Latest news from local government & public services unions in europe - epsucob@NEWS Collective Bargaining in the Public Services

Europe	ETUC collective bargaining committee – economic governance and labour reform in Romania The ETUC’s collective bargaining committee met on 4 April to discuss the latest developments around the Euro-Plus competitiveness pact and economic governance.  Read more at > EPSU (EN)
Europe	ETUC continues to challenge economic governance proposals The ETUC used last month’s tripartite social summit to maintain its criticism of the European Commission’s economic governance proposals and the Competitiveness Pact that calls for wage moderation and decentralisation of wage determination.  Read more at > ETUC (EN) And in French at > CES
Switzerland	Unions campaign for legal minimum wage The VPÖD/SSP public service union is working with other trade unions to win support for a petition calling for a legal minimum wage.
Austria	Legal backing for minimum wages in collective agreements New legislation will come into effect next month that will impose tougher sanctions on employers who fail to pay the minimum wage that has been negotiated in their sector. .
Norway	Private sector deal targets low paid and includes equality proposals Negotiations between unions and the NHO private sector employers’ organisation have delivered a NOK 6000 (€768) increase for lower paid workers – those workers who are paid less than 90% of the average wage in the manufacturing sector. . Read more at > Fagforbundet (NO)
UK	Government plans to end two-tier code in public sector The coalition government is moving closer to the abolition of the two-tier code that is an important element in the protection of the pay and conditions of public service workers. The code was negotiated with the previous Labour government and was established to ensure that private contractors providing public services would apply the minimum rates that applied in the public sector and that these rates would also apply to any new workers taken on. UNISON fears that abolition of the code will mean wages will be cut as private companies undercut the public sector and each other to win contracts. Read more at > UNISON (EN)
Finland	Survey shows public opposition to job cuts A public opinion poll commissioned by the Pardia state sector union shows a large majority (85%) opposed to job cuts because of the impact on quality of services. . Read more at > Pardia (EN)
Sweden	Report emphasizes need for better pay and conditions in eldercare Municipal workers’ union Kommunal has published a new report that reveals a dramatic decline in the number of young people interested to work in elder care.  Read more at > Kommunal (SE)
Germany	Union calls for regions to implement pay deal following large vote in favour Ver.di members in regional government voted 83% in favour of the recently negotiated pay deal that runs to December 2012.    Read more at > ver.di (DE)
Denmark	Low turnout but large “yes” vote for local and regional government deal The two-year agreement in local and regional government has been approved by the members of the main municipal union FOA. . Read more at > FOA (DK)
France	Public service unions sign new agreement to improve rights of public sector employees Public service federations have been trying for some time to negotiate improved rights for around 900,000 workers in central and local government and the health service who have employment contracts rather than full civil service status.  Read more at > CGT (FR) And at > FO (FR) And at > CFDT (FR)
Austria	Pay rise for Viennese utilities workers The GDG-KMSFB local government union has negotiated a new agreement covering around 15,800 employees of Viennese municipal companies, including energy workers. . Read more at > GDG-KMSFB (DE)
Spain	Union wins backing from tribunal over right to strike The FSC-CCOO public service federation as welcomed the ruling from a administrative tribunal against the Ministry of Justice over minimum services during industrial action. . Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)
France	Social workers mobilise again The public service unions’ campaign to secure improved pay and recognition of qualifications for social workers continues on 7 April. . Read more at > CGT Services Publics (FR) And at > CFDT-Interco (FR)
Estonia	Further moves towards energy strike Workers at the Narva power plant are continuing to demand a 25% pay increase and have set up a strike committee in preparation for possible industrial action to support their claim.  Read more at > ERR news website (EN) Advice from EPSU   www.epsu.org