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September 2010

• 23 Sep 2010
  Sweden: Split shifts prove a divisive issue in transport sector bargaining round

  In this year’s bargaining round in the transport sector, the increasingly common use of split-shift working was a divisive issue. Unions demanded an end to the growing use of such schedules, wanting to see an absolute prohibition of them written into the 2010 collective agreement. After strike action was threatened, it was agreed that employers should only use split-shift rotas when absolutely necessary, and only after evaluating their impact on workers’ social and family life.

• 23 Sep 2010
  Luxembourg: Failure of Tripartite Coordination Committee talks

  On 27 April 2010, the Tripartite Coordination Committee announced the failure of discussions about the competitiveness of Luxembourg’s economy, employment policies and public finances. The government reported that talks had broken down mainly over the controversial issue of index-linked salaries and the need to reform this system of automatic wage rises. Such a deadlock in tripartite talks has occurred only once before, leading then to the general strike in 1982.

• 23 Sep 2010
  Romania: Government’s shock tactics for recession

  President Traian Băsescu of Romania announced on 6 May a 25% cut in public sector salaries, and a 15% reduction in pension payments, unemployment and other welfare benefits. On 29 June, the government ratified the measures, except for the pension cut, which was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Romania. Protests from the unions were unsuccessful, although the International Labour Organization said the cuts gravely violate international conventions.

• 23 Sep 2010
  Spain: Government approves law proposing urgent labour market reform

  The Spanish government has approved reforms to the country’s labour legislation, even though the reforms have not been endorsed by the social partners. Basic differences between the partners have prevented a consensus being reached, despite years of negotiation. The result is a reform which, in spite of including some of the proposals put forward by both sides, does not satisfy either employer organisations or trade unions, who called a general strike for 19 September.

• 23 Sep 2010
  United Kingdom: Default retirement age to be abolished

  In July 2010, the government published proposals for abolishing the default retirement age that forms part of current age equality legislation. The move, which proposes to take away employers’ rights to impose compulsory retirement on workers once they reach the age of 65, was welcomed by anti-ageism campaigners and trade unions. However, employers’ groups have expressed concern about the speed with which the change is likely to be introduced and its potential consequences.

• 23 Sep 2010
  Romania: Dispute over taxation of occupational revenues

  The Romanian government introduced an emergency measure on 26 June 2010 to amend the Tax Code Act. The measure, with effect from July 2010, means freelances, such as journalists, must pay social insurance contributions at a rate of about 16.5%, with their income tax increasing from 10% to 16%. Copyright revenues will also be taxed. The measure, attacked by unions representing teachers, those working in research and development, arts and the media, is to be challenged in court.

• 17 Sep 2010
  Greece: New law facilitates dismissals and cuts labour costs

  In a further response to the crisis which left Greece on the brink of bankruptcy in early 2010, the government has passed a new labour law that introduces a series of changes of great institutional importance. It halves the severance pay of white-collar workers by 50%, lowers the threshold for collective dismissals, reduces overtime costs and reduces the minimum wage for young workers. Workers’ access to mediation and arbitration services is also likely to be restricted.

• 17 Sep 2010
  France: New agreement on Portage Salarial

  Four of the main trade unions in France have signed a new agreement on Portage Salarial (sometimes translated as ‘umbrella companies’) covering specialist workers (executives). The mechanism is only applicable to genuine executives and temporary work agencies will only be allowed to enter into contracts with executives if they set up a subsidiary Portage Salarial company. More negotiations are likely and legislation is needed to bring the agreement into operation.

• 17 Sep 2010
  EU Level: Extended international framework agreement at PSA Peugeot Citroën

  During summer 2010, an international framework agreement was renewed by the International Metalworkers’ Federation, the European Metalworkers’ Federation and PSA Peugeot Citroën. The new agreement strengthens PSA Peugeot Citroën’s commitments to international core labour standards and asks business partners to follow suit. It also establishes a World Works Council and gives unions a role in implementing environmental protection and sustainable development objectives.

• 10 Sep 2010
  Slovakia: Social partners discuss employment of ageing workforce

  Within the framework of the EU project Ageing Workforce 2, a conference entitled ‘Ageing workforce – a challenge or a threat’ took place on 25 June 2010 in Bratislava. Organised by the National Union of Employers, it was attended by representatives of employers, trade unions, the Slovak Statistical Office and experts from research institutions. Delegates analysed the reality of the situation faced by companies and offered their views on Slovakia’s ageing workforce.

• 10 Sep 2010
  Germany: Labour Court ruling on collective agreements provokes social partner debate

  In June 2010, Germany’s Federal Labour Court ruled that different collective agreements can exist in one company. This decision has provoked a heated debate among the country’s social partners. The German Confederation of Employers’ Associations and the Confederation of Trade Unions have jointly called for a return to the principle that only one collective agreement should apply at company level. Occupational unions, on the other hand, have welcomed the court’s decision.

• 10 Sep 2010
  Hungary: Rail lines reopen to passenger traffic and new railway management appointed

  Five railway lines closed by the previous government have reopened for passenger traffic and more are to be reopened by the end of 2010. One of the new government’s aims is to increase the mobility of the rural population. A strategy for restructuring public transport has been submitted to parliament and an agreement signed between the government and the Trade Union of Hungarian Railway Workers. A new CEO has been appointed to run the Hungarian state-owned rail network MÁV.

• 10 Sep 2010
  France: Initial appraisal of collective agreements on employment of older workers

  The employment rate in France for people aged 55 to 64 years was only 38.9% in 2009 compared with the EU target of 50% for this age group by the end of 2010. New legislation requires all companies employing more than 50 people to be covered by a collective agreement signed by the social partners to boost the employment of older workers, or face a fine. Larger companies (more than 300 employees) have the option of producing an action plan. The 79 industry-wide agreements have a number of common themes.

• 10 Sep 2010
  EU Level: European Framework Agreement on employment guarantees at Alstom and Schneider Electric

  The first-ever European collective bargaining agreement involving two companies – Alstom and Schneider Electric – was concluded with the European Metalworkers’ Federation in July 2010. The agreement sets out social commitments about how employees of energy transmission and distribution company Areva T&D will be treated following its acquisition by the two companies. It also includes a commitment to avoid plant closures and compulsory redundancies for three years.

• 03 Sep 2010
  EU Level: Social dialogue committee launched in education sector

  The European Commission has launched a new social dialogue committee for the education sector after four years of campaigning by unions to bring the social partners in the sector together. Its first plenary session took place in Brussels on 11 June 2010 and the new committee will address a range of relevant issues, including the teaching, working and learning environment, the impact of demographic trends on the sector, budgetary constraints and recruitment and retention issues.

• 03 Sep 2010
  France: Agreement to improve job security of skilled workers in metal sector

  The employers’ association (UIMM) and the trade unions (CFDT, CGT-FO, CFE-CGC and CFTC) signed an agreement in May 2010 to improve the job security of skilled workers in the French metal industry. The agreement strengthens the management of employment and skills at the company level by establishing a ‘period of mobility’ which will allow workers with two years’ service to take up a new post with another employer while retaining the right to return to their previous employment.

• 03 Sep 2010
  Italy: Same retirement age set for male and female civil servants

  The Italian government has complied with a request by the European Commission to set the same retirement age for male and female civil servants. From 2012, female civil servants will retire at the age of 65 years instead of at 61. According to the government, about 25,000 women working in the public administration sector will be affected by the measure. The trade unions have contested the decision but the employers’ federation Confindustria has approved the measure.

• 03 Sep 2010
  Italy: Italian government launches financial intervention package

  On 31 May 2010, the Italian government launched a decree designed to ‘create financial stability and promote economic competitiveness’. It sets out cuts in public spending of €24.9 billion over the next two years. Ministers hope this will lower the ratio between deficit and GDP from 5% to 2.7%. Italy’s largest trade union, Cgil, horrified that the decree suspends the renewal of all collective agreements, organised a general strike on 25 June to protest against the measures.

• 03 Sep 2010
  Portugal: Trade unions oppose new cuts in unemployment protection

  A few months after measures to protect unemployed people and promote employment (Employment Initiative 2010) came into force, the Socialist government has reduced unemployment benefits and government support. This trend is supported by the centre-right party PSD and both parties argue that austerity measures require cuts in public expenditure and the speedy return to work of unemployed persons. Trade unions, concerned about high unemployment and social crisis, oppose the cuts.

• 03 Sep 2010
  Greece: GSEE criticises draft social security law

  There has been turmoil in Greece as the country seeks to cope with the draft law introducing drastic changes to labour relations and to social security payments. Now the unions, represented by the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE), have put forward a series of counter-proposals demanding that there is a fairer social security system, that collective labour agreements be kept and that the government should not intervene in the private sector to freeze wages.

• 02 Sep 2010
  EU Countries: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport

  This study sets out to provide the necessary information for establishing consultation procedures between those involved in the inland water transport sector. The report identifies the employers and trades unions involved and also analyses relevant European organisations. There is a brief outline of the sector’s economic background. The study also analyses relevant EU social partner organisations, except for those in Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and Spain, which have virtually no inland water transport. It focuses on their membership, their role in collective bargaining and public policy, and their national and European affiliations. Finally, there is an analysis of the relevant European organisations, in particular their membership composition and their capacity to negotiate. The aim of the EIRO series of 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 organisations to be consulted under the EC Treaty provisions. Hence, this study is designed to provide the basic information required to establish and evaluate sectoral social dialogue.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 02 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 01 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 01 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 01 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.

• 01 Sep 2010
  Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – 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 inland water transport industry 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.