Collective Bargaining

The first symptoms are already appearing –kiosks, shops and restaurants covered with notices advertising free workplaces everywhere. The unions are convinced that the only way to solve the problem is a pay rise. The situation is alarming as in some supermarkets there are important departments completely lacking staff in the afternoon. The unionists easily prove that it’s hard to live with 250 euros a month and argue against the employers who claim that the economy is not ready yet to carry a burden of increased wages.

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Workers at the low-cost airline Ryanair announced stoppages on five days in September, compounding disruption from another 10 days of industrial action. The action was a protest at the Irish airline’s plans to close its Spanish bases in Las Palmas, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Girona, as well as the Portuguese base of Faro, a move that could see more than 100 pilots lose their jobs.

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The government promised to reform the pension and healthcare systems, two issues that were supposed to dominate its social policy agenda. To ensure sufficient funds for pensions and long-term care, the state will have to improve youth participation in the labour market since the population is rapidly ageing, which has been driving growth in pension spending.

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An industrial action ordered by pilots, delaying Air Malta flights by half an hour. The action was called off after a court upheld a request by the airline to temporarily stop the action. The pilots had launched their industrial action over a dispute about the collective agreement and threats of disciplinary measures against some of the union members. In the following weeks, Air Malta instituted court action against the pilots' union, claiming that their industrial action was illegal and demanding payment of damages. The action was filed against ALPA the Airline Pilots Association and the members of its executive committee.

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The government increased quotas for non-EU foreign workers in 2019 by 50% up to 30,000 work permits, an all-time high number, under the pressure of higher demand from local companies claiming they are affected by the workforce crisis. The decree has been proposed in July by the Labour Ministry.

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People on a low income are often forced to spend much more than necessary, making it especially hard to make ends meet. In one of the richest countries in the world around 8% of the people are considered poor, while 3.5% are on welfare; both groups are growing.

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The SAK employee rights advisory service for immigrants and Victim Support Finland have reminded employers that unpaid internships are only rarely acceptable. Foreign employees have contacted the employee rights advisory service for immigrants with concerns about unpaid trainee positions lasting for between two weeks and several months, during which the employer wished to evaluate whether to make an employment contract with the employee.

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About 700 people have asked the U.S. Steel Košice (USSK) company if they can leave their posts voluntarily. If so they can – if they have been working for more than 10 years at the steelworks – receive a severance pay equalling 12 times their average monthly wage. With this request the personnel anticipates the company plan to reduce the number of its staff by the end of 2021.

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Health unions were due to meet the government to continue negotiations over the current collective agreement and previously agreed pay increases. The unions are threatening strike action if there is not a positive outcome and confirmation that pay increases included in the current collective agreement will be honoured. Pay increases of 3% (in August) for health workers in general and 4% (in October) for staff with diagnostic responsibilities are part of the annex to the collective agreement in force until 31 October. However, the government said it wouldn't confirm the increases, leading to an angry response from the unions and the current negotiations.

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The national union confederation ÖGB (Österreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund) calls for more rest breaks, holidays and free time to balance the Work-Life relationship. The pressure of work has increased with long working hours, too little personnel and overwork. If the workforce can relax more and better they will be healthier but also more motivated hence the employer will also benefit from the proposed 6 weeks holidays for all and the 4-day working week.

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