• 24.08.2016 Press release

    Earthquake in Italy - solidarity & sorrow

    Creative commons
    The European Trade Union Confederation today expressed its solidarity and sorrow at the victims and destruction caused by the earthquake in central Italy. “Our thoughts are with the people who have lost their lives, who have been injured and made homeless” said ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini “their families and loved ones. We salute the workers and volunteers who are helping the towns and villages which have been hit. Solidarity is needed immediately and in the coming weeks and months to rebuild lives and communities.”   
  • 19.08.2016 Press release

    Turkey: ETUC and ITUC deeply worried by the latest developments

    The ITUC and the ETUC are deeply worried by the latest developments in Turkey, including  the new attacks on press freedom and human rights with the ban of the daily ‘Ozgur Gundem’ and the detention of 23 journalist and staff members in Istanbul on 16 August. 
  • 05.08.2016 Press release

    "Freedom at work"

    The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) celebrates the Europride event taking place in Amsterdam on 6 August and will join the parade on a boat organised by the FNV Pink Network and attended by trade unionists from all over the world. Freedom at work is the theme of an international conference organised by the FNV Pink Network in the context of Europride, to celebrate diversity and create platforms for cooperation among unions in Europe and internationally. 
  • 26.07.2016 Press release

    Meeting with President Juncker

    Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation today met Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. Key political issues discussed included Brexit, Turkey and the future of Europe. After the constructive meeting Luca Visentini said:
  • 23.07.2016 Press release

    Munich: ETUC solidarity

    The European Trade Union Confederation today expressed its solidarity with the people of Germany following the two attacks in Bavaria in the last week. ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said "Our thoughts are  with all the victims - the dead and the injured, and their loved ones - and with the workers who are dealing with the victims and security."
  • 20.07.2016 Press release

    ETUC condemns the failed coup and government crack-down in Turkey

    ETUC source
    The European Trade Union Confederation strongly condemns the attempted coup in Turkey on Friday 15 July, and opposes all efforts to overthrow democracy by military force. Nonetheless, it also condemns the drastic purge being carried out by the Turkish government in the aftermath of that failed coup.
  • 20.07.2016 Press release

    Commission must now press ahead with urgent revision of Posting of Workers Directive

    ETUC source
    The European Commission has today made the right decision to reject the yellow card procedure triggered by 11 Member States, and go ahead with the long-awaited revision of the Posting of Workers Directive. The European Trade Union Confederation, together with all affiliated trade unions – including those in the countries which launched the yellow card – strongly support this revision. The ETUC believes these 11 governments were acting against the interests of their own workers in trying to block the principle of equal pay for equal work.
  • 15.07.2016 Press release

    #Nice: ETUC condolences and solidarity

    The ETUC shares the heartbreak of the people of France following last night’s horrific attack in Nice. The European trade union movement offers its condolences and solidarity at this horrible time. The dead and the injured, their families and loved ones, and the workers dealing with the situation and its aftermath are in our thoughts and hearts.  
  • 12.07.2016 Press release

    Don't fine Portugal or Spain!

    Commenting on the ECOFIN decision that triggers sanctions on Portugal and Spain for excessive deficits, ETUC Deputy General Secretary Veronica Nilsson said "I call on the Commission not to impose heavy fines on Portugal and Spain, and not to withhold EU funds." "Apart from the obvious absurdity of fining a country for allegedly spending too much, big fines will hit growth, jobs and public services in two countries that are already struggling. At a time of painfully slow recovery large fines would be irresponsible."
  • 12.07.2016 Press release

    EU Insolvency rules: employees must be properly protected

    The European Commission’s  review of EU insolvency rules provides an important opportunity to improve the law and ensure that workers are properly protected says the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).    Speaking today at the Slovak Presidency Conference on ‘Convergence of insolvency frameworks within the European Union – the way forward’, Esther Lynch, ETUC Confederal Secretary, highlighted the lack of recognition of the vulnerable situation of employees.