EU: Minimum Wage opinion evokes hostile union reaction

There has been a union backlash from the ETUC and UNI Europa against the advice of the Advocate General of the CJEU on annulling the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive (see last week's story)

 Key Points to Know:  An Advocate General of the CJEU advises annulling the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive. The advice is not a decision. The opinion states that the EU lacks legal competence to legislate directly on pay. EU Trade union federations have reacted negatively to this opinion.

 Why This Matters The AG’s opinion challenges the EU's authority to set minimum wage standards, potentially affecting wage policies across member states and impacting employer-employee relations.

 What Might Happen Next  The CJEU will make a final decision, likely in several months. If the Court follows the AG's opinion, it could invalidate the Directive. This could lead to a reassessment of EU-level wage policies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

EU Treaty Article 153.5 specifically says:

The provisions of this Article shall not apply to pay, the right of association, the right to strike or the right to impose lock-outs.

Union comments can be read here and here.

Social Europe analysis piece