30 Years of Collective Bargaining: UNI Europa G&P Celebrates Milestone and Introduces Key Updates

 First approved in 1994,  the collective bargaining survey and guidelines has been instrumental in helping graphical unions coordinate negotiations, share information on sector developments, and navigate crises such as the 2008 financial collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

At the 2024 conference, two important amendments to the guidelines were introduced. The first addresses mental health and psychosocial risks related to shift work. The second is a commitment by G&P unions to include a gender perspective in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) discussions, focusing on practical aspects such as gynecological check-ups, personal protective equipment (PPE), uniforms, and breastfeeding accommodations.

The conference also saw the launch of UNI Equal Opportunities’ 3M campaign within the sector. Delegates and affiliates received Equal Opportunities manuals on Menopause, Maternity, and Menstruation to help prepare for upcoming negotiation rounds.

“Unions have many tasks, but the core of the work that all unions engage in is collective bargaining,” said Tony Berggren, President of UNI Europa G&P.

“The collective bargaining agreement is the direct delivery to the members. All the important work in relation to organising sums up in the delivery of a bargaining agreement. It is our responsibility to ensure that workers in all countries in Europe have the right to elect their union leadership and, without fear of retaliation, negotiate for the terms of work. To reach this international solidarity and knowledge on how companies behaves in different countries is crucial.”

“Biological differences have a significant impact on the way both women and men respond to workplace hazards and the one size fits all approach to occupational health and safety further exacerbates existing inequalities and gaps,” said Marta Ochoa from UNI Equal Opportunities. “Our campaign focuses on the need to have gendered assessments to workplace risks as well as policies designed and tailored to the specific biological needs of our workers, starting with three crucial stages in women: menstruation, maternity and menopause – the 3 Ms. Only by negotiating more inclusive and integral approaches to health and safety that take into consideration these differences and needs, can we really build safer workplaces for all.”