Collective Bargaining

The negotiation committee in the metal sector (AESM) finalised its work with an agreement for the metal workers. The national collective agreement (Convenio Estatal de la Industria, la Tecnología y los Servicios del Sector del Metal - CEM) covers directly 800,000 workers. Additionally, 200,000 workers are covered indirectly by company agreements. The trade unions have expressed their satisfaction with the outcome that is built around five basic principles, including a minimum wage in the sector.
Spanish: http://www.lavanguardia.com/vida .

General practitioners, private and municipal hospitals began protests in a show of dissent against reforms to the country's health care system due to take effect on 1 April. As part of the protest against the cabinet's reforms, practitioners in the cities and towns of Veliko Turnovo, Kyustendil, Razgrad and Yambol went on strike. However, for patients in urgent need, there were doctors on duty at each medical facility. The medical practitioners are protesting against the framework contract by the Health Ministry and National Health Insurance Fund. The protest is also against a change to the system whereby access to services at hospitals, pharmacies and clinics will be possible only against fingerprint ID. Medical associations say that the changes will lead to problems in a system that remains under-financed, patients will not be able to choose where to be treated, and hospitals will be deprived of the opportunity to invest in innovation.
English: http://www.balkaneu.com/bulgarian-gps-hospitals-protest-health-system-reforms .

The labour dispute at light rail company Luas (see earlier Newsletters) continues. Strikes halted Luas trams on Easter 2016 after staff rejected a pay deal drawn up in a bid to resolve a lengthy industrial dispute at the company. The trade union Siptu had served notice of strike action at Luas on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, as well as on four other days in April 2016. Drivers and revenue protection grades working on the Luas system, who are members of Siptu, overwhelmingly rejected proposals brokered at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
English: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/luas-strike-disrupts .

Based on figures from Statistics Denmark this webpage summarises the main indicators on average monthly wages in the private sector. The highest wage increase in the 4th quarter of 2015 was signalled in the real estate sector and the financial and insurance sector (2.3%). Manufacturing stayed just below 2%. The cultural sector hardly had any improvement of wages (0.1%). Total labour costs were (by far) highest in the financial and insurance sector, followed by the IT-sector.
English: http://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/loen-og-arbejdsomkostninger#

After the formation of a strike committee, Audi Hungary has placed two wage hike offers on the table but the workers' representatives rejected both of them. The proposals were for a raise of HUF 15 000-20 000 plus a HUF 95 000 increase of extra pays. After a strike committee was formed at Audi Hungária in Gyor (northwest Hungary), the wage talks were reopened.
English: http://www.portfolio.hu/en/economy/wage_talks_at_hungarian_audi_plant_flop .

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the index of gross wages and salaries in industry (excluding construction) stood at 121.7 (2010 = 100). This represents an increase of 0.3% compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the index of gross wages and salaries in construction was 114.0 (2010=100), i.e. a decrease of 2.2% compared with the same quarter of 2014.
English: http://statbel.fgov.be/en/binaries .

The labour code (Code du Travail) has traditionally been regarded as untouchable, with successive governments making piecemeal amendments to it, lifting restrictions on layoffs and working hours, but without a comprehensive and total revision. The changes proposed by the current government are seen as a test of the reformist credentials of the government. The draft law aims to amend the 35-hour working week and relax other labour law rules. The 35-hour week would remain as the foundation, but the proposal would allow companies to organise alternative working times without industry-wide deals. Workers would also be able to put in a 48-hour week or 12-hour shifts. Seven unions and youth groups have been actively protesting throughout the country against the proposal and are demanding the complete withdrawal of the reforms. An online petition against the proposals has already gathered the record of 1,000,000 signatures.
English: http://www.dw.com/en/parisian-street-protests-greet-hollandes-labor-reforms .
http://www.france24.com/en/20160305-france-labor-reform-petition-hits-million-signatures

The Kosice-based company U.S. Steel will cut more than 20 jobs in administration and management due to the prevailing situation on the steel market. In addition to the abolished 20 jobs, a further 85 employees will voluntarily leave U.S. Steel in the course of 2016, partly based on a voluntary programme for early retirement. They will receive a severance payment for 10 months, amounting to some €19,000.
English: http://spectator.sme.sk/c/20125095/steelmaker-in-kosice-cuts-jobs.html

The Energy Sector Trade Union is planning a general strike in the sector that would take place between 4 and 21 April. The union, which wants dialogue for the restructuring of the industry and a halting of layoffs, is ready to disrupt power supply if the government fails to respond. The government sees the move as unfounded.
English: https://english.sta.si/2245971/general-strike-in-energy-sector-to-start-on-4-april

Trade union GWU representatives met with planning parliamentary secretary to discuss rights of lands department employees and simplification of administrative processes. The General Workers' Union has stressed the importance of involving employees in the lands department in the reform of the department into a new authority. Although many of the employees were facing uncertainty due to the reform, they were also optimistic about the changes.
English: http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national .