Collective Bargaining

Greek workers and trade unions went on a massive strike, denouncing anti-worker programs and policies incorporated in a new development bill that has been proposed by the conservative New Democracy (ND) government. The call for the strike was given by the communist trade union, the All Workers Militant Front (PAME). Athens city buses and electric trolleys remained parked resulting in a gridlock on the roads. The light rail and passenger shipping also remained stationary. Government services were closed. Public schools were closed and hospitals operated on skeleton staff. Flights were grounded for three hours. Although the strike was primarily a public sector one, private-sector unions were also present. Banks remained closed and some retail, construction and telecommunications workers' unions joined protest marches to Parliament.

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The first collective agreement in the fast-fashion sector in Turkey was reached between H&M Turkey and Koop-Is Union, an affiliate of UNI Commerce. The collective agreement covers around 3,000 workers and provides them with regular pay rises, bonuses, social and financial benefits, better working conditions, more days off and stronger job protection.

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It is time for higher wages according to economists, who contradict the vision of the chair of the metal employers who said ‘the party is over’. The employers are swimming in their money while the economy needs more private consumption, hence higher wages. This position has recently been supported by several economists.

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A survey published by France’s human rights defender, an independent administrative authority, revealed that a “fear of reprisal” was cited as the most common reason for employees’ low-engagement in trade unions. A large majority of those surveyed said their trade union activities had a negative impact for their professional growth and said they felt discriminated against by their employers. The survey highlighted the main causes for the decrease of trade union membership in France since the 1950s, which is now one of the lowest rates of unionised employees in the European Union. But for most of the 19th century, trade unions achieved some major accomplishments for workers’ rights.

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The union of public service workers (MKKSZ) and the union of social sector workers (SZAD) have called a nationwide strike saying that the government had “failed to deliver on its promises and has deceived social sector workers”. In a statement the unions noted that last March the government had vowed to devise a wage convergence plan and create the legal conditions for the implementation of a collective agreement for social sector workers. Government representatives present at the spring strike talks had pledged to deliver on their promises by April 30 and June 30, they added.

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Google and SAK – the largest labour confederation in Finland – published a joint study paper outlining proposals for action to build a society of continuous learning. With the support of Google.org, Nesta will roll out a programme called FutureFit together with SAK that empowers workers with new skills that support them to adapt to changes in their workplace. Työväen Sivistysliitto (Workers’ Educational Association of Finland) will be responsible for the practical work of organizing the nation-wide training program for the workers. The training will be carried out in 30–35 workplaces all over Finland in companies in the industrial, logistics and service sectors. Each training period will take place during two to four working days. Using innovative methods such as nano learning, gamification, and machine learning tools, the programme will generate robust evidence about what affects learning behaviour and motivation.

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Social partners from the energy and oil sector agreed on draft deal to renew their collective agreement, which expired at the end of 2018 and applies to 35,000 workers, including those employed by industry giants ENI, Snam and Esso. The new national collective agreement (CCN), which applies retroactively from 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2021, includes a € 120 pay rise over three years. According to Confindustria, the General Confederation of Italian Industry, the deal is almost a complete rewriting of the previous agreement, which completely overhauls the regulatory and pay framework of the sector.

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The Croatian government has agreed to return the retirement age to 65, just months after raising it to 67, following a campaign supported by hundreds of thousands of citizens. The Prime Minister said that the government had listened to citizens and was revising the law accordingly, but further changes would make it possible for Croatians to continue working after the age of 65 should they choose to do so. The increase in the retirement age — which would have come into force from 2033 for both men and women — is part of the government’s plans to reform the pension system in response to the country’s ageing population.

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The European Commission has published the ‘Employment and Social Developments Quarterly Review’. According to this report there are now 241.4 million people in employment in the EU, of which 160 million in the euro area. Employment has been growing for twenty-five consecutive quarters in the EU, since the low recorded in the first quarter of 2013. During the period, more than 17 million people found a job, including 11 million in the euro area. Total hours worked are increasing more slowly but steadily since the first quarter of 2013 and have now slightly exceeded the peak of 2008.

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According to the needs and choices of individual countries there are many different approaches to minimum wages in Europe. The Peer Review of the European Commission provides an opportunity for countries to exchange experiences and best practices. Topics to be discussed are, among others: the advantages and disadvantages of having a simple minimum wage system; the setting and adjusting the minimum wage level from a social and economic perspective; and the interaction between the minimum wage and the collective bargaining system, as well as the social protection benefit system.

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