EPSU - local govt and utilities news from Europe

http://gmpsiaprec.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/epsu-local-govt-and-utilities-news-from.html

Germany	Warning strikes across the public sector Around 130,000 workers from different parts of the federal government and across local government will be involved in strikes this week following the first round of negotiations on pay. Ver.di and other unions had put forward a 6.5% pay claim (with minimum increase of €200) but the employers not only failed to make an offer but asked the unions to withdraw their claim. The warning strikes are aimed to show the employers the strength of feeling of workers as the next negotiations were taking place on 12 and 13 March. Read more at > ver.di (DE)
Italy	Four unions continue to coordinate action in waste sector The FP-CGIL, FIT-CISL, UILT and FIADEL trade unions are coming together in another day of strike action in the waste sector on 12 March. The action is in protest at the state of the industry and the potential impact of a government decree that would leave the sector open to unregulated competition. The unions argue that the sector needs proper controls and management and a sustainable approach to waste that can be delivered by the municipalities. They say that increased competition without the protection of social clauses will also undermine pay and conditions in the sector as well as quality of service. Read more at > FP CGIL (IT)
UK	Local government unions go for binding arbitration UNISON, GMB and Unite, the three local government unions, have decided to approach the arbitration service ACAS and seek binding arbitration following the employers’ attempt to pose another pay freeze on the 1.5 million workers in the sector. The employers are also refusing to pay the £250 (€299) increase to workers paid less than £21000 (€25140) allowed under the government’s pay policy Read more at > UNISON (EN)
Europe	Report looks at trends in bargaining, wage developments and inequality The 2012 edition of Benchmarking Working Europe from the ETUI research organisation includes a chapter on collective bargaining and wage developments. The report divides the EU into five groups of countries with similar structures and processes of collective bargaining and analyses trends in wages. It also looks at the evidence on the impact of collective bargaining on inequality. Read more at > ETUI (EN)
Sweden	Leaving work early for an “equal pay day” The Kommunal municipal union notes that the latest pay statistics show women earning some SEK 9000 (€1000) less than men, a pay gap of 14.3% on average. The union has joined with other trade unions, political groups and women’s lobbying organisations to argue that this year on international women’s day, women workers should all go home early. Earning 14.3% less than men for a normal 8-5 working day, means that women should leave work at 15.51. Read more at > Kommunal (SV)
Denmark	Union concern over childcare quality The FOA public service union has supported the initiative of childminders and workers in childcare centres to write to the education minister to call for an end to privatisation. There is mounting evidence of a trend towards more private care and the union argues that this fails to guarantee the quality standards required in municipally provided childcare. This is in terms of the training of staff, the quality of the environment in which children are looked after and the quality of the education being provided. Read more at > FOA (DK)
	Advice , with appreciation, from EPSU www.epsu.org