EIROnlineThe European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) is a monitoring instrument offering news and analysis on European industrial relations. Its aim is to collect, analyse and disseminate high-quality and up-to-date information on key developments in industrial relations in Europe. It aims primarily to serve the needs of national and European level organisations of the social partners, governmental organisations and EU institutions.New agreement for employees in wholesale and retail trade- February 12, 2007 A new two-year sectoral collective agreement covering employees in wholesale and retail trade throughout the country has been signed. The new agreement introduces increases in minimum wages and also addresses non-pay issues. Unlike previous agreements, it regulates telework, support for the family and female employment, as well as vocational education and training for employees.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/11/articles/gr0611029i.html Security officials threaten industrial action over unmet demands- February 12, 2007 The Minister of Economy and the Minister of Public Order have agreed on implementing one of the basic demands of uniformed employees in the security forces by 2008. However, several other demands remain outstanding and the trade unions are determined to take industrial action if necessary.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/11/articles/gr0611039i.html Anticipated high rate of early retirement will affect insurance funds- February 12, 2007 A wave of exits from the labour market through early retirement, mainly in the public and broader public sector, is anticipated in 2007, due to workers concerns over the imminent reform of the social insurance system. This is the finding of a report from the Panhellenic Federation of Social Policy Organisation Staff. However, if the number of retirees continues to increase significantly, the social insurance funds risk being entirely depleted by the end of the year.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/12/articles/gr0612019i.html Conflict in education sector triggers strike action- February 5, 2007 Following widespread industrial turbulence in the area of third-level education, primary and secondary school teachers in Greece initiated strike action lasting six weeks in September 2006. At the same time, students occupied more than 1,000 lower and upper secondary schools. At the end of October, following a meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, the teachers agreed to return to work. As a result, the government and the trade union federations had to examine ways to make up for lost...http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/11/articles/gr0611019i.html |