The updated 2026–2028 National Collective Agreement (NCA) was signed on 9 October. It preserves important additional benefits for trade union members, while one of the significant changes is the expanded list of companies whose employees are covered by these benefits.
The updated agreement was signed by Inga Ruginienė, Minister of Social Security and Labour; Arvydas Dambrauskas, Chair of the Republican Joint Trade Union; Dalia Jakutavičė, Acting President of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation (LPSK) and Head of the Lithuanian Federation of Industrial Trade Unions (LPPSF); and Daiva Kvedaraitė, President of the Lithuanian Trade Union “Solidarumas”.
Two additional paid days off – also for employees of state-owned and municipally owned companies
One of the key benefits provided by the NCA is two additional paid days off per year for self-development or volunteering. The updated agreement clarifies that employees receive their average wage for these days.
This benefit applies not only to employees of budgetary institutions but also to trade union members working in state-owned or municipally owned companies, provided their trade unions are signatories to the agreement. This is also relevant to members of some organisations affiliated with the Lithuanian Federation of Industrial Trade Unions (LPPSF).
The additional days can be used for personal development, expanding knowledge or volunteering. They give employees an opportunity to dedicate time to activities that support their personal growth and civic engagement without losing pay.
The collective agreement also provides other additional benefits for trade union members. Some of these, such as educational leave and leave for health improvement, apply only to employees of the budgetary institutions specified in the agreement. Therefore, trade union members working in state-owned or municipally owned companies should check which specific provisions apply to them.
It is important to note that the benefits provided by the agreement do not automatically apply to all employees. They are available to the relevant categories of members of the trade unions that signed the agreement, subject to the conditions set out in the agreement.
Why is trade union membership important?
The National Collective Agreement demonstrates that trade union negotiations can help preserve and expand benefits for workers. It also serves as a reminder that trade union members may enjoy additional rights that go beyond those provided for under general labour legislation.
The LPPSF encourages workers to familiarise themselves with their collective agreements and the benefits to which they are entitled. It also calls on trade union representatives to actively inform members about the opportunities available to them and how to make use of these benefits.