Brings closer the agreement with the unions by increasing salaries to 9.5% until 2024 and includes a variable part depending on the economic evolution of the country
The agreement to increase the salaries of civil servants between the government and unions is getting closer after the Ministry of Finance improved the amounts by which the salaries of this group will be increased, both for next year and in 2024, although in both cases provided that by the evolution of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Spain. In the meeting that took place this Thursday – the second between the two parties – the Executive made a proposal that the wages of these workers will increase by 9.5% in those three years, compared to the 8% that Treasury had set 24 hours earlier. . in the first meeting between the two sides. And the unions – at least UGT and CC OO – have left satisfied, awaiting their governing bodies to study the document and assess its eventual approval.
For 2022, the same idea is maintained: that civil servants improve their salaries by 1.5% (they have increased by 2% since January, when inflation was still around 4%). However, this increase will be retroactive to January 1 of this year.
The improvement will be substantial next year, when civil servant salaries rise by 3.5%. This is one percentage point more than in the Treasury’s latest proposal. Specifically, the government has proposed to the trade unions (UGT, CC OO and CSIF) a fixed increase of 2.5% with two variables: one of 0.5% extra linked to the accumulated CPI for 2022 and 2023, provided that inflation exceeds 6. % in both years; and another half a percentage point if Spain grows above 5.9% in those two years.
And for 2024, the Treasury’s proposal goes through an increase that could be as high as 2.5%. It would be a fixed i of 2% plus a variable of half a percentage point more if the accumulated CPI for 2022, 2023 and 2024 is above 8%.
With these figures on the table, the unions UGT and CC OO have shown a position closer to an agreement than to a break. In UGT, General Secretary of Public Services, Julio La Cuerda, claimed this Thursday that the organization would accept the latest government proposal this Friday. In the case of CC OO, the coordinator of the public space, Humberto Muñoz, clarified at the end of the meeting that he would have liked to see more progress, especially on the non-salary part – which related to working hours and other matters – although he showed their willingness to agree, which is in any case to be judged by the union. The organization most reluctant to accept the agreement is CSIF, the main union for civil servants. They refer again to the meeting next Monday as they find the government’s approach insufficient and will demand a total increase of at least 10% for the three years, compared to 9.5% it is still on the table.
The Minister of Finance and Public Function, María Jesús Montero, said this Thursday, when presenting the government’s new budget plan, that they hoped to reach an agreement “in the coming days”. He believes the salary proposal his department handed over to civil servants unions on Wednesday could “at least mitigate the effect of inflation” on the group of civil servants. The presentation of the state budget project is imminent and the agreement with the officials’ representatives should come before the council of ministers starts the process of the public accounts for 2023.
Unlike retirees, civil servants get an increase in their salary regardless of inflation. The government is prepared to increase the payrolls of the more than three million civil servants -with an additional payment that they would pay by the end of 2022 – retroactively from January this year, as well as the next two years, but even the amount of those three steps . Taking into account September’s inflation rate, the salary increase would already be higher than the 9% of the last month’s CPI in three years.
Both UGT and CC OO and CSIF had already touted the “absolutely unprecedented” fact that the government is considering a retroactive revision for this year, but opposed next year’s 2.5% increase which they consider “clearly insufficient”. . , as the forecasts covered place the CPI at 6%.
However, the government intends with this proposal to mark a wages path guided by curtailment, by betting on an increase in the wages of just over three million workers, well below the rising prices, at a time when Negotiations on the vast majority of this year’s agreements are stuck and awaiting an agreement between unions and employers that has not been reached.
The department headed by María Jesús Montero has shown, yes, open to compensating with other measures for the loss of purchasing power officials have experienced this year and the loss they will foresee in 2023, adding to that deterioration in their ability to purchase over the last decade that places the CSIF union at 20%. In this sense, the Executive is considering responding to an old demand from the unions: that to reduce the working day of officials of the General State Administration to 35 hours a week, compared to the current 37.5 hours, which could serve as an example. and also extend to regional and local governments.
At the same time, he expressed his willingness to make improvements in internal promotion, both in terms of mobility and access, as well as changes in the foreign workforce, albeit without specifying. Likewise, they pledged to continue developing the Civil Service Act, attracting talent and telecommuting, which could allow 90% of the day in areas at risk of depopulation on Wednesday, according to the minister’s progress.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
