Brussels, 21/01/2009 The ETUC has long supported the free movement of labour within the European Union to the extent of opposing transitional restrictions following the accession of the new Member States in 2004 and 2007. Despite the recession, ETUC will stand up for equal access to labour markets and the principle of equal treatment for all workers.

Brussels, 16/01/2009 Following another night of violence that included the bombing of a hospital in Gaza, ETUC calls again for resolute and sustained EU action to obtain an immediate ceasefire followed by a lasting negotiated settlement involving the lifting of the blockade of Gaza and security guarantees, with the deployment of EU personnel as appropriate.

Brussels, 14/01/2009

Brussels, 14/01/2009 Economic activity is falling off a cliff: inflation has crashed through the 2% floor of price stability while unemployment is rising significantly across all European countries. On top of all of this comes the danger of a renewed appreciation of the euro exchange rate, generating yet another blow to economic activity and employment in Europe. Therefore, the only sensible thing for the ECB to do at its meeting on Thursday this week is to continue the policy of interest rates cuts and cut them to the bone.

Brussels, 08/01/2009

Paris, 08/01/2009 Conference podcast To view the symposium's contributions, see its website. John Monks participated at the second session on Globalisation and social justice. Globalisation and social justice Saying ‘I told you so’ is not the best way of winning friends and influencing people.

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.