• About EIRO
• Annual reports
• Comparative information
• EU level developments
• Representativeness studies
• Survey Reports
• Browse by:
  • Country
  • Date
  • Sector
  • Subject
• Industrial relations links

December 2008

• 23 Dec 2008
  EU Countries: Working time in the EU and other global economies – Industrial relations in the EU and other global economies 2006–2007

  Globalisation is having a profound impact on economies and industrial relations systems all around the world. In the context of global competition, it is increasingly relevant to look at Europe’s economic development in a wider perspective. This report explores the main industrial relations developments in the European Union, Japan and the US in the period 2006-2007. It charts the similarities and trends in industrial relations as well as the differences in basic structures and developments between these three major economies. At the same time, it allows for a degree of benchmarking of the EU against its main trading competitors. The second part of the review presents an overview of working time regulation and management in the EU, Japan and the US. It reviews the most recent trends in working time, including standard weekly working hours, overtime and long working hours, flexible work schedules, shift work and weekend work. It also looks at provisions for maternity and parental leave. While the report mainly covers the EU Member States, Japan and the US, it also includes references to emerging economies such as Brazil and China.

• 22 Dec 2008
  Italy: Trade unions organise strike against government school reforms

  In October 2008, the Italian parliament approved a bill reforming Italy’s national school system. The bill envisages significant changes to the country’s public schools, especially those at primary school level. Trade unions, teaching staff, students and some members of the public rejected the government’s reforms, insisting that they will interfere with the quality and funding of the educational system. The unions organised a one-day general strike as a mark of protest.

• 22 Dec 2008
  Poland: Unions at major insurer call on top managers to be dismissed

  Trade unions at Poland’s largest insurance company, PZU, called on the government to dismiss the company’s president and two members of its management board in October 2008. The unions allege that the managers are guilty of mismanagement, making ‘hidden’ collective redundancies, as well as closing branches and service points without due consultation with employees. Since then, the dispute at PZU seems to have worsened due to problematic relations between the company’s shareholders.

• 22 Dec 2008
  Italy: Draft agreement reached for Wind telecom workers

  After six months of bargaining, the social partners at Wind – Italy’s third largest company in the fixed and mobile telephony sector – reached consensus on the renewal of the company agreement in November 2008. The agreement introduces some interesting elements regarding women’s work–life balance needs and the stabilisation of temporary workers. All of the signatory parties have expressed their satisfaction with the draft agreement.

• 22 Dec 2008
  Estonia: Employers offer solutions on managing economic downturn

  In September 2008, the Estonian Employers’ Confederation forwarded proposals to the government on managing the economic downturn. Over the last year, the employer confederation, the Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions and the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have made several recommendations to the government and parliament for dealing with the downturn. However, until now, no consultations have been initiated with the social partners on the issue.

• 22 Dec 2008
  France: Unions highlight need for decent work on World Day

  In the context of the World day for decent work in October 2008, the French trade unions affiliated to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) held a rally in order to raise public awareness about this issue in the particularly difficult circumstances resulting from the global economic situation. About 110,000 people participated in 90 demonstrations throughout France. The demonstrators called for more jobs, decent pay and working conditions, and better public services.

• 22 Dec 2008
  Finland: Restructuring dispute at Finnair continues

  In September 2008, all employee groups unanimously rejected a proposal by the Finnish national carrier Finnair to cut wages and salaries or freeze previously agreed pay rises, as a new cost-cutting measure by the company. Over the past few years, Finnair has already cut 700 jobs, and recently announced its plan to reduce its workforce by a further 400 employees. Moreover, the company’s decision to replace Finnish crew with Spanish crew on its Asia-bound flights has sparked controversy.

• 22 Dec 2008
  Norway: Proposal for gradual reduction in working time for shift work

  In October 2008, an expert committee set up by the Norwegian government put forward its proposal for the introduction of a statutory scheme providing for a gradual reduction in working hours in relation to shift work carried out at night time and on Sundays. The proposal aims to promote equality, in terms of weekly working hours, between shift work in the female-dominated healthcare sector and similar working time arrangements in the male-dominated manufacturing sector.

• 22 Dec 2008
  Ireland: Aer Lingus announces radical outsourcing plan

  A large-scale outsourcing plan unveiled by Aer Lingus signalled a major change in the traditional industrial relations between the former state-owned airline and its main trade unions. As part of the plan, the airline sought to outsource more than a third of its total workforce, amounting to 1,500 jobs. However, after threatened strike action and tense negotiations, agreement was reached on alternative cost-cutting measures.

• 22 Dec 2008
  Netherlands: Collectively agreed wages up 3% in 2008

  Wage levels set in collective labour agreements are expected to rise by an average of 3% in 2008, compared with 2% in 2007. This general increase can be seen in the services and transport sectors, where serious industrial action preceded a final agreement at the negotiation table. Matters are further complicated at TNT Post and the regional transport services where collective bargaining has been taking place against a backdrop of company reorganisations.

• 22 Dec 2008
  EU Level: European trade unionists react to restructuring plans at Siemens

  German engineering group Siemens wants to cut 16,750 jobs from its 400,000 global workforce. The job reductions will affect all segments of the group and production sites in various European countries. European Works Council members and trade union representatives met for two coordination meetings organised by the European Metalworkers’ Federation in order to develop a trade union response.

• 22 Dec 2008
  EU Level: Turmoil in Germany’s financial services sector

  Germany’s financial services sector has faced over a year of turmoil with a series of mergers, takeovers and rescue packages required to maintain the viability of a number of major companies. This article looks at the impact of restructuring within the sector in the light of the deepening global financial crisis. Germany’s finance minister has called for a review of the national banking system, while the International Monetary Fund sis in favour of a reform of the sector.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Belgium: Belgium: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Temporary agency work in Belgium is a highly regulated sector. Conditions to hire out employees to another enterprise or to recruit temporary workers are strictly defined while working conditions of the temporary workers are guaranteed by law to be similar to any other workers executing the same job in the same company. Trade unions were at first reluctant to this form of occupation because of its temporary character considered as more precarious. However, trade unions refuse to consider temporary workers as “second rate” workers and are then actively involved in negotiating for better working conditions for this kind of workers.Temporary work agencies are currently positioning their activities on a new dimension such as recruitment of specific profiles, outplacement, training, human resources strategies and are then positioning the sector as “partners for employment”.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Bulgaria: Bulgaria: temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  The TAW relations are not based on a specific legislation. The triangular relation does not find legal support in the Labour Code and in the labour legislation as a whole. In Bulgaria the number of functioning intermediary private agencies (IPA) is 160. Some of them announce that are the TAW but are registered as an intermediary agency and are functioning as such. The IPA concludes classic civil contract with the employer, which are not based on the labour legislation. The intermediary agencies assist look for a job workers and the employers offered place of work with the aim to conclude a labour contract. The IPA is registered according to special ordinance in the National Employment Agency (NEA).

• 19 Dec 2008
  Spain: Spain: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  In Spain the regulation of TAW is more tight than in other areas of temporary work. While this is very high (30.9 % of total of employment), the proportion of contracts through agencies is only 16.56% of total of temporary contracts.Since 2004, there has been some law changes, but reduced. The collective bargaining has continued developing. The present Fifth Collective Agreement contains a commitment of unions in order to avoid the inclusion in any collective agreements clauses that exclude the use of the services of the temporary employment agencies.

• 19 Dec 2008
  France: France: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  The temporary agency work situation in France is simultaneously characterised by a highly structured legal framework and a large number of contracts being signed and dialogue taking place. This makes for relatively strong protection for workers and legitimises the work of temporary work agencies.The regulatory framework has been largely transformed since 2005 and is still undergoing changes: for user enterprises, the advent of new permitted reasons for using agency workers, for temporary work agencies the authorisation of new lines of business, namely recruitment (as a secondary activity nevertheless) and working as umbrella companies.France is one of the world’s leading TAW markets. Despite recent developments, TAW is still mainly of an industrial nature, requires low skill levels and targets a young male workforce.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Greece: Greece: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Although temporary employment was a pre-existing practice in Greece, the first relevant legislative regulations were adopted in 2001. However, this legislative framework has been criticized because it is not believed to adequately safeguard the employment, insurance and trade union rights of temporary employees.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Romania: Romania: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Temporary agency work has been regulated and recognised in Romania since 2003, and has been growingly popular since 2005. The significant economic growth and the free movement of Romanian workers in the European Union states have brought personnel recruiting and leasing agencies to prominence. Nevertheless, temporary work does not seem to have been considered as one of the components of social dialogue and collective bargaining at national level.

• 19 Dec 2008
  United Kingdom: UK: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  This article gives an overview of the situation regarding temporary agency work in the UK.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Denmark: Denmark: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  The growth of TAW in Denmark is still quite new and cannot be termed as a sector in its own right. This fact is reflected in the limitations of the availability of statistical data concerning TAW in Denmark. The EU enlargement and increased inflow of foreign workers from old and new EU countries adds to the blurring of actual numbers and intensity of TAW work in Denmark. On the other hand TAW is a well organised area. Around 80 % of the TAW are covered by collective agreements.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Ireland: Ireland: temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  This contribution examines the issue of temporary agency work (TAW) and collective bargaining in Ireland as of May 2008. It is clear that trade unions and employers in Ireland hold contrasting views on the extent and outcomes of TAW. Unions are seeking equal treatment rights for agency workers with permanent comparators, in line with the stalled EU Directive. Employer organisations are opposed to agency regulations that, from their perspective, would place an undue burden on business.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Slovakia: Slovakia: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Temporary agency work is regulated by labour legislation from 1 February 2004. Agency workers can be assigned to user employer by TAW agency, and exceptionally also by their original employer. Temporary assignment is based on written employment contract. Labour Code specifies employment and working conditions of agency workers. It demands equal treatment and equal opportunity for agency workers with permanent workers of the user employer. Exemptions are allowed in wages during a limited period – now it is three month as a maximum. Collective bargaining does not play significant role in regulation of TAW.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Slovenia: Slovenia: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  All social partners agree upon the importance of TAW in Slovenia for higher employability of unemployed persons and those searching for job and higher mobility of workforce. The number of temporary work agencies and also the number of workers employed at agencies is recently increasing, mostly due to the nature and increased amount of work. The lack of lower educated and qualified workers and dynamic economic growth demand future development of TAW. Trade unions are critical to unequal rights and worse working conditions of agency workers in practice, while employer associations refer to workers` equal rights, as defined under the law.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Estonia: Estonia: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  The temporary agency work sector is not large in Estonia with about 50 enterprises and 2,800 temporary agency workers. However, the information on temporary agency work is scarce and moslty based on qualitative research. There are no regulations specifically for the temporary agency work sector. Also there is no collective bargaining or trade union membership in the sector.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Sweden: Sweden: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Temporary Agency Work has witnessed an extensive growth in Sweden in the past years. However, it is still not considered to be a sector in its literate sense. Since TAW covers so many fields of activity it is rather characterized as a group of companies providing services to other sectors. There are two collective agreements regulating TAW; one representing blue-collar workers and one representing white-collars and academics. The two agreements differ when it comes to TA workers respectively permanent workers. While the blue-collar agreement’s principle is that both groups should have the same wage, the white-collar/academic’s agreement focus on individual wages.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Germany: Germany: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  The significance of temporary agency work is still increasing. Both the number of agencies and the number of temporary agency workers has grown since 2004. The equal treatment clause of the Temporary Employment Act, which provides the relevant regulatory framework, has led to the country-wide coverage of temporary agency work by three competing collective agreements. The agreements have allowed the agencies to deviate from the equal treatment clause.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Finland: Finland: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  A new law concerning the responsibility of contractors and using hired work and external labour came into force on 1 January 2007. The purpose of the law is partly to create better preconditions for subscriber enterprises to ensure that their subcontractors are adhering to collective agreements. According to the Employment Contracts Act, the conditions of TAWorkers are safeguarded so that they are defined on the same basis as those for permanent workers in the user enterprise. In 2007 there were approximately 26,000 full time equivalents over a 12 month period. The revenue of the TAW sector in 2007 was approximately €1,000 million.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Latvia: Latvia: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  TAW services are not popular in Latvia. The sector is represented by three companies providing TAW services as a main business and several employment (recruiting) companies delivering TAW services. Specific legislation on TWA activities is not established. Regardless lack of specific regulations temporary work agencies try to provide equal treatment of agency workers vis-à-vis permanent staff employed by the user enterprise. Since there is no demand for interference, the position of social partners towards TAW issues is rather formal.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Malta: Malta: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  The practice of temporary agency work is still under-developed in Malta. Since 2004, a number of legal changes have affected temping, but no comprehensive legal framework has been enacted. There are no quantitative studies about the practice of temping in Malta. However, temporary work in Malta in 2004 stood at 3.6%. While the General Workers’ Union tends to be sceptical about temporary agency work, the Malta Employers’ Association promotes the idea as a means of increasing the adaptability of enterprises.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Austria: Austria: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  In Austria, TAW has recorded high rates of growth during the last decade, currently employing about 67,000 workers (i.e. around 2% of the country’s workforce). Although the employment of agency workers is, by international standards, highly regulated, by both a specific Temporary Employment Act (AÜG) and a sector-specific collective agreement, actual pay and working conditions have largely remained poor. This is mainly because many agencies pursue – despite statutory restrictions – a recruitment policy of ‘hiring and firing’. Therefore, most of the hardly unionised agency workers are – according to surveys – highly dissatisfied with their working situation.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Cyprus: Cyprus: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Given that in Cyprus the situation on temporary agency work remains unchanged, still there is no institutional framework directly relating to the definition and regulation of temporary agency work. As such, the practices of finding and assigning temporary work by special temporary employment agencies are not implemented in Cyprus; no provision is made for the term temporary agency work as a separate type of employment relationship either by the law or by collective labour agreement, while the placement of temporary employees in companies by means of specialized agencies is practically non-existent.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Czech Republic: Czech Republic: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Although on the rise in the Czech Republic, agency employment is still in its early days compared to western Europe and is chiefly the domain of less qualified manufacturing labourers. Agencies (e.g. one of the market leaders Trenkwalder) themselves confirm that Czechs are still relatively unwilling to work in short-term jobs and still prefer long-term employment. It is expected, however, that the existing upward trend in the use of agency work will continue and it should take on the form common in western Europe.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Poland: Poland: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Recent years have seen dynamic growth of the temporary work market in Poland, to mention only the fact that the number of temporary workers has increased from 167,000 in 2004 to 486,000 in 2007. It was hoped that the controversies surrounding this form of employment (complaints by the trade unions) might be resolved through amendment of the law regulating temporary agency work. A workable compromise has been reached within the Tripartite Commission in the summer of 2007, but there is little to indicate that it is about to be implemented.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Lithuania: Lithuania>: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  In Lithuania, there has been no legislation governing TAW. There is a Draft Law on Temporary Agency Work that has been submitted to the concerned parties for consideration. The social partners have been failing to reach an agreement as to the strictness of regulations imposed by the law: employers seek more liberal regulation of temporary agency work, while trade unions prefer stricter regulation thereof. As long as the sector is not formally “legalised”, there is no statistical information to be used for the assessment of the sector. However, we can say that the phenomenon of TAW is not manifesting on a large scale in Lithuania.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Luxembourg: Luxembourg : Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  In 2007, 8003 temporary agency workers were employed (on average, compared with 5489 in 2004) in the TAW sector. Mission durations varied from 1 day in the hotel and restaurant sector to more than 80 days in the financial intermediary sector. The turnover of the temporary agency work sector has been estimated at around 290,000,000 Euros for 2007. 69% of the TAW workforces are French cross border workers. The TAW sector is regulated by the labour code, which specifies the mission contract, the working conditions and the conditions to open a TAW agency. The collective agreement was renewed by an endorsement in 2007 between the OGB-L, LCGB and the employer organisation ULEDI.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Hungary: Hungary: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  The volume of temporary agency work in Hungary is about 2.4% of the labour force, however, in terms of full-time equivalent it makes up only 0.9% of the working hours of the employed. Although recent amendments of the Labour Code have introduced the equal remuneration principle and eliminated the possibility of some other abuses, there is no other serious constraint as to the usage of agencies. Collective agreements do not regulate temporary agency work, neither at sectoral level, nor at user/agency company level, trade unions are not able to organise agency workers.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Portugal: Portugal: temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Since 1989 TAW is regulated by law. Collective agreements or tripartite arrangements play no role in this relation. The recent Law for TAW (2007) gives a clear definition of the central aspects of TAW and establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework. The employers’ association of TWA agencies (APESPE) has introduced relevant mechanisms of self-regulation (code of conduct, Ombudsman for TA Workers), but it has not succeeded in establishing the TAW as a sector in its own right. There is no specific union for TA workers.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Norway: Norway: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  The level of temporary agency work has increased in Norway over the last few years, in particular since 2004 and onwards. The TWA sector has also changed considerably over the last 4-8 years, among others due to the increasing importance of agency workers from the new EU-member states, and with the abolishment of the strict occupational restrictions on temporary agency work in 2000. There has been a strong growth in TWA in sectors such as construction, manufacturing and health/social security. An important issue today is how to prevent substandard wage- and working conditions for employees from the new 2004 EU-member states.

• 19 Dec 2008
  Italy: Italy: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining in the EU

  Temporary agency work was introduced in Italy by Law 196 of 1997, whose section covering this type of employment was repealed in 2003 by Legislative Decree 276/03, which changed the denomination from ‘temporary agency work’ to ‘staff leasing’ but made only minor changes to the previous law.Ten years after the introduction of temporary agency work, the agencies have risen in number from the 33 firms operating in 1998 to 81 in 2007 (+145%), these latter being divided into 2692 branch offices, 61% of them in North Italy. Simultaneously, temporary labour agencies have grown into a full-fledged sector of activity with a total of 9500 employees (directly employed at branches), with annual revenues of EUR 6.5 billion in 2007.

• 11 Dec 2008
  EU Countries: Industrial relations in the public sector

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in European Union Member States (with the exception of Sweden) and Norway. It describes the sectoral breakdown across countries and analyses the main employment trends. It then explores developments in employment relations in the sector while also analysing collective bargaining in the countries surveyed, highlighting the similarities and variations across the industrial relations systems in the sector. The study shows that, while employment relations are changing in most countries in the direction of greater harmonisation between the public and private sector, and between career civil servants and employees under ordinary contract, there is still much variation across countries due to the legal and institutional traditions of each country.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Denmark: Industrial relations in the public sector — Denmark

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Denmark.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Hungary: Industrial relations in the public sector ─ Hungary

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Hungary.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Czech Republic: Industrial relations in the public sector - The Czech Republic

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in the Czech Republic

• 11 Dec 2008
  Austria: Industrial relations in the public sector —Austria

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Austria.

• 11 Dec 2008
  France: Industrial relations in the public sector — France

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in France.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Luxembourg: Industrial relations in the public sector — Luxembourg

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Luxembourg.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Malta: Industrial relations in the public sector ─ Malta

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Malta.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Norway: Industrial relations in the public sector — Norway

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Norway.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Portugal: Industrial relations in the public sector ─ Portugal

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Portugal.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Italy: Industrial relations in the public sector — Italy

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Italy.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Netherlands: Industrial relations in the public sector – Netherlands

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in the Netherlands

• 11 Dec 2008
  Cyprus: Industrial relations in the public sector – Cyprus

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Cyprus.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Slovenia: Industrial relations in the public sector – Slovakia

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Slovakia.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Lithuania: Industrial relations in the public sector – Lithuania

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Lithuania.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Greece: Industrial relations in the public sector – Greece

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Greece.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Slovakia: Industrial relations in the public sector – Slovakia

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Slovakia.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Belgium: Industrial relations in the public sector – Belgium

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Belgium.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Ireland: Industrial relations in the public sector – Ireland

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Ireland.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Romania: Industrial relations in the public sector – Romania

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Romania.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Poland: Industrial relations in the public sector – Poland

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Poland.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Latvia: Industrial relations in the public sector – Latvia

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Latvia.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Spain: Industrial relations in the public sector – Spain

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Spain.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Germany: Industrial relations in the public sector – Germany

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Germany.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Finland: Industrial relations in the public sector – Finland

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Finland.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Estonia: Industrial relations in the public sector – Estonia

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Estonia.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Bulgaria: Industrial relations in the public sector – Bulgaria

  This report presents an overview of industrial relations in the central government and public sector in Bulgaria.

• 11 Dec 2008
  Luxembourg: Trade union federation in strong position after workplace elections

  At Luxembourg’s workplace elections, which took place in November 2008, workers elected personnel delegations in companies with more than 15 employees, along with representatives for the newly formed Employee Chamber. While the number of seats won by both of the main trade unions was higher than in the 2003 elections, the Independent Trade Union Confederation of Luxembourg clearly consolidated its position compared with the Luxembourg Christian Trade Union Confederation.

• 10 Dec 2008
  Latvia: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Latvia

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railway sector in Latvia. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  EU Countries: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector

  This report examines the operations of social partner organisations and collective bargaining in the railways sector. The first part, focusing on rail operations, was carried out in 2006, while the second part, on rail infrastructure, was completed in 2007. Each part consists of three main sections. The first section outlines the economic background of the railways sector. The second section analyses the social partner organisations in all Member States of the European Union, apart from Cyprus, Malta and (in the case of railway operations) Sweden, with particular emphasis on membership, role in collective bargaining and public policy, and national and European affiliations. The final section profiles the relevant European organisations, in particular their membership composition and capacity to negotiate. The aim of the EIRO representativeness studies 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 associations to be consulted under the EC Treaty provisions. Hence, this study seeks to provide the basic information required to establish sectoral social dialogue.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Germany: Education summit calls for more training for young migrants

  In October 2008, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, opened a special summit meeting on education. Among other things, Chancellor Merkel called for greater investments in education in order to raise the numbers of both school leavers with qualifications and highly-qualified professionals. New research results from the Institute for Employment Research underline the need for such measures, especially with regard to young adults with a migrant background.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Czech Republic: Trade union organises support fund for glassworkers

  The Trade Union of Workers in the Glass, Ceramics, Glass Jewellery and Porcelain Industry is trying to find a way to help the 1,750 employees of the Bohemia Crystalex Trading group at its plants in Poděbrady and Světlá nad Sázavou. After the initiation of insolvency proceedings at both plants, workers have not received their September salaries. The trade union has thus called on its some 70 member organisations to make a special contribution to the union’s support fund.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Denmark: Government proposal for wage commission agreed after strong criticism

  On 6 October 2008, the government and trade unions agreed in a second attempt on the framework for a tripartite wage commission for the public sector. The commission will examine equal pay between men and women, as well as between the public and private sectors. The government’s invitation to the social partners to form a commission analysing wage differences came about as a result of the difficult bargaining round in the public sector in the spring of 2008.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Ireland: Top-level pay cuts as government secures banking system

  The international financial crisis is putting pressure on the remuneration of top positions in Irish banks and at the higher echelons of the public sector. The Irish government’s budgetary shortfall is the reason for the focus on top-level salaries, with the minister for finance calling for pay moderation at ministerial and executive levels. New legislation, introduced in order to guarantee taxpayers’ deposits, requires the banks to comply with certain rules on remuneration policy.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Belgium: National pay talks get underway amid economic crisis

  Belgium’s highly coordinated wage bargaining system is organised on the basis of a bargaining round which takes place every two years. In mid November 2008, talks commenced between the national social partners on the pay settlement for the period 2009–2010. Due to the global financial and economic crisis, it is expected that the bargaining will be difficult. Nevertheless, the social partners seemed to adopt a more moderate position in the run-up to the negotiations.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Spain: Restructuring in airline sector in bid to keep afloat

  Despite strong growth in the airline sector in recent years, companies have been forced to respond to tighter profit margins through business concentration and workforce adjustments. While the social partners have approved of some of the government’s plans to revitalise the sector, they are against other measures such as the increase in airport taxes and plans for a partial privatisation of the public airport management operator AENA.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Hungary: Spotlight on four years of sectoral social dialogue

  The fourth anniversary of the tripartite agreement establishing the rules of sectoral social dialogue committees was marked this year by a conference and publication outlining the development of these committees. This article provides a synopsis of the committees’ development, including the background to their establishment, their main activities to date and any weaknesses which have been identified. Altogether, some 36 such committees have been established in Hungary to date.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Spain: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Spain

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Spain. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Portugal: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Portugal

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railway sector in Portugal. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Ireland: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Ireland

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railway sector in Ireland. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Czech Republic: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Czech Republic

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railway sector in the Czech Republic. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007

• 08 Dec 2008
  Austria: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Austria

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Austria. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operation, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Finland: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Finland

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Finland. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Hungary: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Hungary

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Hungary. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operation, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Greece: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Greece

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Greece. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Romania: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Romania

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Romania. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operation, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Bulgaria: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Bulgaria

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Bulgaria. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Denmark: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Denmark

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Denmark. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Belgium: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Belgium

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Belgium. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operation, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Sweden: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Sweden

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railway infrastructure sector in Sweden. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. Unlike the other national reports, this study focuses on rail infrastructure only, based on research completed in 2007, as no national correspondent was in place for Sweden when the study on railway operations was prepared in 2006.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Luxembourg: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Luxembourg

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Luxembourg. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Netherlands: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Netherlands

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in the Netherlands. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Germany: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Germany

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Germany. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operation, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  United Kingdom: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – United Kingdom

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in the United Kingdom. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operation, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Poland: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Poland

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railway sector in Poland. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first deals with railway transport operations based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Estonia: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Estonia

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railway sector in Estonia. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Lithuania: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Lithuania

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Lithuania. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  France: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – France

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in France. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Slovakia: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Slovakia

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Slovakia. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operation, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure, based on research completed in 2007.

• 08 Dec 2008
  Italy: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Italy

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Italy. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 03 Dec 2008
  Poland: Radiology technicians stage protest against draft bill

  In October 2008, the All-Poland Trade Union of Radiotherapy Technicians and the All-Poland Trade Union of Electroradiology Technicians staged a joint protest outside of the Polish parliament. The protest coincided with the second reading of the draft bill on special privileges for healthcare centre employees, which proposes extending the working hours of radiology technicians.

• 03 Dec 2008
  Poland: Judges and public prosecutors protest over pay

  In September 2008, Polish judges and public prosecutors launched protest actions with the aim of securing pay increases and highlighting what they regard as neglect of the justice system by the government. Both groups are looking for a stable remuneration system with programmed increases to be respected by whichever government is in power.

• 02 Dec 2008
  United Kingdom: Workers at major manufacturing company agree to cut hours and pay to save jobs

  In late October 2008, members of the GMB general trade union at JCB, the international construction equipment manufacturer, voted in favour of reducing their working hours and pay. The move will prevent 350 out of 500 job losses planned by the company in light of falling sales due to the global financial crisis. Some commentators have suggested that sacrificing pay to save jobs might become a more widespread response by trade unions and workers to the current deteriorating economic climate.

• 02 Dec 2008
  Cyprus: Gender equality lacking in collective agreements

  In July 2008, the Women’s Bureau of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour completed a study on equality between women and men in collective agreements in Cyprus. The study reveals that the content of the country’s collective agreements in terms of equality appears to be particularly inadequate compared with other EU countries. This results in a shortage of regulations even regarding aspects of equality that are laid down in law; however, some examples of good practice exist.

• 02 Dec 2008
  Italy: Agreement rescues Alitalia airline company

  On 25 September 2008, following difficult negotiations in a bid to save the financially troubled Alitalia company from liquidation, two agreements were reached for a new national airline company. The first agreement, reached between the government and trade unions, concerns the industrial plan for the new airline company. The second agreement, reached between the trade unions and the Italian Airline Company, provides for the distribution of workers in the company.

• 02 Dec 2008
  Italy: Workers vote on bargaining platform for Fiat Group agreement

  In late October 2008, a ballot was held among Fiat Group workers on the bargaining platform for the renewal of the group’s complementary agreement for the next four years. Although the negotiations are taking place during a difficult period for the automobile industry amid the global economic crisis, the trade unions argue that margins still exist for a pay increase, given that Fiat recorded its largest ever net profit in 2008. The unions believe that wage increases will help to overcome the crisis.

• 02 Dec 2008
  Belgium: Two-tier wage system triggers industrial action

  Non-harmonised working conditions between different groups of workers resulted in industrial conflict at two large companies in Belgium – the energy supplier Eandis and the supermarket chain Carrefour – both of which have a strong trade union presence. The resulting court action renewed the debate about the rules of picketing in Belgium and has underlined the difference of opinion among the social partners in relation to the legal form and procedures of strike activity.

• 02 Dec 2008
  Belgium: Social partners debate effect of EU temporary agency work directive

  The new European directive on temporary agency work grants workers employed on a temporary contract working conditions which are comparable to those of permanent employees. In Belgium, the directive will result in few changes since the law already allows significant rights for temporary workers. Nevertheless, the new directive provided an opportunity for the social partners to debate the issue; trade unions insist that the existing law must not be weakened.

• 02 Dec 2008
  Norway: Controversy over law on extension of collective agreements

  In October 2008, the Norwegian Tariff Board decided to extend the sectoral collective agreement in the field of engineering to cover all employees in the shipyard industry. Collective agreements can be extended in industries where foreign employees are thought to be subject to substandard wage and working conditions. The move has generated controversy among the social partners, particularly over the calculation of working time for those subject to the extension.

• 02 Dec 2008
  Germany: Agreement on partial retirement in metal and electrical industry

  In September 2008, the employer association for the metal and electrical industry in Baden-Württemberg and the German Metalworkers’ Union negotiated a new collective agreement on partial retirement covering about 800,000 employees in the region. The new agreement will take effect on 1 January 2010 and cannot be cancelled before 31 January 2016. The accord entitles up to 4% of employees in metal and electrical establishments in Baden-Württemberg to partial retirement under certain circumstances.

• 02 Dec 2008
  Czech Republic: Police officers and firefighters demonstrate for more pay

  In October 2008, police officers, firefighters and prison guards took part in a demonstration outside the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, demanding pay rises and payment for overtime work. Overall, about 1,000 demonstrators took part, although the trade unions claimed that about 2,500 workers demonstrated. The Ministry of the Interior claimed that police officers demands were unreasonable, while it considered the firefighters’ demands legitimate.

• 02 Dec 2008
  Czech Republic: Employers slam trade unions’ pay demands

  Employers are concerned about the trade unions’ pay demands for 2009, which they view as disproportionate. Whereas the Czech Chamber of Commerce is currently approving of a maximum increase in nominal wages of 6%, the trade unions are seeking a nominal wage growth of at least 8% in the private sector next year. The trade unions’ wage growth expectations for state employees in 2009 are also considered to be far removed from the government-approved budget.