• Stop Death, Disease and Illness at work

    Stop Death, Disease and Illness at work

    The EU must take action to stop the 100,000 deaths a year caused by occupational cancers.   The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) meeting in Brussels today condemned the European Commission for blocking health and safety improvements* and for putting forward an extremely weak health and safety strategy (‘Framework Strategy 2014-2020’).   The ETUC called today for
    Press release Published on 01.12.2014
  • Europe – The political cost of the crisis

    Europe – The political cost of the crisis

    Editorial published in the Neues Deutschland by ETUC General Secretary : http://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/958450.endlich-mehr-fairness-in-europa.html on 15 January 2015.   Europe  – The political cost of the crisis   Europe’s economy has been a mess since the crisis caused by greedy and reckless financial corporates ‘empowered’ by deregulation.
    Speech Published on 01.12.2014
  • Investment: what should the EU spend on?

    Investment: what should the EU spend on?

    Investment in energy infrastructure, transport, smart phone technology and nanotechnology will have the biggest impact on economic growth and jobs according to a new study for the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The study by Syndex aims to support the ETUC’s work on an ambitious investment plan for Europe to boost sustainable growth and decent jobs, and feed into the European Parliament and Council’s discussions on the limited proposals tabled by Commission President Juncker.
    Press release Published on 01.12.2014
  • European Semester: ETUC comment

    European Semester: ETUC comment

    Commenting on the European Semester, Bernadette Ségol, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation said   “I hear a lot of concern about jobs and growth, but I see only the same old failed solutions.” “I do not accept that structural reforms and fiscal responsibility are paying off. Much of what has been done in recent years has increased unemployment, increased precarious work, and killed demand.”   
    Press release Published on 28.11.2014
  • Investment: Commission relying on a financial miracle

    Investment: Commission relying on a financial miracle

    Commenting on Juncker’s Jobs and Investment Plan, Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said   “I salute any attempt to increase investment which would bring jobs, but I do not believe Mr Juncker can raise €315bn from €21bn. “The European Commission seems to be relying on a financial miracle like the loaves and fishes.” “Raising €315bn would be quite a feat, but would fill less than 40% of the annual investment shortfall since the crisis.”
    Press release Published on 26.11.2014
  • Workers' voice - The ETUC newsletter - November 2014

    Workers' voice - The ETUC newsletter - November 2014

    Dear Readers, We have just published the November 2014 edition of the ETUC Newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!
    Press release Published on 23.11.2014
  • ECJ opinion threatens agreed limits on temporary agency work

    ECJ opinion threatens agreed limits on temporary agency work

    The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is alarmed that an opinion from the European Court of Justice on 20 November threatens to undermine national rules, often agreed with trade unions, restricting use of temporary agency workers. Advocate General Maciej Szpunar’s opinion on the first case concerning the Temporary Agency Work (TAW) Directive to come before the ECJ, suggests that Member States must lift restrictions and prohibitions on temporary agency work unless they are proved to be ‘in the general interest’.
    Press release Published on 21.11.2014
  • Juncker's investment plan: New Start or False Start? The big questions

    Juncker's investment plan: New Start or False Start? The big questions

    Is it enough to make a real difference?  To pull Europe’s economy out of stagnation and to steer the Euro Area away from deflation, a substantial investment effort is necessary. The ETUC’s investment plan calls for 250 billion euro or 2% of European GDP for ten years.  
    Press release Published on 21.11.2014
  • Speech given by Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, at the UIL Congress
    Source : ETUC

    Speech given by Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, at the UIL Congress

    Speech given by Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, at the UIL Congress. Available only in Italian. [Check against delivery]   Presidente, Caro Luigi, Care compagne e cari compagni, Care amiche e cari amici, Vi porto il saluto fraterno e caloroso della Confederazione Europea dei Sindacati. Sono felice di condiVIdere con voi questo momento importante della vita della UIL.  Come voi, siamo convinti che l’economia e la politica devono essere al servizio dei lavoratori e dei cittadini.
    Speech Published on 19.11.2014
  • European Trade Union calls for a fundamental rethink of Canadian and US trade deals

    European Trade Union calls for a fundamental rethink of Canadian and US trade deals

    In advance of a meeting of European trade ministers the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has called for a fundamental rethink of major trade negotiations with the United States and Canada. On 21 November, the Council is to discuss an agreement with Canada (the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA) about which the Commission has announced that the negotiations are concluded, and ongoing negotiations with the US (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP). The ETUC has made clear that it opposed the CETA because:
    Press release Published on 17.11.2014
  • G20 leaders must act on jobs and investment

    G20 leaders must act on jobs and investment

    The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), in a delegation to the G20 meeting in Brisbane, will call for a plan for jobs and growth and policies to stimulate demand, reduce inequalities and generate investment. Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the ITUC, said “Governments are prioritising policies which support the interests of big business and not tackling the inequality of wages and rising unemployment.”
    Press release Published on 10.11.2014
  • ETUC supports the call for an ambitious Financial Transactions Tax

    ETUC supports the call for an ambitious Financial Transactions Tax

    The European trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has signed and fully supports the call for an ambitious Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) for national and international solidarity. The ETUC believes such a tax would enable the EU to make the investments that are so desperately needed to create jobs and enable a just transition to a low carbon economy.
    Press release Published on 06.11.2014
  • Forecast unemployment fall: unacceptably small and slow

    Forecast unemployment fall: unacceptably small and slow

    Commenting on the EU’s autumn economic forecast for weak economic growth and ‘subdued’ labour market recovery, ETUC General Secretary Bernadette Ségol, said “The forecast fall in unemployment over the next two years is unacceptably small and slow. In 2016 unemployment is forecast to be at 9.5% in the EU and 10.8% in the Eurozone. The €300 billion investment plan proposed by Commission President Juncker will not be enough to get Europe back to work. The new Commission will have to propose more ambitious action.”
    Press release Published on 04.11.2014