Brussels, 05/01/2009

Madrid, 18/12/2008 Speech by John Monks, General Secretary of the Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Ola, Buenos Dias. I come to bring the respect and greetings of the whole of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) to one of our most important affiliates, the Trade Union Confederation of Workers’ Commissions CC.OO. It is common place to say that we meet in challenging times. You read that phrase used every day in management reports to shareholders in our major banks. It really means – we are in a hell of a mess.

Madrid, 18/12/2009

Brussels, 17/12/2008

Brussels, 17/12/2008 The recast of the directive is aimed at tightening up the definitions of information and consultation of workers. As a first step to facilitate the establishment of European Works Councils (EWS), Members of Parliament (MEPs) abolished the threshold of 50 employees for setting up special negotiating bodies in companies. In addition, the Parliament has clarified the definition of ‘transnational’ – matters which concern the entire undertaking or group or at least two Member States are considered to be transnational.

Brussels, 15/12/2008 The European trade unions demonstrated in the streets of Strasbourg on 16 December, on the eve of the European Parliament’s vote on the revision of the Working Time Directive. Their slogan was ‘Priority to workers' rights, not longer working hours’. The Euro-demonstration aimed to caution members of the European Parliament not to adopt a revision of the directive that would lead to a regression in European social policy.

Brussels, 15/12/2008 The objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and increasing the share of renewable energy to 20% were confirmed at the European Council on 12 December. With this decision, ETUC finds that the Copenhagen negotiations in December 2009 can be approached on a serious basis. Taking advantage of the economic crisis, employers upped the pressure and won concessions from the EU heads of state and government.

Brussels, 15/12/2008 European social partners identified work-related stress as an issue of common concern at the beginning of the decade. In 2005, 22% of workers reported that they felt affected by stress.

15/12/2008 The report is available in English only. To download the Implementation report of the autonomous framework agreement on work related stress, click on icon below.

Brussels, 12/12/2008 ‘The list of beneficiaries of the EU’s GSP plus system over 2009 to 2011 includes some of the world’s worst violators including Colombia, Guatemala and Georgia', said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. 'Colombia should only have received benefits in exchange for guaranteed progress in terms of its compliance with internationally-recognised core labour standards.’

Brussels, 10/12/2008 Said John Monks, ETUC General Secretary: ‘The economy is already in the grip of recession and we are facing the prospect of a prolonged economic depression. We can not afford a “wait and see” attitude, nor another sup ply side reform policy that weakens workers’ rights and wages. Social recession as well as economic catastrophe would follow this.’

Bruxelles, 08/12/2008 This agreement must place the European Union (EU) on the path to an energy-efficient economy with low carbon emissions and offering quality jobs in environmentally acceptable industries and services. The financial and climate crises are further proof that it is urgent to put in place another development model grounded in sustainable development, in which environmentally friendly industry must have its rightful place.

London, 05/12/2008 Keynote speech of John Monks, General Secretary of the Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) The future of employment I have been asked to bring a historical perspective to today’s meeting. As my wife pointed out – that’s because you have been around a long time.

London, 05/10/2009

Brussels, 03/12/2008 The pace of the slowdown in economic activity is alarming and is raising the prospect of strong disinflation rapidly turning into deflation. Expectations of average inflation over the next 10 years, derived from inflation indexed bonds, have already collapsed and are now close to zero (see Graph).

Brussels, 02/12/2008 A top priority for debate is the trade union reaction to the Commission’s proposals for an economic recovery plan, which is set to be adopted, if in modified form, by EU heads of state and government at next week’s European summit. Trade union leaders will also discuss the follow-up of the salary campaign, with a focus on defining collective bargaining guidelines for 2009 in light of a prolonged European depression.

Brussels, 26/11/2008 Said Reiner Hoffman, ETUC deputy General Secretary: 'What matters now is the rapid and quick implementation of this recovery plan, in particular the 170 billion package that the Member States are supposed to provide. What also matters is social dialogue and social partners’ input to contribute to balanced policy packages avoiding social recession and downwards wage spirals. To organise this, the ETUC, together with employers' organisations, calls for an exceptional Tripartite Social Summit to take place before the European Summit'.

Bilbao, 25/11/2008 Speech by John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) President, friends, it is with great pleasure that I come to address the ELA Congress in Bilbao, a city and region in the Basque country with traditional, commercial, sporting and cultural connections with my own country.

Bilbao, 25/11/2008

Brussels, 25/11/2008 For the European side, ETUC and TUCA believe that the negotiating brief given by the Council to the Commission does not provide for this possibility, for which the European Parliament would have to be consulted again. For the Andean side, the decision by Colombia and Peru breaks the bloc’s solidarity and endangers the very existence of the Andean Community.

Brussels, 25/11/2008 Violence against women and girls is perhaps the most pervasive human rights violation that we know today, it devastates lives, fractures communities, and stalls development. It is a major global problem, with many institutional, legal and cultural obstacles to its elimination. Women and girls experience gender-based violence in every country and in every sector of society – regardless of class, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or culture.

Brussels, 24/11/2008 The tide of recession is currently sweeping in very fast. If left uncontrolled, this recession risks turning into an entrenched depression. Interest rate cuts and automatic stabilisers – both of which are necessary – will only be able to absorb part of the shock. To turn the recessionary tide around, Europe also needs a rapid, ambitious and joint plan providing for a clear demand stimulus.

Brussels, 24/11/2008

Brussels, 20/11/2008

Brussels, 19/11/2008 The social partners together with a Euromed Trade Union Forum delegation, representing trade unions from the EU and the southern partner countries, were consulted before the conference went underway.