Collective Bargaining

In 2016 some 70% of all collective agreements will have to be renegotiated for around 3 million workers. Not only the partners in collective bargaining are preparing their position. The central bank (Riksbank) published an article (Conditions for the 2016 wage bargaining round). According to the Riksbank's forecast, the rate of wage increases will rise in the next few years as the labour market strengthens and inflation rises, and real wages will increase slightly more slowly than productivity. A report of the National Institute of Economic Research also reveals that there are good opportunities for a gradual increase in wages for those who are established in the labour market.
English: http://www.riksbank.se/Documents/Rapporter/PPR/2015 .
http://www.konj.se/download ...

Data from the Office for National Statistics reveal that the number of workers on zero-hours contracts has risen to 744,000 (an increase with 19% in one year). The ONS also found that 40% of those on such contracts wanted to work more hours than they were offered, suggesting that seven years after the financial crash many employers are still operating below their capacity. Research has shown that workers on zero-hours contracts earn less per hour than staff in similar roles and are denied benefits such as sick pay.
English: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/02/number-of-workers .
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lmac/contracts-with-no-guaranteed-hours .

Equal times reports about a debate that is going on related to a possible pilot with a basic income. According to proponents of such a universal, or unconditional, basic income (UBI) it will solve most of society's current ills by reducing poverty, increasing nutritional health and mental wellbeing, redistributing jobs in the face of increasing automation and help to create a more inclusive, fairer society. However, not only political support is lacking, also the trade unions are critical about the introduction of UBI for two main reasons: the enormous costs and the support among working people for social security.
English: http://www.equaltimes.org/dutch-divided-over-basic-income ...

The Employment and Wages 2014 report, published by the bureau for statistics, provides data on the workforce and average paid off earnings. The aim of the underlying survey is to obtain data on basic characteristics of persons in employment, sex, education, type of employment, working time, working hours, structure according to the amount of net earnings and net earnings by professional attainment.
English: http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/publication .

The government will attempt to head off a legal battle with the EU by changing its national paid holiday laws. The EU Commission sent the government a letter in November 2014 stating that the country's holiday rules were in potential violation of the EU Working Time Directive, which states that all workers must be given an annual leave of at least four weeks per year. Under the Danish rules, an employee is entitled to take holiday during the first year on the job but it must be unpaid if the employee is entering the labour market for the first time or switching jobs without a surplus of built-up holiday days. This results in tens of thousands of employees taking unpaid holiday during each year.
English: http://www.thelocal.dk/20150831/denmark-to-overhaul-its-paid-holiday-rules

Research foundation Eurofound has issued its annual report on pay developments in collective bargaining in Europe. In the report, Developments in collectively agreed pay 2014, Eurofound concludes that the real wage growth that set in in 2013, continued in 2014. The researchers found that nominal pay was the same or even lower than last year in most countries, but that real wages were increasing due to low inflation.
English: http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/news/news-articles/eurofound-publishes .

A heated debate on the minimum wage, reported in last month's newsletter, continues to occupy politicians and social partners alike. In a press conference, the Prime Minister announced that an agreement had been reached on increasing the minimum wage by 1 January 2016, but not on the size of the increase. Currently, the Welfare Ministry and Finance Ministry are rallying support for their own proposals of 367 and 370 euro respectively. The National Tripartite Cooperation Council met, but failed to reach an agreement on either of the proposals. The current minimum wage is 360 euro per month, with the average wage being 815 euro.
English: http://www.lsm.lv/en/article/economics/economy/pm-minimum-monthly-wage .

McDonald's has admitted 90% of its employees in the UK are on zero-hours contracts. The admission indicates the fast-food chain (92,000 workers) is potentially the largest zero-hours employer in the private sector, with 82,800 contracted staff not guaranteed work or a stable income. The controversial practice requires employees to be available for work when it is required but, as they are contracted for zero hours a week, employers are under no obligation to use them or pay them a set wage.
English: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/they-wont-be-lovin-it .

Dockworkers at the port of Gdansk staged a protest demanding a collective bargaining agreement. Employer DCT has refused to open negotiations for a collective agreement, leaving the dockers uncovered by any social dialogue. Trade union organisers explained the workers do not just want to negotiate for higher wages, but prioritise having secure employment contracts and decent working conditions. Despite the growth of the union, management has repeatedly failed to address adequately members' concerns over important issues including temporary contracts, pay, holiday working and meaningful negotiation. It also brought in a legal firm to handle negotiations with the union over a collective bargaining agreement. Members have reported intimidation and threats of dismissal, while ten union activists have been forced to leave.
English: http://www.itfglobal.org/en/news-events/news/2015/august/global-campaign .

Workers at ST Microelectronics started with two-hour stoppages (two in a row) in an attempt to put pressure on the negotiations for a new pay deal. Trade union GWU that ordered the industrial action called on the company not to play for time. The trade union demanded talks with the overseas management and said its proposals were not unreasonable, given the austerity measures, which the workers had endured over the years. The company is one of the biggest exporters and employs 1,600 workers.
English: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles .