Collective Bargaining

The cabinet agreed on a reform during the summer break that was labelled the ‘work deal’. One key feature in the deal, which includes some 20 measures, is the reform of unemployment benefit payments. During the first six months that workers are unemployed, they will receive a higher level of unemployment benefit than is currently the case. After six months the level of unemployment benefit paid will fall more rapidly that up to now. The package led to divergent reactions. Trade union confederation ABVV/FGTB has announced a general strike on 2 October to protest against the deal and the still pending reform of the pension system.

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The PNO seamen’s federation has called a 24-hour strike for 3 September, while the tourist season is still going on. The seamen are protesting the fact that their demands for better pay and improved working conditions were rejected. The association representing the ferry companies urged the union to call off their strike action because it would leave 180.000 passengers stranded. The union rejected a 1% pay increase and is campaigning for a 5% improvement, stating that wages have not been increased in the last 8 years.

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Trade union IG Bau that has been rather successful this summer with its negotiations broke up the talks with the employers in the painters’ sector (with around 130,000 workers). The union said that the employers came up with a ‘subterranean’ proposal. The very meagre proposal that only referred to a wage improvement oriented at the inflation rates (between 2.1 and 2.65%) should run over a period of 29 months. The union has formulated demands for a 6% pay increase and the improvement of the 13th month payment. Also, a first meeting in the frame of mediation ended without result.

Read on: in German … in German (2) … Overview of bargaining results in the industry: in German …

Some 4500 workers at Uljani, the countries’ largest shipbuilding group, went on strike to protest unpaid salaries. They called for management to step down because the workers have lost confidence in them. The unions said that strikes will end once July salaries are paid. The workers marched down the streets and were joined by more and more citizens during their protests. After a meeting with the government, a trade union spokesperson stated that efforts are being made to secure funds through commercial bank loans.

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The coalition government has reached a framework agreement on increasing public sector salaries. The idea is to apply a differentiated range of salary increases of about 8% on average, with workers with the lowest salaries will get the highest increases. Most workers will receive a 4% rise and for certain categories it ranges from 7.3 to 15.9%. Earlier in August it was agreed to increase the salaries of teachers by 15%, not including bonuses. Non-teaching school workers will receive a 10% increase.

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The education minister announced that the monthly minimum wage of teachers will increase to at least 1,250 euro in 2019. This will bring the average wage to at least 1,500 euro. The minister called together a working group that will review measures directed toward teacher training, assess the efficiency of the measures and, if needed, develop new solutions for alleviating the shortage of teachers. The working group will include representatives of various interest groups as well as experts.

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Security workers at international airport Schiphol acted against a wage offer of 0% pay increase and high work pressure. After several short work stoppages, they announced to go on a 24-hour strike on 4 September. The strike action would mean that no flights could be landing or departing from Schiphol that day. Schiphol considered to prevent the strike in court. However, the strike could be called off after a late-night agreement was concluded between the trade unions and the airport management. The 4,000 strong workforce will receive a one-off pay rise of 700 euro in 2018 and a 5% wage increase over 2019 and 2020. There is also agreement about measures to bring down work pressure and introduce shorter working hours.

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Pilots and crew members working at Ryanair organised a series of industrial actions all over Europe. Cabin staff in Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Spain walked out for 48 hours in July. Pilots in Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands went on strike on 10 August in the biggest one-day strike the cheap carrier has faced. The company that was notorious for its refusal to recognise and negotiate with unions changed this policy in December 2017. However, bargaining did not really come off the ground. The latest actions led to agreements in Ireland and Italy.

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The statistical office SCB published its quarterly with labour market data for the first half of 2018. The report (in Swedish, but with an English summary) reveals that the employment rate, that is, the proportion of employed persons in the population, continued to increase in the second quarter of 2018 and came at the level of 68.7%; an increase of 0.6 percentage points compared with the same period in 2017. Although unemployment among youngsters is decreasing, it stays at a high level in the age group of 15-24 (20.6%).

The Swedish Report: in English …

The 40-hour workweek – five days at eight hours – has historically been the standard in the country. The standard working week of 41.1 hours rates among the longest in Europe. Trade unions have been pushing for a shorter working week by two and a half hours while maintaining the same level of income, in the campaign ‘End of the Long Work Week’. A recent survey shows that workers are even dreaming of much more – a five-hour work day and unlimited holidays. The survey revealed that 45% of the respondents would welcome a five-hour work day, saying it would significantly reduce their stress and boost their well-being.

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