The outcome of the Bratislava Summit falls well short of the expectations of the ETUC, and of the joint statement made by trade unions and civil society organisations ‘A new Europe for people, planet and prosperity for all’ https://www.etuc.org/press/new-europe-people-planet-and-prosperity-all#.V9_HZ_B97cs.   The Bratislava Declaration and Roadmap are as notable for what they do not say, as for the few vague things they do say.

ETUC Priorities for the current phase of the European Commission Consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights, adopted at the ETUC Extraordinary Executive Committee Meeting on 6 September 2016 Working for a Better Deal for All Workers This Position Paper sets out the ETUC’s observations and recommendations on the European Pillar of Social Rights at the halfway point of the consultation process and summarises the ETUC demands under seven priority areas. These are:

Background  Transnational Company Agreements (TCAs) are increasingly part of the collective bargaining landscape. In many sectors ETUFs are stepping up their work to negotiate and conclude TCAs.  

The ITUC and ETUC have strongly condemned the failed coup in Turkey and offered our deepest condolences to the victims. Unconstitutional attempts – especially involving military force – to seize power and overthrow democracy are unacceptable. We call for the investigation and eventual prosecution of those responsible to be conducted in full respect of the rule of law.

The European Union and China have a multidimensional economic relationship—we trade over 1 billion euro per day, we are negotiating an investment agreement, and we look forward to China’s accession to the Government Procurement Agreement of the WTO-World Trade Organisation. It is in the interest of European business and trade unions that the EU strives for a balanced economic relationship with China. However, the question of how to treat China in anti-dumping investigations will feature prominently in our relationship this year.

ETUC statement on the next steps after the UK referendum Statement adopted by the Extraordinary Enlarged Steering Committee, London 11 July 2016

Joint Statement by ETUC Youth Committee, Eurocities, Solidar, European Youth Forum, Age Platform Europe, EASPD, FEANTSA, European Disability Forum and COFACE  

Letter sent by ETUC and ETF to EU Commissioners Violet Bulc and Marianne Thyssen   Dear Commissioner Bulc, Dear Commissioner Thyssen,

Adopted at the Extraordinary Executive Committee, on 13 April 2016 in The Hague   Towards the UK referendum The European Union is facing grave challenges at the moment, and the ETUC would prefer to see the UK involved – together with other Member States – in resolving them, rather than turning towards national isolation.  

ETUC resolution on digitalisation: "towards fair digital work" Adopted by the Executive Committee on 8-9 June 2016 Key points The ETUC demands: a)to shape an inclusive transition towards good and fair digital work based on good working conditions, a safe and secure work environment and a fair employment relationship; b)to avoid digitalisation further splitting society into a few winners and many losers and contributing to an even more unequal distribution of wealth;

ETUC position paper - Orientation for a new EU framework on information, consultation and board-level representation rights  Adopted at the extraordinary ETUC Executive Committee on 13 April 2016 in The Hague and the ETUC Executive Committee on 9 June 2016 in Brussels Background

Brussels, 14 June 2016 update : the French version is available   ETUC Position on Commission’s proposal for  an Investment Court System in TTIP and CETA Adopted at the Meeting of 9 June 2016

Country Specific Recommendations 2016 and role of social partners in the EU Semester (ETUC position) Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee on 8-9 June 2016   From Country Reports to Country Specific Recommendations