About 100,000 public employees have gone on strike over cuts. The government is simultaneously in serious trouble over a corruption scandal that could strip the ruling coalition of its majority in parliament. The protests have caused regular disruption as the strike closed almost all schools, kindergartens and universities in the country of two million people. Hospitals were offering limited care with reduced staff. The strikes come in response to a plan to lay off workers and cut wages by about 5% this year. Meanwhile, about 14,000 employees in the metals and electronics industries also went on strike, demanding wage increases of up to 7.5%. Many get by on the monthly minimum wage of 784 euros.
English: http://www.dw.de/slovenian-public-unions-begin-general-strike/a-16545216
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A pay deal signed between the government and the strike committee of three teacher unions on the framework of future cooperation was disputed by PDSZ, the second largest teachers' union. PDSZ refused to sign the deal and has formed a new strike committee. PDSZ wants further talks with the government to address their demands for an across-the-board 20% wage hike and no dismissals and work-load increase as a result of the introduction of a new career model for teachers.
English: http://www.politics.hu/20130122/government-inks-pact-with-teachers-unions ...
France's second-biggest carmaker may shutter two factories in the country unless it reaches an agreement with unions on increasing productivity, holding back pay and cutting the workforce, a trade union leader said. The carmaker said earlier that it's willing to increase production in France by 15% once a labour deal is reached. Boulogne-Billancourt-based Renault began talks with unions in November as part of efforts to sustain profit while Europe's car market falls to almost a two-decade low.
English: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-22/renault-union-says-plants ...
A call for a full inquiry into allegations of `shameful and insidious' blacklisting of workers on projects such as Crossrail and the Olympics was rejected by the government. Labour's Michael Meacher said blacklisting was the `worst human rights breach in the UK since the war'. The move follows disclosures about a database of 3,000 names used to vet workers in the construction sector for more than 15 years. The list included details ranging from employment history to trade union activity and other personal information.
English: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21155535
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2013/01/23/government-rejects-call ...
Trade union federation CMKOS has announced that it will be campaigning against the current centre-right government coalition in the upcoming general elections in 2014. Trade unions have continuously mobilised against reforms by the government and will focus their campaign on the minimum wage, social services and the harmonisation of the Labour Code and the new Civil Code. CMKOS also stated that deputy prime minister of the government Schwarzenberg who has supported the government's reforms proposed by his party was unacceptable as Czech presidential candidate.
English: http://praguemonitor.com/2013/01/22/trade-unions-launch-campaign ...
The Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) seeks to improve the working and living conditions of tens of millions of domestic workers worldwide. Italy is the 4th ILO member State and the first EU member State to ratify this instrument. The country is among the three biggest employers of domestic workers within Europe with women accounting for 88% of the total number of workers. With the prompt ratification the country's strong commitment to ILO's principles and values, namely to the core concept of decent work is demonstrated according to an Italian official.
English: http://www.ilo.org/global/standards/information-resources ...
Police officers, school and kindergarten teachers are back on strike against public sector cuts. The unions state that the government has failed to honour the promises it made last May to end the strike then (see the May newsletter). Police officers went back on strike on 11 January to accompany on-going negotiations, whereas teachers have announced they will join the new public sector strike on 23 January.
English: http://www.sta.si/en/vest.php?s=a&id=1841296
http://www.sta.si/en/vest.php?s=a&id=1845185
Social partners and the heads of all three political parties signed a declaration of intent towards pursuing active labour market policies. The trade unions had agreed to meet among themselves prior to meetings to try and reach a common position. The so-called Jobs+ consensus would lead to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development `coming of age'. The Council adopts a more pro-active policy role, approaching the government with proposals rather than acting as a sounding board.
English: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130122/local/social-partners ...
An extension of the collective wage agreements from May 2011 was signed at the headquarters of the Confederation of Labour (ASI), guaranteeing wage earners on the labour market a 3.25% pay increase in salaries as of February 1. The agreements will be valid until the end of November 2013, cutting the validation period by two months. Preparations for the next collective bargaining have already begun.
English: http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/Extension ...
The Food Workers Union (NGG) is organising warning strikes at Coca Cola Germany ahead of a new round of collective agreement negotiations. Coca Cola has announced it wishes to restructure its operations and introduce more flexible hours. The company is offering 2.5% wage increase over 24 months, compared to the 6% over 12 months demanded by NGG.
English: http://cms.iuf.org/?q=node/2214