The aim of this handbook is to provide a comprehensive resource for trade unionists with regards to two aspects: 1.Their role in the management and use of European structural and investment funds (ESI Funds) 2.The use of ESI funds to support trade union activity The funds are explained in general terms, with particular focus on the ESF as it is particularly relevant to the activity of trade unions regarding education and training. The various technical aspects are outlined and linked to the overarching EU policy which is being promoted by the use of EU funds.
This report is composed of four parts: the first part deals with the labour market situation of young people with a special focus on NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training). The second part presents the main features of the Youth Guarantee project as it has been developed at the European level. The third part presents the results of the survey conducted among ETUC affiliates in order to understand whether and how trade unions were involved in the development of the YG schemes at the national level.
The European sovereign debt crisis is having profound consequences for the labour law and industrial relations systems of the debt-affected member states and for the role of social policy at EU level. Driven by the need to initiate a process of ‘internal devaluation’ so as to restore the competitiveness of the national economies, public deficit reduction measures have been coupled with in-depth structural labour market reforms in a number of EU Member States, including Greece, Ireland and Portugal.
The new public procurement Directive introduces some positive developments from the trade union perspective – among them a binding social clause. This gives unions a stronger platform for pressing key demands such as respect for collective bargaining agreements, social criteria and greater transparency. We therefore look at the results with some satisfaction. However, much will depend on the way the Directive is transposed into national legislation.
Joint opinion article by Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, and Wendel Trio, Director of the Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe) published on Euractiv.com
According to Eurobarometer, nine out of ten consider climate change a serious or very serious problem. Meanwhile conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East show the fragility of our current energy system. European governments urgently need to find sustainable alternatives.
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Copies of today’s European Voice - the leading EU affairs weekly - delivered to the European Commissioners and Director Generals, European Council, MEPs offices and member state Perm Reps, came with an extra four pages wrapped around the cover featuring last week’s Euro demonstration and the ETUC's 'New Path for Europe' campaign.
See the ETUC ‘wrap’ around the European Voice
