News

The Czech finance union OSPPP today issued a strike warning after the employers refused to agree a new sectoral agreement.

František Hupka, the union President, speaking today in Prague said, “After fourteen months of negotiations it is clear the employers are not interested in reaching an agreement and wish to end sectoral bargaining after over twenty years.

"I am especially angry that multinationals such as Erste, Société Générale, KBC, Unicredit, Vienna Insurance Group, Societe Beaujon (Axa), and Generali are pushing this agenda, while in their home countries they continue to have good relations with the unions. Why should we, their Czech employees be treated differently?

"Our industry is suffering from many problems including high turn over of staff, bullying and sex discrimination. We want to work together with the emplyers to resolve these issues but if necessary we will defend what has been achieved over the last twenty years."

Angelo Di Cristo, Head of UNI Finance, said “Every academic study shows that when sectoral bargaining is replaced by enterprise bargaining then inequality worsens. We must stop this race to the bottom and reduce the wage gap between Western and Central Europe, not increase it. I call on the Czech Employers to start treating their employees with respect and to enter into a genuine dialogue."