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International: Sanofi-Aventis proposes "European negotiating body"
Sanofi-Aventis, a France-based pharmaceuticals multinational, has proposed to European-level trade union organisations the creation of a “European negotiating body”, which could conclude collective agreements applying to its entire European workforce.
France: Unions and employers sign labour market modernisation deal
On 11 January 2008, France’s main employers’ organisations and four of the five principal trade union confederations signed a national agreement on “modernisation of the labour market”. The accord includes measures such as simpler procedures for terminating employment contracts and greater guarantees for employees as they move between jobs during their career. Its content has been described as “flexicurity à la française”.
Germany: Train drivers' dispute settled
A settlement was reached in January 2008 to end a 10-month conflict over train drivers’ pay at German Railways (Deutsche Bahn, DB). As part of the dispute, the GdL drivers’ union sought to break away from the overall DB collective agreement.
Ireland: Benchmarking body recommends no increases for most public services staff
On 10 January 2008, the Public Service Benchmarking Body published its second report comparing public and private sector pay levels. Based on these findings, it recommends no additional pay rises for the vast majority of Ireland’s 300,000 public services workers.
Italy: Agreement finally signed in metalworking
Trade unions and employers in the metalworking industry reached a draft collective agreement on 20 January 2008, following lengthy negotiations and several national strikes. The metalworking agreement, which covers more than 1.5 million workers, is Italy’s most important wage deal.
Spain: Minimum wage increases by 5.15%
From 1 January 2008, Spain’s socialist government increased the statutory national minimum wage by 5.15% to €600 a month, the target level it set when it took office in 2004.
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