| THE EDITOR'S MESSAGE |
Issue 417 |
| DRAFT NATIONAL PAY AGREEMENT REACHED IN IRELAND |
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Over the past 20 years, the Irish government, trade unions and employers' organisations have signed a series of social partnership agreements, setting pay increases at national level. During summer 2008, with the economy faltering and inflation rising, it seemed that this uninterrupted sequence of agreements would be broken, as talks over a new deal proved extremely tough and broke down at one point.
However, this issue of European Employment Review reports that in mid-September negotiators finally reached a draft agreement. It provides for a total pay increase over 21 months of 6% (6.5% for lower-paid workers), with an initial pay pause of three months in the private sector and 11 months in the public sector. The proposed agreement also deals with issues
such as temporary agency work, employee representation, victimisation of union members and public services modernisation.
The deal must now be approved by trade unions and employers' organisations. This process is likely to last until mid-November, and will prove difficult as some employers believe the wage increases are too high, while a number of unions take the opposite view. The successful continuation of Ireland's partnership process is by no means a foregone conclusion.
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| XpertHR is business website of the year |
XpertHR was named business website of the year 2008 at the Association of Online Publishers awards - the online publishing industry Oscars.
The judges at the event, held on 1 October, commented: "As a great example of the success of a paid subs model, XpertHR.co.uk has had a tremendous year."
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Mark Carley,
Editor,
European Employment Review |
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| NEWS |
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European parliament: MEPs call for employee rights in private equity takeovers
In September 2008, the European parliament called on the European Commission to propose EU legislation to improve the regulation of hedge funds and private equity investors, including greater protection of employees' rights.
EU social partners: Managers seek greater representation on EWCs
In September 2008, the European Confederation of Executives and Managerial Staff called for the current proposal for a revised Directive on European Works Councils (EWCs) to be amended to allow for greater representation of managerial staff on EWCs.
France: Law adopted on unions, bargaining and working time
A law reforming the rules on trade union representativeness and collective bargaining, and making the statutory 35-hour working week more flexible, was adopted on 20 August 2008.
Germany: Phased early retirement scheme agreed in metalworking
Agreement was reached in September 2008 on an amended phased early retirement scheme for the metalworking industry in Baden-Württemberg, which is likely to set a pattern for the industry's other bargaining regions.
Italy: Unions agree Alitalia rescue plan
The last of the nine trade unions representing Alitalia staff signed up to an agreement on 29 September 2008 to save the stricken airline, at the cost of more than 3,000 jobs and cuts in pay and benefits.
Poland: Controversy over public sector workers' perks
In September 2008, the Polish government announced that it will propose measures to reduce the costly special benefits, such as free fuel or travel, enjoyed by workers in some state-owned industries.
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| FEATURES |
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Ireland: Draft national pay deal reached
After lengthy and difficult negotiations, the Irish government and social partners reached a draft national pay agreement on 17 September 2008, providing for a 6% pay increase over 21 months (6.5% for lower-paid workers). The deal must now be ratified by trade unions and employers' organisations.
International: Danske Bank signs global workers' rights agreement
Danske Bank, a Denmark-based financial services group, signed a global agreement with international and national trade unions in September 2008 on labour rights and employment policy, which deals with matters such as pay, working time, restructuring, relations with unions and group-wide HR policies.
France: Legislation proposed to boost earnings
In September 2008, the French parliament started debating draft government legislation aimed at boosting workers' earnings through: a reform of employee financial participation; changes to the way in which the national minimum wage is set; and measures to encourage pay bargaining.
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Also in European Employment Review
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