A five-point plan for immediate measures to secure a peaceful and acceptable way out of the crisis in Ukraine was endorsed by the ETUC at their executive committee meeting on 11-12 March 2014.   Trade union organisations representing workers throughout the European continent call for:

European economic recovery remains fragile and could be derailed by rising debt burdens, the ETUC warned the European Commission, ECB, Finance Ministers and European employer organisations. The ETUC described the much-heralded  ‘recovery’ of the European economy as weak, and clearly insufficient with unemployment in 2015 still remaining at 11.5% (according to the ILO), at a  meeting of the European Macro Economic Dialogue .

Europe needs a revamped gender equality agenda and concrete actions to address persistent imbalances between men and women in society. Ahead of the European elections in May 2014, the ETUC uses the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March to encourage women to vote and ensure that their voices are heard.  

Negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council on the Enforcement Directive have led to a very disappointing outcome. The European Parliament now has before it a draft legislation which will, if adopted, hardly advance the protection of posted workers and is nowhere near enough to stop on-going social dumping. The recognition that governments need to combat bogus self-employment is positive but far from adequate to meet the extent of the problem.

On the eve of the European Summit and a few months before the 2014 European elections, the European trade union intends to open the discussion on the major issues of the elections and on its proposals.  Pictures of the European trade union summit: More pictures available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/etuc-ces/sets/72157642541955913/   Bernadette Ségol's statement at opening introduction: "Austerity is not working":

Following campaigns by trade unions and civil society organisations in Europe, the Commission agreed to hold a public consultation on investor protection instruments that enable investors to sue governments for introducing democratically agreed policies which may affect their profits.  That mechanism, known as Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), which is under discussion in the TTIP trade and investment talks between the EU and US, has been strenuously opposed by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).  

Traineeships can admittedly be a springboard towards employment for young people.  Unfortunately, they can also constitute a trap, and that is why the European Parliament and the Council have launched a call for a “Quality Framework for Traineeships” (QFT). 

ETUC General Secretary Bernadette Ségol, on the joint invitation of the two Serbian affiliates CATUS and NEZAVISNOST, held talks in Belgrade on 26 February with Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and the head of the negotiation team EU- Serbia, Tanja Miscevic.

One of the items broached at the seventh EU-Brazil summit, held today, 24 February 2014, in Brussels, and attended by President Dilma Rousseff, concerns the revival of the negotiations for an association agreement by and between the EU and Mercosur. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has accordingly reiterated the positions stated jointly with the trade union movements of Latin America.

European trade unions today strongly condemned the further escalation of violence resulting in the dramatic events on the streets of the Ukrainian capital.   Scores of people were left dead and hundreds injured among people protesting legitimately and the law enforcement units.  Substantial damage has been caused to public and trade union buildings. This is not a way of resolving problems in a democratic society. There is a need for rational solutions based on developing a consensus based on the national interest and the real needs of the working people and citizens of Ukraine.

By a small majority Swiss voters decided to put an end to the freedom of movement of workers between Switzerland and the European Union. The  European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) respects the democratic decision of Swiss citizens. At the same time it underlines that this decision has wide ranging consequences and brings into question the whole relationship between the EU and Switzerland.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) congratulates the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee following the adoption of its report on the employment and social consequences resulting from the Troika[1]s operations in Cyprus, Greece, Ireland and Portugal. The report highlights the devastating effects the Troika’s policies are having on social cohesion.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) today warned European decision makers that international trade negotiations must be open, promote European social, environmental and technical standards, and prioritise decent jobs. Addressing the European Parliament international trade committee ETUC General Secretary, Bernadette Ségol, warned that voters in the forthcoming European elections would be scrutinising EU trade arrangements, in particular the current negotiations with the United States, and "would not overlook" any deals that did not put European jobs and standards first.

Speech given by Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Committee on International Trade - EU Trade Policy To be checked against delivery   President, I would like to thank the Committee for your invitation to discuss EU trade policy, on behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation to which are affiliated national trade union confederations in the EU, and more widely in Europe, as well as European federations covering all industrial sectors.

On 20 December 2013, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a draft bill aiming at reforming the current law on sexual and reproductive health and rights. If approved, this would seriously undermine the rights of women to freely decide on their pregnancy and negatively impact Spanish obligations towards gender equality, as enshrined in the EU Treaties. The ETUC opposes strenuously the proposals that threaten EU values and human rights.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the decision of the European Parliament to introduce in the consideration of anti-dumping cases references to the observance of international labour and environmental standards set down in Conventions of the International Labour Organisation and in Multilateral Environmental Agreements, as well as the possibility for trade unions and other stakeholders to submit complaints.

The Council is forcing the European Parliament to accept a Directive on intra-corporate transfers from third-countries without a full equal treatment provision in favour of third country nationals working in a Member State. This will result in workers being employed in a Member State under working conditions and labour protections which are set in the legislation of the origin countries! « The European Labour market will become a jungle », the European trade Union confederation (ETUC) warns.

Joint text by Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament    The upcoming European elections in May will be different this time, and Europe's policies must change too in favour of a stronger economy and more focussed investment geared to social progress, argue Martin Schulz and Bernadette Ségol. We must improve social justice and workers' rights, the democratic accountability of the EU and combat youth unemployment.

On Thursday 29 January 2014, the European Committee for Social Rights (ECSR), the main supervisory body for the Council of Europe’s Social Charter, presented within the framework of its annual reporting system, its so-called Conclusions 2013. The ECSR found no less than 180 cases of violations of the Charter concerning health, social security and social protection. In particular Greece, Poland and Romania received a high number of negative conclusions.

Today, at a hearing of the European Parliament, the ETUC presented the results of its own investigations into the activities of the Troika in Cyprus, Greece, Ireland and Portugal. The report shows that those countries where the Troika has implemented its policies have paid a high economic and social price. The ETUC demands substantial amendments to the existing programmes and mechanisms to ensure that the Troika’s policy of austerity and deregulation cannot be repeated in the future.

On 22 January 2014, the European Commission launched the 2030 framework for EU climate change and energy policies - a new package which sets new climate and energy objectives for 2030. It is positive that greenhouse gas emission reductions and renewable energy targets are binding, giving a longer term perspective to economic and social stakeholders. However, in relation to the ambition of the 2050 roadmap short-term rather than long-term vision prevails.

Brussels, 22/01/2014 Unfortunately, the Commission fails to put forward a proposal on how this potential for growth could be translated into job creation and states that it expects EU unemployment to remain at 11%, an all-time high, for at least two more years.

Brussels, 16/01/2014 “This report underlines the importance of a strong industry to support lasting and quality jobs in Europe,” said Jozef Niemiec, ETUC Deputy General Secretary. “Encouraging the reindustrialisation of Europe through the mobilisation of adequate financial means and through support for innovation is essential for Europe to get out of the crisis”.

Brussels, 15/01/2014 The introduction of a mandatory social clause guaranteeing the respect for labour law and collective agreements in the workplace is an important improvement to the European rules on public procurement. “The revised directive on public procurement will allow public authorities to make sustainable choices and make sure that workers’ rights are upheld”, said Veronica Nilsson, ETUC Confederal Secretary.

Brussels, 14/01/2014 A total of 502 people, mainly trade unionists, were called to trial in Ankara yesterday (13 January) for taking part two years ago in a demonstration against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's educational reform.