Solidarity with Danish sisters as employers threaten to impose massive lockout
[Copenhagen, 14 March 2018, news from EWL Danish members] Over the past months, Danish trade unions have been trying to negotiate a new collective agreement to keep public sector wages in line with wage developments in the private sector and a decrease of the gender pay gap. The employers have not only failed to come up with a reasonable offer but have threatened to impose a massive lockout across the public sector.
In order to strengthen their negotiating position the unions announced plans for targeted strike action at the beginning of April involving around 10% of the public sector workforce. The employers’ response was a lockout warning of 90% of state workers and 50% of municipal employees. This means a temporary work stoppage or denial of employment initiated by the management of a company. The unions believe that the employers are deliberately escalating the conflict in order to get the government involved.
The unions are planning a mass meeting of up to 15.000 trade union representatives on 22nd March and they are asking for messages of solidarity to be sent. They would particularly appreciate 30-second video messages that they could show at the meeting.Hashtags: #nokernok18 #enfaellesloesning
All schools, all kindergartens and all the major hospitals are amongst those that will be locked out. In total 440.000 workers – teachers, doctors, nurses etc. - will be locked out, beginning the 10th of April unless a settlement is agreed upon. A settlement is still possible, but not likely, with one of the main issues as the gender pay gap, which the employees refuses to acknowledge.
More information (in Danish) here https://www.ftf.dk/loen-og-ansaettelse/artikel/lockout-for-kommunalt-og-regionalt-ansatte
