Unions campaign against public sector pay cut
Public sector unions are consulting their members over organising a major day of action to protest at pay cuts and attacks on collective bargaining. The unions began their anti-government campaigning at this year’s May Day rally and are planning an action that would effectively blocked key services to demonstrate the importance and value of public services to citizens and the economy. Read more at news website > Dalje (EN) And further at > Dalje (EN)
Health workers strike on 29 November
Health workers will be taking industrial action on 29 November in protest at cuts to the health sector and the unilateral decision by the government to end the collective agreement without any form of social dialogue. Read more at > HSSMS-MT (HR) And our solidarity message and letter of protest to Croatian government at > EPSU (EN, HR)
Four-year agreement for public sector
After several rounds of bargaining, public sector unions have agreed a new four-year collective agreement that maintains pay levels and protects jobs. However, the government was looking to make savings and so the unions have agreed to a temporary cut to Christmas bonuses in 2012 and 2013 and a reduction in holiday grants next year. Read more at > Dalje news website (EN)
Job cuts in public sector as part of austerity measures
The government is in the process of implementing €260 million of cuts that will hit public sector jobs as well as certain wage benefits, overtime and expenses. The government is also laying off around 5000 workers on temporary contracts. Unions have been involved in negotiations over the cuts package are arguing that the government has to analyse where to reduce employee numbers and not implement random cuts. Read more at > SETimes news website (EN) And at > Balkan Insight news website (EN)
Planned general strike called off following offer of referendum
Public sector unions have called off a series of actions next month that could have lead to a general strike on 10 December. The unions were demanding a referendum on trade union and employment rights but have now got the agreement from the government that a referendum will be held that would reduce the threshold of signatures required to call a referendum from 450,000 to 200,000. This will be on the same day as the referendum on joining the European Union. Read more at > Bloomberg news website (EN) And earlier story at > Bloomberg
Unions achieve petition target
The union movement has been successful in reaching the required target of signatures to demand a referendum on changes to the Labour Code proposed by the government. The government had initially aimed to implement the changes without going through a proper process of negotiation and this would have lead to an undermining of collective agreements. The unions are now in a position where they can try to get the government around the negotiating table or insist on their right to proceed with the referendum. Read more at > SETimes news website (EN)
Confederations try to protect collective agreements
Four trade union confederations have been in negotiations with the government in order to prevent changes to the labour code that would undermine collective agreements. The confederations called for urgent talks when it emerged that the government was trying to implement the change to the labour code without any consultation with the unions. The unions are also trying to win broader support and are collecting signatures for a petition to have a referendum on the labour code changes. Read more at > SSSH (EN)
EPSU intervenes on behalf of local government union
EPSU has written to the President, Prime Minister and Minister for Public Administration in Croatia to protest at proposed changes to pay determination in local government. EPSU’s letter condemns the government for failing to consult with unions over the proposed changes and for planning to implement a form of pay determination that undermines the unions’ right to collective bargaining. EPSU’s letter was reported on the website of Vercernji, one of the main daily newspapers. Read more at > Vercernji (HR)
Legislation could undermine collective bargaining in local government
EPSU has written to the Croatian government expressing its concern about new legislation on determining pay in local government. EPSU’s local government affiliate, the Trade Union of State and Local Government Employees of Croatia, argues that the new law will undermine its right to negotiate pay for its members and that the government has failed to consult properly over the legislation.
Unions attack latest government proposals on the crisis
The Croatian government has increased VAT from 20% to 23% and introduced an additional 3% income tax on wages and pensions as part of its response to the current crisis. The SSSH trade union confederation attacked the proposals arguing that it would lead to a cut in consumption and so undermine economic growth. The 3% tax increase was supposed to be implemented on monthly salaries above 3000 kuna (€400) but there was further union anger when the finance minister suggested that the tax increase should be applied to all salaries. Read more at > SSSH (EN)
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