Brussels, 04/03/2011
European trade unions will be meeting in Brussels on 8th and 9th March on the eve of the European Council meeting on 11th March, at which the “Competitive Pact” is due to be adopted for approval by the European Council on 24th and 25th March. The ETUC has already made its position clear on the pact, which was proposed by Chancellor Merkel and is supported by France. The European trade union movement has already expressed its opposition to a text synonymous with social decline as it threatens social standards and puts pressure on employers to reduce salaries. Governing Europe should not mean social decline: it should be about implementing practical policies in favour of employment and social justice.
The ETUC Executive Committee will discuss the measures European trade unions are taking to oppose the threats to social Europe.
European economic governance, the working time directive, the European industry policy and the latest international news will also be debated by the Executive Committee.
Also on the agenda will be plans for two major events: the Euro-demonstration in Budapest on 9th April and the ETUC Congress which will be taking place in Athens from 16th to 19th May 2011.