A worker-centred State of the Union
EU flags flying outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg

A worker-centred State of the Union

Putting Europe on solid ground: A worker-centred State of the Union Letter from the European Trade Union Confederation to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Dear President von der Leyen, As you prepare your 2025 State of the Union address, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), representing 45 million working people across Europe, urges you to put workers - their jobs, pay, and future - at the heart of your vision for Europe.
Document Published on 03.09.2025
Open Letter: Delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights – ETUC call ahead of the Porto Social Forum 2025
Logo of the Porto Social Summit 2025

Open Letter: Delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights – ETUC call ahead of the Porto Social Forum 2025

Dear Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, Ahead of the upcoming Porto Social Forum, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is calling on the Portuguese Government to use the Forum to adopt a Declaration in support of a decisive step forward for the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and its implementation.
Document Published on 28.08.2025
Solidarity Message to EFJ on the occasion of Memorial Event Honouring Journalists Killed in Gaza
Action in Brussels in support of journalists in Gaza

Solidarity Message to EFJ on the occasion of Memorial Event Honouring Journalists Killed in Gaza

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) stands in solidarity with the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the entire media community in recognising the journalists who have been killed in Gaza. These journalists were killed while doing their job, documenting the reality, bearing witness, and ensuring the world hears the voices of those affected. Their courage and commitment to truth came at the highest cost.
Document Published on 26.08.2025
European Trade Unions call for more decisive and principled action by the European Union on Gaza
Logos of the 10 trade union organisations that sent the letter

European Trade Unions call for more decisive and principled action by the European Union on Gaza

The following letter was sent by European trade union leaders to Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Dear High Representative Ms Kallas, As European trade unionists committed to justice, human rights, and international law, we write to you with deep concern regarding the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the ongoing actions of the Israeli Government.
Document Published on 18.08.2025
ETUC and UNI Global Union Letter to Commission Vice-President and High Representative Kallas and Commissioner Lahbib following the interception of the humanitarian ship Handala

ETUC and UNI Global Union Letter to Commission Vice-President and High Representative Kallas and Commissioner Lahbib following the interception of the humanitarian ship Handala

The following letter was sent by ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch and General Secretary of UNI Global Union Christy Hoffman to Commission Vice-President and High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib 
Document Published on 05.08.2025
  • Solidarity letter to CITUB

    Solidarity letter to CITUB

    ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch has written the following letter to CITUB (Bulgaria): Dear Plamen Dimitrov,Dear CITUB colleagues, We are deeply concerned by the news of unacceptable actions taken by Bulgarian authorities during the peaceful protest organised by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) on 14 July 2025.
    Document Published on 22.07.2025
  • Urgent EU action needed following seizure of trade union assets by Ukrainian government

    Urgent EU action needed following seizure of trade union assets by Ukrainian government

    The following letter was sent to Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and to Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Enlargement.   Dear Vice-President Minzatu and Commissioner Kos,  We are writing to ask the Commission support to defend trade union rights in Ukraine – following the unjustified seizure of trade union offices of  FPU, the biggest trade union confederation in Ukraine and ETUC affiliate.
    Document Published on 11.06.2025
  • ETUC Strategic Assessment of the Clean Industrial Deal

    ETUC Strategic Assessment of the Clean Industrial Deal

    ETUC Strategic Assessment of the Clean Industrial Deal  Adopted at the Extraordinary Executive Committee meeting of 15 April 2025  
    Document Published on 18.04.2025
  • ETUC letter to US Mission Chargé d'Affaires Scharpf

    ETUC letter to US Mission Chargé d'Affaires Scharpf

    Urgent message from the ETUC regarding the US Government letter “Certification regarding compliance with applicable federal anti-discrimination law” Dear Mr Norman Thatcher Scharpf, I am contacting you to ask for a meeting as a matter of urgency, to discuss the recent letter issued by the US to companies in Europe who have contracts with the US government. The letter requires companies to "not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws”.
    Document Published on 01.04.2025
  • ETUC letter to Kallas on detention of Istanbul Mayor

    ETUC letter to Kallas on detention of Istanbul Mayor

    ETUC letter following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu  Sent by e-mail to Ms Kaja Kallas High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. Dear High Representative Kallas,  We would like to express our deepest concern about the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu - along with approximately 106 other municipal officials, as well as more than 1.000 people protesting.
    Document Published on 01.04.2025
  • ETUC calls for adequate financing and responsible simplification in the Clean Industrial Deal

    ETUC calls for adequate financing and responsible simplification in the Clean Industrial Deal

    Dear Environment Council Ministers, In advance of your meeting on 27 March to discuss the environmental dimension of the Clean Industrial Deal (CID), the European Trade Union Confederation urges you to seriously address two key issues: profound financial shortcomings and misguided deregulation. The CID marks a valuable first step, notably through its inclusion of social conditionalities linked to collective bargaining and demand-side measures, though these commitments need to be transformed into concrete commitments.
    Document Published on 26.03.2025
  • ETUC letter in view of the European Council meeting on 6 March
    Reception hall at the European Council ahead of 6 March meeting

    ETUC letter in view of the European Council meeting on 6 March

    Esther Lynch has written to António Costa, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, ahead of the 6 March to reiterate the ETUC's call for the EU and governments to increase their efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace to be delivered together with Ukraine, and underscore the need for support for international law based on multilateralism and a stronger role for the E
    Document Published on 05.03.2025
  • Letter to ver.di Munich in response to attack on rally

    Letter to ver.di Munich in response to attack on rally

    ETUC General Secretary has extended the condolences and solidarity of the ETUC to ver.di Munich, following an attack on a rally they held earlier today.
    Document Published on 13.02.2025
  • ETUC Position on EU Digital Trade Agreements with 3rd countries

    ETUC Position on EU Digital Trade Agreements with 3rd countries

    Adopted at the Executive Committee meeting of 10-11 December 2024 According to the European Commission, digital trade covers trade in goods and services enabled by the internet and other information and communication technologies. This includes goods or services ordered online that are later delivered at home or through the internet such as apps on smartphones and computers; use of technologies such as those used for tracking in real time; transfer of data across borders (e.g. data stored in the cloud when working online).
    Document Published on 18.12.2024
  • Letter from the European Trade Union Confederation following the announcement of the proposed college of Commissioners

    Letter from the European Trade Union Confederation following the announcement of the proposed college of Commissioners

    Dear Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,I am contacting you following the announcement of the list of Commissioners designate and the publication of their proposed portfolios and mission letters. The European Trade Union Confederation is very concerned that – for the first time since the Seventies – there is not a member of the college of Commissioners whose title refers specifically to Labour and Social Affairs (or to “Jobs and Social Rights”).
    Document Published on 27.09.2024
  • Traineeship Package

    Traineeship Package

    Traineeship Package Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 25-26 June 2024.
    Document Published on 04.07.2024
  • Open letter to European Council on the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029
    European Council

    Open letter to European Council on the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029

    Dear President Michel, I am contacting you regarding the ongoing discussions on the EU Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 and in view of the European Council meeting on 27/28 June. The ETUC is concerned that – according to the information received – the draft of the Strategic Agenda still does not include the necessary focus on the improvement of the situation for working people, their families and communities.
    Document Published on 22.06.2024
  • Urgent need to support just transition ambition in Environment Council Conclusions
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    Urgent need to support just transition ambition in Environment Council Conclusions

    Dear Environment and Labour Ministers,In conjunction with the European Trade Union Confederation, we, the undersigned, serving as Presidents and General Secretaries of Trade Unions from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), are compelled to underscore the importance of safeguarding just transition initiatives deliberated within the Environment Council Conclusions.
    Document Published on 17.05.2024
  • Democracy at Work matters. For a European Works Council Directive that delivers for workers!

    Democracy at Work matters. For a European Works Council Directive that delivers for workers!

    With only one in five European Works Councils (EWC) being effectively informed and consulted before a transnational decision is made in their company, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) keeps on advocating for a change to the European Works Council Directive (EWCD).
    Document Published on 28.03.2024
  • Joint ETUC/CCSCS letter to MERCOSUR negotiators
    Cover

    Joint ETUC/CCSCS letter to MERCOSUR negotiators

      Brussels, 11 March 2024  Letter sent to  Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission     Dear Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis
    Document Published on 11.03.2024