Our upcoming European campaign will build on the many protests that have started taking place already.
Trade unions across Europe have started actions to demand better wages. Whilst many industriAll Europe affiliates are actively engaged in negotiations and are reaching agreements in a volatile economic and geopolitical situation, protests are also mounting.
Workers and their trade unions are protesting against a growing cost of living crisis, employers’ consistent refusal to accept wage increases able to compensate for booming energy and consumer price hikes, and against inadequate government intervention to protect the most vulnerable. Workers and their unions are also taking to the streets to defend peace and democracy.
As many bargaining rounds this autumn promise to be difficult, trade unions at national, European and international level are getting ready for action. Trade unions affiliated to industriAll Europe have decided to join forces in a common campaign - ‘Together. In action. For Higher Wages’. The action will be carried out in the form of a European-wide campaign combining decentralised and centralised activities. More details will be announced in due course.
Our upcoming European campaign will build on the many protests that have started taking place already.
7 June – Portugal: CGTP organised a manifestation in Lisbon to demand an increase in wages and pensions and to protest against the rising cost of living and attacks on workers’ rights.
9 June – Spain: UGT and CC.OO called a common rally in Madrid. The aim was to demand a wage increase and to put pressure on the employers regarding negotiations for wage increases. The unions demanded an increase of the minimum wage for 2022 and a revision clause that guarantees the maintenance of purchasing power if year-on-year inflation exceeds the agreed increases.
18 June – Italy: the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) organised a national demonstration in Rome for a more sustainable society based on social justice, stable and decent work including decent pensions.
20 June – Belgium: 80,000 demonstrators turned out for a national manifestation called by the three trade union confederations: the General Labour Federation of Belgium (ABVV/FGTB), the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (ACV/CSC) and the General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium (ACLVB/CGSLB). The united union front demanded better wages considering the productivity gains in the post-Covid era. Whilst Belgium operates a system of automatic wage indexation, it is not seen as sufficient to absorb the rise in energy and consumer prices. Trade unions are demanding a revision of the Wage Margin Act of 1996, which prescribes a strict procedure to negotiate maximum average wage increases. Trade unions see the Act as an obstacle to substantial wage increases.
In the UK, members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport workers continue national strike actions to defend jobs, for better payroll and better working conditions.
Our European campaign this autumn will call for:
- higher wages
- fairer taxation
- support for workers impacted by the cost-of-living crisis
Contact: Andrea Husen-Bradley (press and communication)