News

The 12^th Collective Bargaining Conference for the Graphical & Packaging Sector convened in Brussels last week.



The conference was attended by 22 delegates from 10 countries.



David Tarren, from ADAPT International Consultancy provided the analysis of the annual Collective Bargaining survey (2011)



The overall analysis showed that within the graphical sector the target increase of inflation plus productivity was not met, however when existing agreements (ie agreements which are renegotiated) were analysed the negotiated outcomes were close to the guideline target of inflation plus productivity.



The countries represented provided additional updates on the collective bargaining outcomes and the clear message from these reports was that collective bargaining is under continual attack from employers and governments and that unions must continue to maintain their efforts to achieve wage and social justice for our members.



In addition to the reports on the outcomes of the annual survey a presentation on the ‘Social and economical situation and perspectives in Europe’ by the ETUC Collective Bargaining Coordinator Ronald Janssen was provided.



In his presentation he also referred to the continual attack and pressure that is being exerted on collective bargaining and the changes that are being sought to labour regulations throughout Europe.



Participants in the conference expressed their support for the continuation of the Collective Bargaining Conference as it was important for graphical and packaging affiliates to understand and share the trends that are occurring in other countries.



Contact Nicola.konstantinou@uniglobalunion.org