At its 12th Congress in Athens, Greece, in May 2011, the ETUC adopted a Manifesto for action over the coming four years.
During the Congress, the central issue for European trade unions has been the effect of the financial and the more general policy of austerity which are exerting downward pressure on pay, public services, social security, pensions, and labour and living standards.
The ETUC is alarmed at the negative consequences of the bailouts of economies in distress. The austerity measures imposed have made the situation worse.
