Collective Bargaining

Members of the three main trade unions took the streets in a national demonstration against the Federal Government’s pensions’ reforms after the chamber of representatives voted in favour of a pension reform project in November. The reform will modify the law for salaried and self-employed workers regarding the principle of total career and early retirement pensions. The unions are concerned that the government is introducing new pension laws, including a points system, without an agreement by social partners. They have denounced the ‘dismantling of public sector pensions’ and warned that the reforms could create insecurity for pensioners as well as having a detrimental effect on the careers of women in particular.

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In the hospitality sector, a general binding agreement prescribes that from 1 January 2018 onwards all workers are treated according to the collective agreement, whether organised or not, Norwegian or foreign. The agreement makes it unlawful to pay hotel, restaurant and catering workers over the age of 18 years less than NOK 157.18 (16 euro) per hour. Trade union Fellesforbundet hopes that this arrangement will make an end to the totally unworthy working conditions that the union has signalled among many foreign workers in the hospitality sector.

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The trade unions in the care sector have formulated a joint call for strike on 30 January in the accommodations for dependent elderly people. The unions criticise the deterioration of the working conditions and the weakening support that can be given to the elderly. Workers and families have expressed their worries several times, without success. The budget cuts have led to a reduction of staff, bringing the workforce below the critical level that can guarantee a human and dignified care treatment.

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The incoming conservative/populist coalition has launched plans to increase the daily working time from 10 to 12 hours and the maximum working week from 50 to 60 hours. Flexibilization of labour law will see workers be able to work up to 12 hours a day in what the parties say is a ‘win-win’ for employees and employers. The trade unions have criticised the government’s commitment to relaxing restrictions around working hours. Trade union confederation ÖGB stresses that the current restrictions of the working day are meant to protect workers for too long working hours. The union refers to research that assessed recovery from two consecutive 12-hours day shifts. It provides evidence of the negative effects of working too long.

Read on: in English … The trade union position: in German …

The trade unions CNV Vakmensen and FNV called for actions and a possible strike in the public road transport. Negotiations for a new collective agreement for public transit workers have come to a standstill. The current collective agreement that covers over 12 thousand public transport workers expires on 1 January 2018. Trade union FNV stated that the talks failed on the reduction of the high workload and on higher wages. The union reacted with an ultimatum to the employers to respond to its demands. A survey among CNV members showed that there is great willingness to join the strike.

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Workers at Amazon distribution centres talk about their action at Amazon in a video. They continue the dispute with the firm that takes already more than four years. In Bad Hersfeld workers have started a four-day strike over pay and work conditions coinciding with the days in which people are expected to exchange Christmas presents. Trade union ver.di demands a treatment of workers along the lines of the collective agreements that exist for the retail sector. The firm sticks to the cheaper logistic agreement.

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The policemen continue with their protest marathon as long as the demands formulated by the trade unions are not met. The trade unions have negotiated with the interior ministry, asking for a decent pay increase, but so far there no solution has been found. The ministry of interior promised a salary increase. However, that increase was not for all employees. According to the unions, it does not solve the problems in the sector.

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APM Terminals in Gothenburg has abandoned a pool of labour shared by various terminal operators and instead established a partnership with temporary agency Adecco. Ports are often faced with a shortage of permanent workers. In those instances, terminal operators often turn to temporary labour providers. According to a representative of the temp agencies, this is largely determined by whether a terminal operating company is unionised or non-unionised. In neighbouring Finland, the use of casual port workers sourced from temporary agencies is totally forbidden, following an agreement with the trade unions.

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A total of 47% of firms plan to pay out a 13th wage or a reward in a similar amount to their workers in 2017. The Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic (HKČR) estimates that an average reward could reach CZK 30,000 (1165 euro). Similar benefits were provided by two fifths of firms (39%) in 2016. The rewards will be paid most prominently in construction (61%) and the manufacturing industry (54%).

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Trade unions vida and GPA-djp came to an agreement for the country’s kindergarten that will lead to a pay increase as of 1 January 2018 of 3% for workers and assistants. Around 10.000 workers (mainly women) are active in the branch. The agreement sets the monthly minimum wage for starting assistants at 1514 euro. Another improvement is the 100% sickness pay in cases of long-term sickness and occupational accidents.

Read on: in German …