Industrial relations

Europe’s industrial relations should be based on social dialogue, workplace and industrial democracy, consultation and collective bargaining. The ETUC is calling for EU support to strengthen capacities for social dialogue at all levels. We urge the European Commission to put forward a new legal framework for workers’ involvement, setting high standards for information and consultation and offering unions real influence in corporate decision-making.

Strong liaison between different levels of workers’ representation is required. Employers and governments must fully respect and acknowledge the role of trade unions as the bodies representing European workers, together with the right to freedom of association, collective bargaining and withdrawal of labour.

16.09.2024 Press release

EU must stop industry crisis on its doorstep

The threat to tens of thousands of European industrial workers’ livelihoods, including more than 3000 jobs at Audi and its subcontractors on the doorstep of the European institutions, shows the urgent need for the EU to deliver an industrial deal that will protect and create quality jobs. Trade unions will march in Brussels today to demand political action in response to a threat from carmaker Audi to cut jobs at its plant in Brussels which will affect thousands of workers.
12.01.2023 Press release

Anti-strike law puts UK outside mainstream

Responding to UK Government claims that new anti-strike laws would bring the UK into line with Europe, European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Esther Lynch said: “The UK already has among the most draconian restrictions on the right to strike in Europe, and the UK government’s plans would push it even further away from normal, democratic practice across Europe. 
09.10.2019 Press release

EU trade unions and employers want ambitious EU industrial strategy

European employers and trade unions are jointly calling on the new European Commission and Parliament for a more proactive and ambitious EU industrial strategy. The European Trade Union Confederation, BusinessEurope, SMEunited and CEEP want to position European industry as a global leader that will responsibly deliver prosperity by creating value for the people and the planet.
28.09.2018 Press release

ETUC solidarity with Ryanair workers on strike today

"The strength of feeling among Ryanair workers is clear. Ryanair must commit to serious negotiations with the workers’ trade unions and stop its ongoing attacks on their right to unionise," said Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation.
10.09.2018 Press release

#SOTEU 2018: Strong proposals are needed to restore social justice for working people, ETUC tells Juncker

Commission President Juncker's State of the Union speech is due to take place on Wednesday 12 September 2018, and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) urges him to deliver strong proposals on the future of Europe, to restore social justice, ahead of the EU elections. ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini calls for a wide European alliance between parties, politicians, social partners and civil society organisations, to support democratic values and tackle populism, nationalism and racism.
05.09.2018 Event

Seminar in Candidate Countries - Promoting and Reinforcing Social Dialogue

*Reminder - Today is the official deadline to register  Brussels, 21st September 2018 To ETUC Member organisations in candidate countries For information: Trade Union members of the Social Dialogue Committee For information: to all ETUC Member Organisation Dear Sir or Madam, Dear Colleagues, The European social partners, ETUC, BusinessEurope, CEEP and UEAPME would like to invite you to participate in their:
11.08.2018 Press release

ETUC supports Ryanair workers

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) supports the striking workers in Ryanair and their trade union organisations. “Workers throughout the EU are sick and tired of employers who don't play fair and who try to undermine hard fought for rights by picking and choosing between national employment legislation” said Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the ETUC.  
22.02.2018 Press release

ETUC calls on Commission to withdraw recommendation to restrict the right to strike

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) calls on the European Commission to withdraw its recommendation to restrict the right to strike of air traffic control staff. “The right to strike is a fundamental right” said Esther Lynch, ETUC Confederal Secretary, “and the European Commission has no right to undermine it. “The European Commission is acting contrary to the EU Treaty, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and the European Pillar Social Rights.
31.01.2018 Page

Italian social partners unite on the way forward

Trade unions and employers in Italy have agreed on a new industrial relations framework, which reinforces the vital role of the social partners in the country’s social and economic development.
11.01.2018 Page

"Win-win" for London bus drivers

Bus drivers in London have secured a fair pay deal that will safeguard drivers’ pay levels and experience if they switch to a different operator in the British capital, with a starting minimum wage of £23,000 (€26,000). The new ‘Licence for London’ scheme, covering the city’s 25,000 bus drivers, has been agreed between Unite the Union, Transport for London (TfL) and all the bus operators. London Mayor Sadiq Khan greeted the deal as “a win-win” for workers, passengers, TfL and bus operators.
15.12.2017 Press release

Ryanair must respect workers' rights & honour its trade union promise

The European Trade Union Confederation – representing 89 trade unions in 39 countries and representing some 45 million workers from all sectors and industries -  stands with Ryanair workers, and calls on Ryanair to honour its promise to recognise its workers’ trade unions.
15.12.2017 Press release

Ryanair must respect workers' rights & honour its trade union promise

The European Trade Union Confederation – representing 89 trade unions in 39 countries and representing some 45 million workers from all sectors and industries -  stands with Ryanair workers, and calls on Ryanair to honour its promise to recognise its workers’ trade unions.
27.10.2017 Press release

Renewed EU industrial policy: ETUC position

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to put industry back on the agenda. Its renewed Industrial Policy Strategy is a first concrete answer to the European social partners’ 2016 joint declaration calling for an updated industrial policy.  
18.09.2017 Press release

New EU Industrial Policy?

Commenting on the European Commission’s renewed Industrial Policy Strategy, published today, Peter Scherrer, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said: “The ETUC has long called for a new EU industrial strategy, and welcomes the fact that the European Commission has now published ‘A renewed Industrial Policy strategy’.
08.11.2016 Press release

Yes to fair trade, no to dumping!

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), together with sectoral trade union industriAll Europe, urge Trade Ministers meeting on 11 November to adopt robust anti-dumping measures to protect European jobs and industry from unfair, subsidised competition. The ETUC warn trade ministers of the urgency to effectively tackle unfair trade practices from countries like China, to save jobs in Europe. “Unfair competition is destroying EU manufacturing jobs” said ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini. “Europe must have the proper tools to defend its industry.”
20.10.2016 Speech

Speech by Ms. Veronica Nilsson, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Luxembourg's trade unionism, Luxembourg, 19 October 2016

Your Royal Highness, President of the Chamber of Deputies, Honourable Prime Minister, Mayor, friends and delegates, It is a great pleasure to be here today at this celebration of the centenary of Luxembourg trade unionism.
17.02.2016 Publication

Restructuring in Europe - Videos

Videos of the ETUC Project "Restructuring in Europe" dedicated to - Facts & Figures, Forms & Reasons 
21.12.2015 Press release

Landmark Agreement on information and consultation rights in the workplace

ETUC welcomes the agreement reached today between trade unions and employers in central government administrations. The agreement sets out common minimum standards for the rights of workers and their trade union representatives to be informed and consulted. Workers will be better placed to deal with their employers when these seek changes in the work place. It gives workers a say when the employer proposes restructuring, or changes in working time. It also allows workers to propose health and safety or work/life balance improvements.
15.12.2015 Document

ETUC position on first-stage consultation of the EU social partners on a 'New start' for work-life balance

Key Issues Good work-life balance has a positive impact on the well-being of workers. It can also contribute to achieving major EU policy goals: stimulating employment (especially among women and older workers) and growth; promoting children and youth development; and eventually achieving gender equality.
04.09.2015 Document

The role of the ETUC for the next mandate 2015-2019

Document on the role of the ETUC for the next mandate 2015-2019 Adopted at the ETUC 13th Congress on 2 October 2015   Foreword This paper is meant to set priorities and proposals for action, in order to renew and strengthen the role of the ETUC. It will be discussed in the last panel of the Congress on ‘the ETUC of the future’. At the end of the panel, the document will be submitted to the Congress for endorsement.
12.03.2015 Document

ETUC declaration: Greece after the election - an opportunity for Europe

Adopted by the ETUC Executive Committee at its meeting on 10-11 March 2015 The political change in Greece is an opportunity, not only for that crisis-ridden country but also for a fundamental reassessment and revision of EU economic and social policies focusing on failed austerity and structural reforms of the labour market.
04.03.2015 Press release

Social Dialogue in need of a new start, ETUC ready and willing

European trade unions are ready and willing to give social dialogue a new start, and will participate actively in the High Level Conference on Social Dialogue on March 5*. “Social dialogue is in need of a new start” said Bernadette Ségol, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “There needs to be more concrete results and better implementation at European level. At the same time, national social dialogue needs to be repaired from the damage caused by ‘structural reforms’ and other EU and national policies adopted since the crisis.”
01.01.2014 Press release

Providing welfare through Social Dialogue: A renewed role for Social Partners?

Project "Providing welfare through Social Dialogue: A renewed role for Social Partners?" The aim of this 12 month project is to analyse this new reality (of supplementary welfare provision based on collective bargaining and/or unilateral action by the employer called Voluntary Occupational Welfare – VOW or so-called “contract welfare”) by mapping and assessing the increased role of “contract welfare” in eight EU Member States: Austria , Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
20.09.2013 Speech

High Level International Conference - Bridge to Welfare - the Role of Social Dialogue for Sustainable Economic and Social Development

Riga, 20/09/2013 [Check against delivery] Dear Prime Minister, speakers, colleagues, friends, distinguished guests,
01.02.2013 Speech

Meeting of the Employment Committee with Social Partners on wage developments

Brussels, 01/02/2013 Check against delivery Dear chair, ladies and gentlemen and friends. I would like to thank the chair for giving me the floor and for organising this meeting. Despite much reticence among ETUC members regarding the desirability of a European level tripartite discussion on wage developments, the ETUC agreed that we should participate in this exploratory meeting.