Bonn COP 23 to Katowice COP 24: ETUC priorities for international climate negotiations in 2018
Adopted at the Executive Committee of 13 and 14 December 2017
Context
The European Commission’s ‘Platform for Coal Regions in Transition’ is a good start to try to ensure that climate action leaves no worker behind says the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes a Vatican Conference – today and yesterday - on labour and the workers’ movement (trade unions) being at the core of development, and on work having to be good for everyone.
An ETUC delegation, led by General Secretary Luca Visentini, attended the “Labor Unions International meeting: from Populorum progressio to Laudato si” organised by the Holy See in the Vatican City.
Despite the irresponsible attitude of the US government, the UN COP 23 climate conference, which is ending today in Bonn, has confirmed that climate change is a major priority for countries, cities – which are playing a leading role in implementing climate action – civil society, business organisations and trade unions, says the ETUC.
ETUC Resolution on the follow-up of the Paris agreement on climate change - ETUC views on COP 23
Adopted at the Executive Meeting of 25-26 October 2017
Don’t lose Paris sense of urgency!
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to put industry back on the agenda. Its renewed Industrial Policy Strategy is a first concrete answer to the European social partners’ 2016 joint declaration calling for an updated industrial policy.
Tomorrow, Thursday 21 September, the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will be provisionally applied: over 90 percent of the deal’s provisions will begin taking effect tomorrow, but matters such as investment protection and the new investment court system, requiring unanimous approval by EU member states, will have to wait.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has been pressing with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) for improvements throughout the long negotiations.
ILC – ILO – Geneva, 9 June 2017
Speech of Luca Visentini – General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Thank you chair.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Report of the ILO Director General this year addresses climate change, while another report analyses the labour migration.
They could seem two completely different topics, but they are not.
Commenting on the withdrawal of the USA from the Paris Climate agreement, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said
“There are no jobs on a dead planet.”
Over 400 trade union leaders from all over Europe at the ETUC Mid-term Conference in Rome today agreed that "this is the moment for trade unions to be more active than ever in efforts to manage globalisation, digitalisation and climate action to ensure that working people are not left on the scrap heap".
European Social Partners Statement
on tapping the potential from greening the economy for jobs creation
We, the European Social Partners
ACKNOWLEDGE that we are at a critical juncture for the European Union concerning growth and quality job creation, as the economic recovery continues, with differences across Europe, yet we continue to face significant economic, environmental and social challenges;
Common appeal to European leaders signed by 237 European Civil Society Organisations and Trade Unions
The Europe we want: just, sustainable, democratic and inclusive
On 22 November the European Commission published it proposals for applying the UN Sustainable Development Goals, not only in its external development and cooperation policies, but also within Europe.
The ETUC supports the Sustainable Development Goals, welcomes the role played by the European Union in developing and adopting them, and welcomes the fact that they will apply to Europe as well as to other countries.
Brussels, 07 November 2016
Climate change: ETUC’s position with a view to COP 22
Position adopted at the Executive Committee on the 26-27 October 2016
Last week, the ETUC organised a final conference within the context of its project entitled “Industrial Regions and Climate Change policies: Trade Union’s perspectives”. The final conference concluded an 18-month project funded by the European Commission those focus is on organising the transition to a low-carbon economy in regions which still highly rely on carbon-intensive activities.
Common statement signed by 177 European and national Civil Society Organisations and Trade Unions, ahead of the EU27 Summit in Bratislava on 16 September 2016.
The ETUC is organising a final conference within the context of its project entitled “Industrial Regions and Climate Change policies: Trade Union’s perspectives”. The final conference will conclude an 18-month project funded by the European Commission those focus is on organising the transition to a low-carbon economy in regions which still highly rely on carbon-intensive activities.
The final conference will take place over two days, 5 and 6 October 2016 in Brussels at the ITUH building (Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 5, 1210 Brussels).
The ETUC togheter with OSHA and ECHA published a leaflet dedicated to workers’ reps in companies manufacturing, importing or using chemicals.
The REACH Regulation requires companies manufacturing or importing chemical substances into the EU, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein in quantities of one tonne or more per year to register them with ECHA. If information on the hazardous properties of the chemical is unavailable, it should be generated and safety data sheets should be updated if needed.
Adopted at the meeting of the Executive Committee on 2-3 December 2014
Investment for sustainable growth and decent jobs is a long-standing ETUC demand.
The ETUC therefore welcomes the EU focus on investment and concrete initiatives contributing to this end and, in particular, the recent initiative towards an EU-level investment plan.
Commenting on the European Commission’s Green Growth Package, Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation said
“The European Commission’s Green Growth Package is forward-thinking and progressive. It rightly puts together the need to create jobs with the need for a more environmentally sustainable economy.”
Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 11-12 June 2014
Summary
· The proposed SUP generates serious concerns with regard to fiscal evasion, workers’ rights and sustainable corporate governance in general. If adopted, this Directive would be an open invitation to companies of all sizes to minimise their responsibilities under national law.
Adopted at the meeting of the ETUC Executive Committee on 12 June 2014
The result of the elections demonstrates the growing distance between workers and citizens with the EU institutions and their leaders. It is a clear signal that austerity policies imposed by national governments during the last five years failed.