There will be no break from the cost-of-living crisis this summer, with families facing the highest increase in the cost of holidays and staycation activities on record.
The price of package holidays, which are meant to provide the best value breaks, at home or abroad has increased by 12.4% across the EU between January and May and that follows an 11.5% increase last year.
That is the highest increase in the cost of package holidays since records began in 1996 – before last year, the previous highest annual rise was 7.2% in 2015.
The ETUC welcomes the launch of a consultation, and debate, on responding to the impacts of an ageing society.
ETUC Confederal Secretary Liina Carr said “Ageing is not just a cost. Longer lives are a benefit and should be valued for the greater knowledge, experience and the potential benefits for family and community life.”
Adopted by the Women’s Committee
The ETUC Women’s Committee stands beside women from across Europe who are fighting to fulfil their human rights, and namely their reproductive rights and their right to safe, legal and fully comprehensive healthcare in any circumstance[1].
Following the Council Conclusions on Minimum Income, it is time for the European Commission to respond with courage and propose a legally binding EU framework for Minimum Income
The ETUC Women’s Committee stands beside women from across Europe who are fighting to fulfil their rights to safe, legal and fully comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
The ETUC Women’s Committee particularly supports Polish women who are protesting against a bill, submitted through the citizens’ initiative which aims to introduce a full ban on abortion. The bill is currently being discussed in the Polish Parliament.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) supports French trade unions in their protests on 17 December.
The ETUC invites the French Government to consult, and take into account, the proposals of the French unions.
The French unions are unanimous in opposing any increase in the pension age and cuts in pension levels.
The plenary of the European Parliament decided today by a very narrow majority not to have a vote on the report on the coordination of social security systems and therefore not to adopt a first reading position before the end of the term.
The right to decent housing should be a legal right, say Irish trade unions. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is backing a broad national campaign for good quality, affordable housing.
The European Trade Union Confederation is gravely concerned by reports that far-right forces in the US, led by discredited former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, are planning to disrupt the 2019 European elections and work to destroy European integration.
Said ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini: “We deplore any attempt to undermine European democracy, in particular coming from outsiders who have no interest in the welfare of European countries and their peoples.
The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation Luca Visentini, the General Secretaries of the Italian trade unions CGIL, CISL and UIL – Susanna Camusso, Annamaria Furlan and Carmelo Barbagallo – met with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio in Rome today.
To the EPSCO Council Ministers
Make the European Pillar of Social Rights real – Adopt a meaningful general approach for the Work-Life Balance and Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Directives
Dear Minister,
I am writing to you in view of the discussions taking place in EPSCO on 21st June, on the Commission’s proposals for two Directives aimed at achieving the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, recently proclaimed by all Member States.
ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini has written to all Employment Ministers urging them not to dilute the Commission proposals and “adopt a meaningful general approach” on the 2 Directives up for discussion at the EPSCO Council on Thursday.
The letter states that the Directives on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions and Work Life Balance are both “crucial to working people across Europe and their trade unions.”
Declaration of the International Trade Union Conference
“The Voice of Integration of the Western Balkans”,
Sofia, 9 May 2018
As the EU-Western Balkans Summit is about to take place in Sofia on 17 May 2018, under the auspices of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, at which the EU is expected to reaffirm its commitment to the integration of its partners in the Western Balkan countries and once again emphasise the region's place within the European family:
ETUC Position on a Second stage consultation of the social partners on possible action addressing the challenges of access to social protection for people in all forms of employment (in the framework of the European Social Pillar Rights)
Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 13-14 December 2017
Introduction
Following EU leaders agreeing to “put people first, to further develop the social dimension of the Union … to promote convergence and … implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights” at their Summit last night, the European Trade Union Confederation proposes:
In response to a long-standing demand from trade unions, the Czech government has agreed to wage rises of up to 23% in the social service sector, from July 2017, with the highest increases going to the lowest paid.
The ETUC Roadmap for the Future of Europe
Adopted at the Executive Committee of 13 and 14 June 2017
Background
On 1 March 2017, the President of the European Commission launched a reflection on the Future of Europe, involving the EU 27 Member States after Brexit, by publishing a White Paper to be followed by a series of Reflection Papers.
The ETUC welcomes the proposed Pillar of Social Rights, an ambitious initiative launched today by the European Commission containing many good principles.
At the same time, the ETUC has some doubts about where and how it will be implemented, and about some discredited policies such as flexicurity that will make workers suspicious of this much-needed initiative.
Speech given by Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation
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Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues and friends, Brendan,
It’s an honour for me to be invited to deliver this lecture, commemorating Sir Pat Lowry: well-known as a former Chair of ACAS.
Discussion points by Tom Jenkins, Chief adviser at the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
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The ETUC has three sine qua non conditions on TTIP: No ISDS; a guaranteed protection of public services; and an enforceable labour chapter. Today’s meeting is dealing with that issue.
Growth and Employment
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European Women's Lobby (EWL) call on Members of the European Parliament to support for the revision of the Maternity Leave Directive.
Read the joint letter
