This development reflects a move away from the moderate position held before Cyprus joined the eurozone. On the non-pay front, the most important change is the further expansion of the system of outsourcing.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Cyprus: Subcontracting in construction to be regulated in new three-year agreement

  In July 2008, agreement was reached on the renewal of the collective agreement for the construction sector. Although the pay increases granted for the next three years are not substantially different from those paid in 2006–2007, the new agreement will bring about important changes on the non-pay front – mainly regarding the regulation of contracting in the sector.

• 08 Sep 2008
  Belgium: Employers appeal to courts to ban strike pickets

  The Belgian firearms manufacturer La Fabrique Nationale experienced several troubled weeks in June 2008. During strike action over the management’s refusal to hire a temporary worker on a permanent basis, the human resources manager accidentally hit a worker with his car when trying to pass the picket line. This event triggered further unrest and the management finally requested a court to remove the pickets; the trade unions declared this move a threat to the right to strike.

• 05 Sep 2008
  Netherlands: Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Sea and coastal water transport

• 05 Sep 2008
  EU Countries: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Sea and coastal water transport

  This study sets out to provide the necessary information for establishing sectoral social dialogue in the sea and coastal water transport sector. First, the report identifies the relevant national organisations on both sides of industry. Second, it analyses the sector’s relevant European organisations. The study consists of three main parts: a summary of the sector’s economic background; an analysis of the social partner organisations in all of the EU Member States(with the exception of Hungary and Slovakia), with special emphasis on their membership, their role in collective bargaining and public policy, and their national and European affiliations; and finally, an analysis of the relevant European organisations, in particular 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 for these studies arises from the goal of the European Commission 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 required to establish sectoral social dialogue.

• 05 Sep 2008
  Lithuania: Lithuania: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Sea and coastal water transport

  At the time of writing, there are two sectoral trade unions and one employers’ association operating in the Lithuanian NACE sector 61.1. The trade unions are due to merge into one sectoral trade union in the near future*. Though this sector is quite well represented on the part of both employees and employers, no sectoral collective agreement has been signed in this sector so far.

• 05 Sep 2008
  France: France: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Sea and coastal water transport

  In the sector under review, the union density is high for France; all five French trade union confederations are present in the sector to varying degrees. There is quite a lot of collective bargaining both at company and sector levels. Collective agreements cover all employees of the sector by grade: sailors, officers and sedentary staff. The unions are involved in three types of bargaining: at the international level through agreements concluded by the ITF with the major shipowners; national sector-level agreements concerning ships that are on the French maritime register; company agreements, notably in big companies. The sector’s employer associations and unions are associated with a tripartite body, namely the National Transport Council.

• 04 Sep 2008
  Sweden: Sweden: representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Sea and coastal water transport

  The largest union within the sea and costal water transport sector in Sweden is SEKO (Swedish Association for Service and Communication) with 7,027 members in this sector. It is a national Swedish trade union organising in total around 160,000 members divided into nine branches. However, SFBT (The Swedish Ship Officers' Association) and SBF (Merchant Marine Officers Association) are also large unions within the sector and their members are mainly within the sea and costal water transport sector.The employer association is SARF (The Swedish Transport Group). Another association is SRF (The Swedish Shipowners’ Association), which is an interest organisation. The number of enterprises in the sea and costal water transport sector has increased; in 1994 there were 418 enterprises and in 2006 there were 651 enterprises, which is an increase of 233 enterprises within 12 years. The employees working in the sector only constitute 0.4% of the total number of employees in the economy.

• 04 Sep 2008
  Romania: Romania: representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Sea and coastal water transport

  In 1990, in Romania, there were four fleets of maritime transport: deep-sea fishing fleet, bulk-carrier fleet (for transport of ores), oil-tanker fleet (ships for the transport of crude oil) and the cargo-carrier fleet. The total volume of goods transported via maritime shipping dropped from 27.6 million tonnes in 1990 to 65 thousand tonnes in 2005, and the goods transport distance from 110.8 billion tonnes per km to 140 million tonnes per km. The number of ships decreased in the same interval from 269 to 36. Romanian ship personnel in maritime transport have been gradually employed by shipping companies from other countries which makes it very hard to evaluate the system of industrial relations in this sector.

• 04 Sep 2008
  Portugal: Portugal: representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Sea and coastal water transport

  The sector is small in terms of employment, with a high fragmentation of unions and without an employers’ association that would take the responsibility for collective bargaining at branch level. Experts say that employment has further decreased since the last Census (2001). Thus, the sector’s share in global employment is probably at about 0.05%.There is a strong competition between the numerous unions whose domains overlap in multiple ways. Criticism is very strong and includes the accusation of some union leaders that other organisations have established a kind of closed shop in coalition with employers, receiving from these employers membership fees of workers who have no say about their ‘membership’ in the respective organisation. If this is true, this would be the first case where we have to doubt whether union membership is voluntary or compulsory. Taking this strong union competition and controversy into consideration, reliable membership numbers and estimates of representativeness are particularly difficult to find.

• 04 Sep 2008
  Spain: Spain: representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Sea and coastal water transport

  Sea and Coastal Transport accounts for 20% of total GDP generated by the transport sector, representing in turn 1% of the country’s GDP as a whole. The state-owned pPort system is covered by nationwide sectoral collective bargaining whereas in the merchant shipping subsector single-employer bargaining predominates. Trade union density rate in the transport sector is around 25%, well above the average for the Spanish economy as a whole. Estimates suggest that union density is even higher among sea and coastal transport workers.

• 04 Sep 2008
  Czech Republic: Czech Republic: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Sea and coastal water transport

  The Czech Republic is a landlocked state and therefore maritime and coastal water transport is not an economically significant sector in the Czech Republic. However, up to the mid 1990s the Czech Republic had one of the largest inland maritime fleets in the world – the state firm Czech (formerly Czechoslovak) Maritime Fleet [Česká (Československá) námořní flotilla] owned 14 maritime cargo ships. After privatisation, in which Viktor Kožený was a key figure, all the ships were sold off and now the Czech Republic does not own a single maritime vessel. Czech sailors thus only work for foreign firms.

• 04 Sep 2008
  Austria: Austria: representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Sea and coastal water transport

  Since Austria is an inland country without any sea coast, the country’s sea and coastal water transport sector comprises only a handful of companies and a few hundred employees at most. Whereas collective bargaining in the sector follows the country’s general pattern which is characterised, with respect to the employers, by compulsory membership of the Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) and thus a collective bargaining coverage rate of 100%, the sector shows some specifics in regard to the relevant union’s representativeness: in contrast to the principle of voluntary membership of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) and its affiliates, the sector’s employees are compulsorily registered with the vida trade union. This is to secure vida as the sector’s relevant union representing the seafarers (who are usually foreign nationals and dispersed on board ships all over the world) vis-à-vis the employers side.

• 02 Sep 2008
  Belgium: Women win seats in workplace elections but remain underrepresented

  In May 2008, workplace elections were held throughout the Belgian private sector. During the campaign, trade unions called for female candidates to run, in an effort to increase the representation of women in company elective bodies. Election results show a higher proportion of successful women candidates than four years ago. However, women remain underrepresented in company-level representation bodies, given that the number of employed women has also risen.

• 02 Sep 2008
  Cyprus: Trade unions unite efforts to tackle high cost of living

  In June 2008, in a meeting of all trade unions on the subject of rising prices and profiteering, a number of trade union organisations, together with consumer organisations, resolved to propose to the government a range of measures which aim to address the problem of inflationary pressures. The organisations argue that the situation is affecting low-paid workers and vulnerable groups of the population in particular.

• 02 Sep 2008
  Portugal: Social partners reach agreement on the reform of labour relations

  On 25 June 2008, the Portuguese government finally reached agreement on the reform of labour relations, at the Standing Commission for Social Concertation, together with representatives from all the employers’ confederations and the trade union confederation UGT. However, the other trade union confederation, CGTP, which is the largest in Portugal, did not sign the agreement. On 26 June 2008, the Council of Ministers approved the draft bill on the labour code, which will be presented at parliament and assessed in a plenary session in September2008.

• 02 Sep 2008
  Greece: Government awards 4.5% pay rise to public servants

  In May 2008, the Greek government announced that public servants will receive a 4.5% pay increase in 2008, in two instalments. The Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) reacted by saying that this is below inflation and has warned of industrial action over pay. ADEDY is demanding a uniform pay scale for public servants, with a minimum basic monthly salary of €1,300.

• 02 Sep 2008
  United Kingdom: Equality Bill to include new employment measures

  In June 2008, the UK government announced further details of its plans for a new Equality Bill. These consist of provisions to promote equality in employment, including measures seeking to highlight the pay gap between men and women and to promote positive action in recruitment. Furthermore, the equality duty for public bodies will be extended. The social partner organisations have broadly welcomed the proposals.

• 02 Sep 2008
  Latvia: Healthcare workers prepare to strike again

  The Health and Social Care Workers’ Trade Union is preparing a wide-ranging protest action for the autumn of 2008. The Minister of Health criticised the trade union, stating that attempts to scare the public with strike threats were immoral. However, he also admitted that it is not possible at present to state which of the demands of the healthcare workers could be met by the national budget, as next year’s budget is not yet available.

• 01 Sep 2008
  EU Countries: Working time developments – 2007

  In 2007, average collectively agreed weekly working time in the European Union was 38.6 hours, while agreed normal annual working time averaged about 1,740 hours. Of the three economic sectors examined in this study, agreed weekly working hours are highest in retail (38.8), followed by the chemicals industry (38.6) and the civil service (38.3). Average collectively agreed paid annual leave entitlement stood at 25.2 days across the EU in 2007, although the total varied significantly between the ‘old’ and new Member States. This report also examines statutory working time and leave limits, and actual working hours.