The
sole exception was AKAVA, which represents the unions for Academic Professionals, whose
delegation unanimously rejected the agreement. This was on the grounds that their demand
for a special pay award, for low paid but highly qualified professionals, was not
accepted.
The pay increases which are stipulated in the draft agreement would add labour costs of
3.1% in the first year, and 2.3% in the second. A variety of other elements have been
included in the draft agreement, such as an educational package, the alleviation of
workload pressure, working time issues, a review of the allocation of shop stewards' time
for union duties, along with various contributions from the Government. The Parties have
also agreed upon the medium of the euro for the ensuing union collective agreements.
The affiliated trade unions and the employers will now start their sectoral bargaining
on new collective agreements. Such bargaining must be concluded by 13th
December 2000 in order to ensure that the incomes policy agreement will in fact be
implemented. It is hoped that this will be signed on 15th December 2000.
