Brussels, 03/02/2011

Brussels, 31/01/2011

Brussels, 28/01/2011 In the chaotic proceedings of the European Parliament we are witnessing an attempt to adopt a Directive that could have serious consequences for the labour market and for European society. More specifically, whereas spokespersons claim to defend equal treatment, the Directive actually excludes certain groups of workers, namely: seasonal workers, workers posted from third countries, intra-group workers, and workers who arrive under a General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).

Brussels, 26/01/2011 The UGTT has been the target of attacks in several regions of the country. The ETUC draws attention to the fact that the Tunisian trade union federation has demonstrated a responsible attitude and that it is one of the main pillars of the democratic renewal in Tunisia. The ETUC and all its member organisations will continue to stand beside the UGTT and the Tunisian people who are fighting for a better future, democracy and social justice.

Brussels, 24/01/2011 There was wide agreement on the need to urgently meet the Prime Minister of Hungary (and current President of the EU) to discuss the crisis and Europe’s response to it, along with the threat to Social Europe, the public sector and workers rights posed by the austerity and other measures in the EU. The ETUC will keep in close touch with the unions and plan further activities in Hungary.

Brussels, 19/01/2011 These improvements concern in particular: - The social and sanitary dimension of healthcare, particularly by complementing the legal basis of this directive, initially based solely on Article 114 relating to the internal market, with Article 168 relating to public health; - Patient safety and the guarantee that the reimbursement of healthcare costs incurred in another Member State shall be at the same level as that in their home country;

Dublin, 19/01/2011 Thanks for the invitation to come back a second time to the IIEA. Last time, we were talking about referendums and treaties and the reasons for Ireland to vote yes to a European future. As someone who believes strongly in a European future, I am only grateful that Ireland does not have to have a referendum on Europe now, in relation to the current crisis. In fact, Ireland has had a great deal of support from the EU especially the liquidity funding from the ECB, but it is also taking heavy punishment from the EU and IMF.

Brussels, 19/01/2011

Brussels, 18/01/2011 The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) reminds finance ministers that labour market flexibility does not create more jobs. Flexibility simply promotes precarious work, drives out good jobs, and creates high and rising inequalities.

Brussels, 17/01/2011

Brussels, 13/01/2011 The ETUC has written to Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, expressing its deep concerns as well as those of the Tunisian trade union movement with which the ETUC cooperates.

Brussels, 12/01/2011 Yet, as the financial crisis has proved, it is unrealistic to expect countries to be able to keep to the strict rules in exceptional circumstances such as now. The bad debts of the banks and their transfer to the public balance sheet have made it impossible for countries to keep to the current rules, and unless there is an exceptional period of growth, some will still be in breach of the stronger rules by 2013. This is a recipe for a collision with democracy.

Brussels, 11/01/2011 The ETUC has received reports from trade unions in Greece and Ireland about the role of EU Commission officials in implementing the EU/IMF rescue packages. According to these reports, it looks clear that the Commission officials are ignoring social dialogue and collective bargaining processes and directly intervening in the labour markets of these countries. Diktats are being issued which are designed to lower living standards.

Brussels, 06/01/2011

Brussels, 23/12/2010

Brussels, 22/12/2010

Brussels, 21/12/2010 The ETUC has insisted now for six years on the following key points: end to the opt-out; respect of on-call work as working time; equivalent compensatory rest being fundamental; no prolongation of reference periods without sufficient safeguards; and that maximum working time be counted per worker and not per contract.

Brussels, 17/12/2010 The European Council of 16-17 December rejected Euro-bonds and approved measures to punish countries in difficulties rather than helping them. ETUC warns that EU risks of plunging into recession for 2011 and that trade unions will continue their campaign against austerity. John Monks, ETUC General Secretary declared: “The outcome of this Council is more in the spirit of the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 and of economics of 30’s. What was needed is still the spirit of the Marshall Plan for vulnerable countries”.

Brussels, 15/12/2010 It has been widely reported that the Treaty amendment to be agreed by the European Council will say that "Member states whose currency is the euro may establish amongst themselves a stability mechanism to safeguard the stability of the euro area as a whole. The granting of financial assistance under the mechanism will be made subject to strict conditions."

Brussels, 15/12/2010

Brussels, 13/12/2010 Several trade unions, members of the ETUC, went ahead of the December 15 call with a number of national mobilisations because of the accelerated deterioration of the economic and social situation in their countries. There will however be many decentralized actions – strikes, demonstrations, work stoppages, meetings – all over Europe (in Greece, Spain, France, Luxemburg, Denmark, Czech Republic, etc.) See the 15 December map: http://www.etuc.org/15122010-european-day-action-journ%C3%A9e-daction-europ%C3%A9enne

Brussels, 13/12/2010 In particular, the trade union movement wants developed countries to commit to ambitious emission reductions under a legally binding framework. Climate finance needs to respond to the needs of the poorest of the world. Millions of workers and their families face destruction of their lands and livelihoods from extreme weather events and some 220 million are unemployed and desperate for a secure, decent and green job.

Brussels, 08/12/2010 The ETUC General Secretary, John Monks, declared: “The European Union must adopt a Sustainable New Deal, underpinned by a development strategy to secure Europe’s recovery from recession, to adopt a just transition, to create millions of decent, sustainable and green jobs, and to make a fair and effective contribution to the global fight against climate change and social inequalities”.

Brussels, 08/12/2010 This Communiqué brings to a culmination the process launched by the Copenhagen Declaration in November 2002, commonly referred to as the “Copenhagen process.”