The ETUC strongly condemns the appalling racist crime committed in Hanau, Germany. We express our sincere condolences to the families and we reiterate support to our colleagues. More than ever, across Europe the fight against far right and racist crimes and violence must be united and determined.
"The ETUC condemns the attack in Strasbourg and expresses its sincere condolences to the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with the people of France and with our French affiliates. Fear and terror will never undermine our strong commitment to peace, tolerance and democracy" says Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
Our democracies are under attack. The rise of hate, divisive, and socially and environmentally destructive political forces– including in many EU countries – are putting our democracies at risk.
Trade Unions at EU Social Summit 16-17 November
European trade unions will be at the EU Social Summit in Gothenburg, with a European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) event and trade union delegations taking part in an Extraordinary Tripartite Social Summit and the Social Summit.
Below are details of ETUC events open to journalists, and the participation and availability of trade unionists in Summit events.
16 November 2017
12.00-14.00 ETUC public event - Building a better Europe for working people
The ETUC expressed its sadness at news of an incident in Stockholm in which a lorry has driven into people on a street in the centre of the city.
The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Luca Visentini, said “I am shocked that we have another vehicle assault on randomly selected pedestrians. My thoughts are with the victims and their families, and with the emergency service workers dealing with the incident.”
The Executive Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), gathering today for a meeting in Brussels and bringing together trade union leaders from all over Europe, expressed its solidarity with the people of Brussels and the victims of this morning's horrific bomb attacks.
"We are with all the people in Brussels who have been injured or killed, with their families, with all those dealing with this frightening situation, and with those who are seeking news of family, friends and colleagues" said Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the ETUC.
Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee on 28-29 October 2015
Communicating effectively – Taking ETUC, European and national affiliate cooperation to a new level
Communications plays a central role in achieving ETUC objectives.
The ETUC must communicate with EU institutions and ‘actors’ that influence EU policy, including the media and should be able to better spread its messages and actions among the affiliates.
The ETUC makes special arrangements to consult and represent the interests of young people and women, through its Youth Committee and Women’s Committee, the implementation of Equality Plans, and a policy of ‘mainstreaming’ gender equality into all ETUC decisions and activities.
The ETUC also convenes the ITUCs Coordinating Committee, which comprises the Presidents of the ITUCs and contributes to formulating ETUC policies, especially those relating to the welfare of workers in border regions.
Brussels, 12/03/2013
With this reform, the Hungarian government intends to restrict the prerogatives of the Constitutional Court to strengthen its own position. The Constitutional Court has been muzzled. It is an attack on democracy.
Brussels, 10/12/2012
The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to EU last October was hailed by the ETUC. On that occasion, the ETUC reiterated the need to guarantee social stability in the Union. The first clear signal to that end must be the abandoning of austerity policies. In their place, the European trade union proposes a social compact based on social justice.
Brussels, 12/10/2012
Commenting the Nobel Peace Prize awarded by the EU, Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary said: “This is good news and a welcome reminder of the EU’s historical contribution to peace since its foundation. But we also need now to ensure social peace in the Union. A first step would be for a reversal of current austerity policies and the adoption of the Social Compact for Europe that the ETUC has proposed”.
Brussels, 30/03/2012
The Revised European Social Charter, together with its Protocols, constitute the main tools for guaranteeing the protection of fundamental social rights in Europe. The ETUC urges the European Union and those member states that have not ratified the revised charter to do so as soon as possible. It is equally important that all member states adhere to the Collective Complaint Procedure.
Brussels, 30/01/2012
Speaking at the EFITU Congress in Cairo on 29 January, Bernadette Ségol commented: "The Egyptian revolution has just begun. The Egyptian trade union movement has an important role to play in making Egypt a democratic country. The ETUC assures it of its full support and solidarity in this process. I will see to it that the message is passed on to the European authorities: burgeoning democracy in Egypt must be supported to enable it to take root and develop on a lasting basis. This is everyone's duty."
Brussels, 25/01/2012
In connection with a visit to the European institutions, a delegation composed of representatives from the trade union and employers' organisations, civil society and Labour Ministry of the Palestinian Authority met the ETUC General Secretary.
The main subjects of discussion were the promotion of social dialogue and the implementation of a committee for economic, social and civil dialogue within the framework of a project by the International Labour Office (ILO) in Beirut.