Union: minister complicates negotiations

The president of labour union 3F, Poul Erik Skov Christensen, calls it very unwise of Minister of Finance Claus Hjort Frederiksen to go to the media with demands for public sector employees ahead of the negotiations over new collective agreements in 2011.

- I am surprised that a seasoned politician, who is responsible the negotiations with public sector employees, would act so clumsily, says Poul Erik Skov Christensen.

Absurd to discuss things in the media
In daily newspaper Berlingske Tidende, Minister of Finance Claus Hjort Frederiksen states that public sector employees will meet with demands of later retirement from the labour market, more flexible working hours, and more localized wage formation.

Neither 3F nor the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions would comment on the Minister of Finance's demands before the start of negotiations.

- It's absurd if he thinks that we are going to discuss this in the media. He should take a cue from the private sector employers, says Poul Erik Skov Christensen.

Provocation
The Minister of Finance wants public sector employees to display more solidarity with the rest of society. That, says the 3F president, is a provocation.

- How can he demand solidarity from people who can barely keep it together during their working day, given all the cutbacks in the public sector? asks Poul Erik Skov Christensen.

- I guess it is some kind of an attempt to come off as a tough guy, he says.

The Danish Confederation of Trade Unions has declined to make any comment on the matter.