Collective Bargaining

Together with other workers and students, rail workers launched a series of nationwide strikes against government policies, including labour reforms, which they claim are ‘destroying France's social model’. The call for protests was given by trade unions such as General Confederation of Labour (CGT), Worker’s Force (FO) and Solidaires, along with students’ unions such as the National Union of Students of France (UNEF) and Union National Lyceenne (UNL). The protesters demanded an increase in wages, pensions, gender equality and an end to privatisation. According to the organisers of the protests around 300.000 people took part.

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Construction workers and employees of the labour inspection have set up a system in which they join forces in the struggle against illegal activities on construction sites. In their patrols they will focus on violation of employment laws and tax rules as well as health and safety breaches. The system is run by employers’ organisations and trade unions because authorities have not had enough resources to monitor illegal construction activities.

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A study that was recently published in the British Journal of Industrial Relations investigates the results of employers’ duties to bargain on gender equality. The study finds that despite a rise in formal compliance due to stronger enforcement of bargaining duties since 2012, most companies submitting plans or agreements do not systematically address quantitative measurement of pay or other gender gaps. Furthermore, there exists a large degree of variation that reflects sectoral differences. Based on their analysis the researchers argue that in order to promote an equality agenda attention should be paid to the resources available to local bargaining actors.

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The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), that represents the interests of Uber drivers called a 24-hour strike in London, Birmingham and Nottingham over an ongoing pay dispute (see our September newsletter). The unions asked the drivers not to sign into the app for 24 hours in a push for higher fares and more working rights. Organisers of the strike said that many drivers logged off the app and stayed at home participating in the industrial action while hundreds staged rallies outside the Uber offices in London, Birmingham and Nottingham

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The trade Union of broadcasting workers is concerned about new legislation that restricts media’s access to public data. According to the union this threatens the political independence of public service media in the country. Journalists will have to pay a commercial price for the access to data and they will also have additional restrictions such as the possibility to only have access to the most recent financial documents of a company. In a letter to the Lithuanian Trade Union of Broadcasting workers, UNI Global Union expressed its solidarity with colleagues in LRT and called on the national authorities to refrain from legislative action, which would harm freedom of speech, the independence of the media and the fulfilment of the public service mission.

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The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) was facing the question whether or not to strike, as Parliament debated a new Education Act with far-reaching implications for the teaching profession as a whole. In a long interview the leadership of the union explains the union’s reasoning to first announce a strike and, later on, calling it off. Despite a consultation exercise of 2016, MUT had not been consulted about the new Act.

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Trade unions have joined an alliance with the Green Party, the Young Greens, the Young Socialists and the solidaritéS group to fight back against proposed corporate tax reforms with a public vote. The alliance warns that the EU pressures to reform the tax system so that it is more transparent and multinationals are not taxed at low rates is real and that the critique should be dealt with. Furthermore, according to the alliance, the proposed reforms would lead to a fall in public spending on crucial services and encourage cantons to engage in a race to the bottom with lower tax rates.

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In a joint statement, marking the 11th World Day for Decent Work, the Independent Trade Unions (NHS) and the Federation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) take a strong stand for the improvement of workers’ rights. The injustices of the global economic system need to change. The unions called for decent and safe work, with decent pay and working conditions. Moreover, the demand compliance with labour legislation and banning of work on Sundays and public holidays.

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The country’s government is asking the European Court of Justice to annul new EU rules against wage dumping across EU countries. Government states that it is of the opinion that the new rules are a form of economic protectionism and will not protect workers while it forces posted workers out of the labour markets of other countries. The European Trade Union Confederation has condemned the actions by the Hungarian government that they say primarily wants to sell their workers as cheap labour

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Mc Donald’s and Wetherspoon workers and Uber Eats couriers have been staging walkouts in a pay dispute. The fast food workers have joined forces in a mutual for demand for a living wage of 10 pounds an hour for all workers and the recognition of union rights. The hospitality sector employs around 10% cent of the countries’ working population. Workers in the sector were traditionally not well organised but in recent years have seen a growing movement of precarious workers that organise themselves demanding basic employment and union rights and a liveable wage.

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