Brussels, 12/06/2013 We call upon working people to express their solidarity with ERT employees who were dismissed overnight and protest against the decision outside the ERT premises. Trade unions together with Greek society, which is suffering under the painful and unilateral austerity measures imposed by the Greek government, were caught unaware by the shock announcement. They denounce this unprecedented authoritarian and anti-democratic decision as a “coup d’ état”.

Brussels, 11/06/2013 For 3 years Greece has been subjected to harsh austerity measures leading to among others dramatic cuts in wages, social provisions and pension benefits which are violating its international obligations. It is a clear signal to the Greek authorities and in particular, to the European Commission and the European Central Bank, as well as the International Monetary Fund, that austerity does not work.

Brussels, 11/06/2013 The action is focusing on the compromise proposals for the “Enforcement Directive” which are currently being discussed in the European Parliament. If some of these amendments were to be adopted, the risk of the re-introduction of the country-of-origin principle, initiating a race-to-the-bottom in Europe in terms of working conditions for cross-border workers, will become reality. - More information on the EFBWW day of action: http://www.efbww.org/default.asp?Index=875&Language=EN

Brussels, 11/06/2013

Dublin, 05-06/06/2013 Check against delivery It is a great pleasure to welcome this Mid-Term Conference of the ETUC to Dublin. The conference theme ‘High Noon for Social Europe’ is well chosen. The self-defeating impact of austerity on growth, when interest rates are close to zero, must be evident to all but the most irredentist liberal ideologues.

Brussels, 06/06/2013 Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the ETUC and the leaders of the Belgian trade unions FGTB, CSC, CGCSB will meet Elio Di Rupo, Prime Minister of Belgium, in the morning. The “Tour” will move to Luxembourg in the afternoon where Bernadette Ségol and the President of OGBL and LCGB will meet Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Dublin 05/06/2013 Congress General Secretary David Begg and the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Bernadette Ségol have jointly called for a new European Recovery Programme to focus on job creation and the promotion of the European Social Model, as a priority. The joint call comes ahead of the European Trade Union Confederation’s (ETUC) mid-term conference in Dublin, on June 5-6, under the theme: High Noon for Social Europe.

Brussels, 05/06/2013 This current repression brings to mind a similar reaction against a rally, held in Taksim Square on 1 May, celebrating Labour Day as was the case in many other places around the world. The ETUC supports those who are fighting for the respect of democratic social and trade union rights and against creeping authoritarianism in Turkey. The ETUC Executive Committe calls on the Turkish Government to respect fundamental international rights and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Brussels, 03/06/2013 The consultation period will last for 8 weeks and anyone or any organisation may send in their replies to around twenty questions. However, the consultation does not say that a Health & Safety at Work strategy will be adopted. The Commission is content with ambiguous wording concerning a “new European political framework”.

Brussels, 03/06/2013 This major event, which is open to the press and media representatives, is organised in conjunction with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Europe’s trade union leaders will converge to discuss the need for a strong Social Europe for workers, and call for a radical change of course.

Brussels, 28/05/2013 The AFL-CIO and the ETUC officially kicked off a joint campaign to ensure that shared prosperity and sustainable growth are the driving principles in the upcoming talks on a United States - European Union trade agreement known as TTIP.

Brussels, 23/05/2013 After eight years of discussion, the European leaders have reached an agreement in principle on automatic exchange of tax information. This is one step forward; but concrete measures have not been taken to tackle tax fraud and tax evasion across Europe. Tax competition between companies has not been dealt either.

Rotterdam, 15/05/2013 Check against delivery Dear Friends, Thank you for inviting me to speak to your congress. I am bringing you the warm and fraternal greetings of the European trade union confederation of whom FNV has been a strong, loyal and constructive member since the beginning, that is forty years ago.