Brussels, 24/11/2009 For the most part they are members of the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) and members of its teachers’ union Eğitim-Sen. Many of them hold important posts within their trade union, in particular for women’s affairs.

Brussels, 20/11/2009 John Monks said that the ETUC is looking forward to working with them in their important new jobs and expected them to help forge a new, more influential Europe. “Both are excellent candidates for the highest offices with a record of working well with trade unions. We count on them to take the EU forward.”

Brussels, 17/11/2009 The ETUC is concerned about political announcements predicting that the Copenhagen Conference in December will not result in a legally binding treaty on climate change. Putting off the signature of a treaty under discussion for months would be a bad political signal for the planet and would seriously burden future generations.

Brussels, 16/11/2009 The declaration, titled “Fight discrimination and guarantee equality for all”, was issued by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and Social Platform. It urged decision makers to take action on the following six points: 1) Ensure the adoption by the European Council of the proposed Article 13 Directive protecting against discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, religion or belief, and sexual orientation in all areas of life

Brussels, 10/11/2009 Thank you, Chairman for this invitation and opportunity to comment on the causes of this crisis and the challenges for the EU. The ETUC’s position can be summarised as follows:

Brussels, 10/11/2009 "They have a moral and public responsibility for the damage they have caused and it is now high time that they contribute to the reparations. Millions of workers are losing their jobs. Millions of young people cannot find a job or are hopping from one unstable job to another precarious one. It is a question of moral justice to help the innocent victims instead of paying bonuses to those who are responsible for the mess”.

Brussels, 09/11/2009 According to the ETUC, the economic policy mix is erring on two major points: - Policy is massively supporting the bankers but bank lending to the real economy is not starting again. - In the face of a weak and fragile recovery, fiscal policy should not go for premature ‘exit strategies’ but maintain and improve demand policy measures by investing in social and green infrastructure.

Brussels, 09/11/2009 At the recent Tripartite Social Summit, I quoted the ancient Roman playwright, Platus. I make no apology for repeating his apt remark to our present circumstances. Platus said “I am a rich man as long as I do not repay my creditors”. Or as many bankers might express it, “we are rich men as long as we get almost free money and guarantees from Governments, and give priority to repairing our own balance sheets.”

Brussels, 05/11/2009 This advance is an encouragement in our continuing campaign to ensure a proper interpretation of the Treaty’s internal market provisions and against the unbalanced rulings of the European Court of Justice in the Laval, Viking, Rüffert and Luxemburg cases.

Brussels, 04/11/2009 Joël Decaillon, ETUC Confederal Secretary, talks us through the issues for the forthcoming Copenhagen Summit on climate change and the {{demands of the European trade union movement. }} {{What are the issues for the forthcoming Copenhagen Summit on climate change? }}

Brussels, 02/11/2009 The ETUC considers that, instead of organising and setting dates for a premature fiscal exit strategy, policy makers should discuss how to maintain and even strengthen the fiscal stimulus strategy. The latter should be done by rolling out the public investment infrastructure that is necessary for the ‘greening’ of the European economy. European economic policy must break with the ‘Brussels Frankfort’ consensus.

Brussels, 29/10/2009 I read the other day an apt quotation by the ancient Roman playwright, Platus, who remarked “I am a rich man as long as I do not repay my creditors”. Or as many bankers might express it – “we are rich men as long as we get almost free money and guarantees from Governments.”

Brussels, 29/10/2009