Collective Bargaining

Trade union CCOO reports that workplace accidents have been on the rise since the beginning of the crisis. Minor, major and fatal accidents took place more often in 2015 than 2014. Especially minor accidents, of which 218,019 took place in the first six months of 2015 and the 239 fatal accidents constituted an increase of 13,577 and 16 cases respectively. Workers and trade unionists report the hike in accidents is due to a combination of higher work stress and pressure, as well as a weaker negotiation position of workers and their representatives. Accidents often took place at the end of long shifts, when regular safety checks of equipment had not been carried out and because workers carried out unsafe tasks.
English: http://www.equaltimes.org/spain-precarious-employment-fuels .

In the successive election campaigns the government party AKP was forced to take the road of the opposition party CHP that had suggested to increase the minimum wage. It included the minimum wage pledge in its Nov. 1 election manifesto and told minimum wage earners that it would be at least 1,300 liras. However, the Minimum Wage Commission determines the minimum wage. Both employer and employee organisations are represented there. They sit down and talk. However, given the reaction from the employers the outlook is not very promising. The head of the Ankara Chamber of Industry stated with a radical proclamation that the minimum wage should be abolished.
English: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/akps-1300-lira-minimum-wage-pledge-challenges .

Trade union CGT has announced it will boycott the tripartite annual social conference after Air France fired four employees believed to be responsible for the violence against the airline’s management, reported in last month’s newsletter. With the use of security cameras on the premises, Air France identified five employees who stormed its boardroom during a protest against a massive layoff, which would cost 2,900 jobs. While initially condemning the violence, trade unions CGT and FO have spoken out in supported of the dismissed workers. In addition, CGT is now refusing to attend the annual social conference that is scheduled to discuss the reform of social security.

English: http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/France-Labor-Union-Slams-Dismissal …

Trade union IMPACT has picketed the headquarters of BRD Groupe Société Générale bank in Bucharest. The actions are a reaction to failed negotiations over a new collective agreement. The union is demanding a 100 Lei wage increase for all employees with at least three years of tenure, the reintroduction of the early retirement programme and a 700 Lei grant for workers to purchase outfits in accordance with the bank's clothing requirements.
English: http://www.uniglobalunion.org/news/picketing-headquarters-societe-generale .

Stage workers at the renowned Scala opera house in Milan went on strike despite recent legislative changes that have reclassified the cultural sector as an essential service. In a context of austerity politics, workers at many museums, theatres and operas have increased industrial action over the last few years. After museums and archaeological sites closed in September, when workers called an unexpected strike and left hoards of tourists waiting for hours, a legislative bill was drafted to restrict the right to strike. On 5 November, the senate passed a bill, which reclassifies museums and other cultural institutions as essential services, on a par with schools and hospitals. Under the new law, workers will need to give 10 days notice and may have to accept minimum intervals between strikes. Simultaneously, the government released funds to pay workers in the sector overdue overtime pay of 2014 and 2015. Trade unions, however, responded their fight is not over and warned more actions were to be expected. In a separate fight, the stage workers at the Scala lead the way with a new strike less than a week after the new law was passed.
English: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/11992570/La-Scala-opera-house .
http://theartnewspaper.com/news .

The management of Cargolux Airlines and the OBGL and LCGB trade unions concluded a principle agreement affecting 750 ground staff. The new collective agreement will affect 62% of all employees in Luxembourg. The current agreement ends on 30 November 2015. Another meeting will take place in order to continue discussions with the aim on finding agreement on conditions related to pilots. In September 2015, the partners agreed on a reduction of costs whilst avoiding cuts to staff salaries.
English: http://www.chronicle.lu/categoriesbusinesstransportation .

The first general strike since the instatement of the current left wing government in January brought over 35,000 people to the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki. Schools, museums and pharmacies closed down; public transport came to a standstill and hospitals operated on skeleton staff levels. Media outlets joined the general strike called by a number of public and private sectors. Journalists' unions announced there would be no news between Thursday 12 November 6am and Friday 6am, except to cover the general strike. The workers protested against austerity measures and reforms imposed on the country to qualify for a third bailout. The government against whose policies the general strike action backed the actions.
English: http://www.ekathimerini.com/203350/article/ekathimerini/news/greece-gears-up .
http://www.newser.com/article .
http://www.ifj.org/nc/news-single-view .

Wages in the public sector will increase from 1 January 2016. Wages of workers in elementary and high schools go up by 4%, health care workers will receive a 3% hike and university professors, military and police will get 2% higher wages. The wage increase, which has been a key union demand, were approved only after extensive talks with the IMF, which has used its power as the country's major lender to keep wages down.
English: http://www.b92.net/eng/news/business .

Negotiations surrounding private public partnerships at Karin Krech, St. Luke's and Gozo General hospitals have yielded workers' entitlements to remain government employees. Jobs and employment conditions have been guaranteed for the 30 years of the partnership. Employees will have the right to remain in government employ, as well as to transfer to the private sector at higher wages.
English: http://uhm-ezine.rightbrain-nodes.com/english/feature .

The shipping division of Maersk announced that it is cutting jobs and making other `streamlining' efforts. The land staff of 23,000 will be reduced with 4,000 by the end of 2017. Maersk Line reduces the capacity of its route network and defer investments in new capacity while continuing to simplify its organisation. Beer giant Carlsberg has announced it is cutting 2,000 jobs - 700 more than it had announced previously. The company is in the midst of a huge restructuring program, according to its third quarter report.
English: http://cphpost.dk/news/business/maersk-cutting-jobs-and-lines.html
http://cphpost.dk/news/business/carlsberg-cutting-2000-jobs.html