Collective Bargaining

According to Eurostat there is a downward trend in the share of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU. But still around 109 million people are in this situation. In 2018, 109.2 million people, or 21.7% of the population, in the European Union (EU) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This means that they were in at least one of the following three conditions: at risk of poverty after social transfers (income poverty), severely materially deprived or living in households with very low work intensity.

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A report by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the Syndicate of Journalists of the Czech Republic and some other partners reveals the state of media in the country. It notices that the prime minister’s close link to the media he used to own is totally unacceptable for a democracy and how easy it is to put pressure on the media by the parliament and the government. It advises that the financing of media has to be addressed both within public service media and private media.

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Operators of GoSafe speed vans went on weekend strike over the October Bank Holiday weekend in a dispute over working conditions and union recognition. The employees were on strike for 72 hours. The workers, who are members of the union SIPTU, have also begun additional industrial action.

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The main theme of the autumn tripartite social summit of the European Union was ‘Progressing on the social and economic dimensions for a competitive, fair and sustainable Europe: The role of social partners and social dialogue’. Discussions at this summit focused on three areas: a just transition to a climate neutral economy, investing in skills and improving access to adult training and designing an industrial policy fit for the future.

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What can we learn from the future of work in Denmark? This article addresses collective agreements in the gig economy, a flexible approach to economic security and trade unions using technology to redesign jobs.

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In its recently published Annual Review of Working Life 2018, Eurofound reported that Malta has recorded its lowest ever percentage of workers belonging to a union, despite the fact that the Registrar of Trade Unions had reported that Trade Union membership increased by 1,562 during that year. Yet, that year saw an increase of some 13,000 in the working population. This means that less and less persons joining the official working force are becoming trade union members.

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Rail workers in Norway went on a two-hour strike, bringing the country’s railway system to a halt. They were protesting the implementation of the European Union’s fourth railway regulations package, which is likely to weaken the country’s control of its services. The workers raised the demand that railway regulations in the country be formulated and decided on by Norwegian officials. Several railway unions, including the Norsk Lokomotiv-mannsforbund (NLF) and the Norsk Jernbaneforbund (NJF), participated in the strike.

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The government in Bucharest has launched an advertising campaign to encourage workers to come home. It is putting in place a range of incentives made up of grants and loans. The labour minister said: ‘We want all Romanians to come home if possible’.

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Three trade union confederations criticised the Union of Luxembourgish Enterprises (UEL). The three urge the UEL to abandon its ‘empty chair’ policy at the Standing Committee on Labour and Employment. The unions also stated that the UEL's provocative attitude undermined their achievements of the last 40 years.

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Under the banner of ‘Together for tomorrow in solidarity and justice’ the 478 delegates of the 24th ordinary congress of IG Metall, held a congress in Nuremberg. IG Metall with a membership of 2.2 million members, represents workers in industrial sectors of the economy. The congress adopted a Manifesto of IG Metall in a new era defining the goal of its work for the next few years: Shaping the transformation. Protecting people, shaping work, using digital opportunities! With safety, justice and self-determination.

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Deutsche Bank restructures, 18,000 jobs lost

October 8, 201

Deutsche Bank AG intends to make about half its planned 18,000 job cuts in Germany as it relies on savings at the retail units to lower costs, according to people familiar with the matter. This means that more than 40% of the personnel will lose their means of existence to lower costs for the company. Deutsche Bank is just one of many large lenders that have recently announced staff reductions, though its effort is the biggest by far.

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