Tuesday, 2 October 2012

latest news local govt - utilities - child care - from Europe - advice from EPSU www.epsu.org

http://gmpsiaprec.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/latest-news-local-govt-and-utilities.html

Flag country
Union pursues key legal case on outsourcing

Public services union Unison is continuing to support a key case affecting outsourced workers that is now going to the European Court of Justice. The union argues that workers transferred to the Parkwood company by Lewisham Council in South East London have the right, under the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations (Acquired Rights Directive) to continue to benefit from pay increases negotiated as part of the national local government agreement. The outcome of the case has implications for thousands of other workers across the sector. Read more at > Unison (EN)
Flag country
Strike at energy company

The EL&IT energy union and Fagforbundet municipal union are taking further strike action at the NTE energy company following the failure of mediation. The unions are in dispute over minimum wage rates, travel regulations and on rules and payments applying to working outside normal working hours. Read more at > EL&IT (NO) And at > Fagforbundet (NO)
Flag country
Municipal unions support framework agreement

Trade unions in the municipal sector have reaffirmed their support for central negotiations with a framework agreement setting out the basis for negotiations at sectoral level. The unions believe that this provides stability for the economy as well as a balanced development of wages in the municipal sector. Read more at > JHL (EN)
Flag country
Municipalities must spend more on childcare staff

The government has committed DK 500 million (€67m) to improving staffing ratios in child care centres. The FOA public services union has been concerned that some local authorities will use the additional funds for other purposes. However, the government has reaffirmed that the money must be used to increase child care staff. Read more at > FOA (DK)
Flag country
Pay rise for private care workers

Municipal sector union Kommunal has negotiated a new 14-month agreement covering 25000 workers in private health care. There will be a SEK 655 (€77) increase on monthly salaries including the minimum wage in the collective agreement. Workers will also now be paid from the first minute of on-call rather than after the first 30 minutes. Fixed-term contracts will automatically become permanent after three years rather than four and there will be a gradual reduction in the use of fixed-term contracts. Read more at > Kommunal (SE)