Brussels, 06/02/2013 Unfortunately it seems easier for the European Council to adopt austerity plans than to adopt a satisfactory Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2014-2020. Like the European Parliament, ETUC insists that a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) must be based on a compromise but also on a “fair deal”. In times of crisis and high unemployment rates the EU budget should not be reduced.

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.

Madrid, 28/01/2013 I want to thank, very warmly, all the high level representatives of EU institutions, the politicians who honored ETUC with their presence and comments, and to also thank, very warmly, all the high level trade unionists from the various countries and the members in this room for discussing, for listening to the problems that we, as a trade union, are facing.

Brussels, 23/01/2013

Brussels, 29/01/2013 The legislation, which has scarcely ever been invoked since the collapse of Greece's military dictatorship in 1974 and can lead to terms of imprisonment of up to five years, has now been used against striking metro workers in Athens.

Brussels, 28/01/2013 The new logo will be unveiled officially to mark the anniversary of the ETUC , celebrated today at the High Level Conference in Madrid. The Confederation’s mission is made explicitly clear by the highlighting of two words: Trade Union and Europe. The A and the E evoke ancient Greece, a reference to the origin of the word “Europe” and the dynamic image of trade unionism is also maintained. This logo will be easy to use and will immediately identify the nature of our organisation.

Brussels, 25/01/2013

Brussels, 25/01/2013

Brussels, 25/01/2013 The ETUC’s fortieth anniversary will provide an opportunity to discuss issues relating to the role of the trade union movement as an actor in the construction of Europe: What is its future? Which are the priorities for a social Europe? What role should citizens, workers and their trade unions play in an economic and monetary union? What should be changed in economic governance?

Brussels, 25/01/2013 REACH says that companies manufacturing or importing chemicals into the EU in quantities of 100 tonnes or more per year have to register them by 31 May 2013 and that companies using hazardous substances registered under REACH have to take steps to use them safely.

Brussels, 24/01/2013 Negotiators have claimed that their work will be finalised in the coming days and weeks, but unions on both sides of the Atlantic have made it clear that any agreement is only acceptable if based on a high standard, setting a benchmark for future agreements worldwide, and certainly not undermining existing conditions in relation to labour rights, public policy space and the provision of public services.

Brussels, 23/01/2013