Germany - New collective agreement for railway sector
Rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the GDL train drivers’ union have announced the signing of a new collective agreement, marking the end of a dispute that gave rise to repeated strike action. The 32-month agreement provides for a 3.3% pay rise in two stages, as well as the payment of two so-called “coronavirus bonuses”. The two parties also reached a compromise as regards the application of the collective agreement unity law (Tarifeinheitsgesetz), which was at the heart of the dispute.
France - Telework agreement in the pharmaceutical sector
The pharmaceutical sector employers’ federation, Les Entreprises du Médicament (LEEM) and five trade unions (FO, CFE-CGC, CFDT, CFTC, and UNSA) signed a framework agreement on telework for the sector, which employs some 124,000 workers. The agreement, which is intended to provide a framework for companies to negotiate their own terms and conditions, insists on telework being used under extraordinary circumstances and as a support for pregnant employees, family carers, those pursuing dual work-study programmes, and disabled employees working remotely.
Italy - Amazon reaches agreement with trade unions
Amazon has struck a deal with trade unions promising to engage with them regarding the running of operations. In a protocol Amazon Italia agreed to consult with trade unions on issues such as new openings, job training and industrial relations with authorities. "An important agreement ... and recognition of the role of the unions, marking something new, at a world level, in relations with the e-commerce giant," said the head of the CGIL union.
Luxembourg - Collective agreement for Luxembourg Institute of Health
The Luxembourg Independent Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) and the Luxembourg Institute of Health have concluded a new collective agreement. The contract runs for two years, from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2022, and is subject to the framework agreement for the public research sector. A telework charter has been drawn up for the post-Covid period. This extends the possibility of working from home to the entire staff of the institute – if their work is suitable. Employees are allowed to work from home an average of four days a month and a maximum of 48 days a year.
Sweden - Collective agreement for Mälar train operator
After months of intensive negotiations, union Seko and employer MTR Mälartåg have signed a local collective agreement. The agreement covers, among other things, new working time rules and new wage rates for train drivers and conductors. The new final salary for train drivers is SEK 38,400 (EUR 3,780) and for conductors SEK 29,500 (EUR 2,904).
Find out more in the September issue