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Estonian unions 2008. Harri Taliga December 03, 200 8. Unions 2008. Union density rate - approx. 10% , declining 2 confederations: EAKL Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions re-established in April 1990 (first TUC in 1919) TALO Estonian Employees’ Unions’ Confederation
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Estonian unions 2008 Harri Taliga December 03, 2008
Unions 2008 • Union density rate - approx. 10%, declining • 2 confederations: • EAKL Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions re-established in April 1990 (first TUC in 1919) • TALO Estonian Employees’ Unions’ Confederation split from the EAKL in 1993-1994
EAKL 19 affiliates in: industry, transport, private services, health care, state and local authorities 18 employees – headquarters in Tallinn + 6 regional offices
Priorities for unions • Organising and recruiting members • Increasing representativity • Increasing bargaining capacity • Increasing ability to take industrial actions • 2004 – 2007 EAKL and affiliates organised 14-16 strikes, demonstrations, picket lines every year
Changes in membership • Membership increase • 2007 – 9 affiliated organisations (+ 1630) • 2006 – 8 affiliates (+ 921) • 2005 – 7 affiliates (+ 779) • 2004 – 6 affiliates (+ 893) • Membership decrease • Dismissals in industry sector: delocalisation, outsorcing etc
Collective agreements • Total coverage – 28% • 1 national agreement • 2 sectoral/branch agreements • public transport • health care • Energy, railway, mining covered by company agreements
Challenges • Changes in economic environment • Slow-down in GDP growth • 8,7% p.a. in 2000-2007 → - 2,2% in 2008 and -3,6% in 2009 • Increasing unemployment • 4,7% 2007 → 5,3% 2008; 8,6% 2009 and 9,3% 2010 • High inflation • 6,6% 2007 → 10,6% 2008, lowering 2009-2010
Challenges (2) • Unionfree Estonia? • Will to cut unions’ rights • Amendments in legal acts • Government’s position in Laval and Viking cases • EAKL’s complaints to the CFA/ILO
Challenges (3) • Labour law reform - flexicurity • LCA or CLA? • Hidden agenda – to increase the dependence of the workforce • Very primitive concept of flexibility • Tripartite (delegations) agreement on the bill – 23.04.2008
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