Germany: chemical union going to push for a 3 day week for the over 60s

Peter Hoffmann, member of the federal office of the IG BCE chemical union explained on Wednesday September 17, 2014 that during the next round of negotiations at the beginning of 2015 his union wanted to establish a 3 day working week for the over 60s. Such a move would entail significant wage compensation. This proposition, put forward by the commission for collective union negotiations, comes at a time when a government commission is working on a new pensions model called  ‘flexible retirement’  (Flexi-Rente) which, in its broadest terms, appeals to both employers and unions and could herald the end of a unique retirement age.
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Three or four day working week. Under growing pressure from an ageing workforce, the struggle to maintain return on employees whilst improving working conditions is one of the main priorities of the social partners in the German chemical sector. In the space of one week, the big chemicals union announced a major initiative promoting health in all companies operating in the sector (cf. article No. 8583). Then on Wednesday September 17, 2014, Peter Hoffmann, member of the federal union office hea

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