Brussels, 28/06/2011 The ETUC Executive Committee reaffirms the go ahead that it gave last March for the negotiations, based on an ambitious revision of the Directive, encompassing all the sensitive issues. The ETUC insists on the need to respect the objectives of workers’ health and safety and seeks a balanced approach.

Brussels, 28/06/2011

Brussels, 23/06/2011 The ETUC insists that the Parliament and the Council focus on the following issues in the coming two weeks: - Clauses to safeguard wages and collective bargaining must be maintained and strengthened. The regulation on macroeconomic imbalances should contain a clear reference to article 153 (5) of the Treaty.

Brussels, 22/06/2011

Brussels, 23/05/2011

Bilbao, 11/06/2011 Compañeras, compañeros, Os traigo el saludo fraterno y la enhorabuena de la Confederación Europea de Sindicatos y de sus sesenta millones miembros. Deseamos a ELA y a todos vosotros un muy feliz aniversario. Tenéis cien años; Es magnífico! Seguís mostrando la misma juventud que el primer día en vuestra determinación de defender y promover los derechos de los trabajadores y la democracia. Actualmente, Europa ha impuesto a muchos de sus ciudadanos una dieta muy estricta.

Brussels, 17/06/2011

Duisburg, 06/06/2011 President, Peter, delegates, friends, I am delighted to be invited to address your Congress today. I bring you the warm and fraternal greetings of the European Trade Union Confederation. I was elected 3 weeks ago – with your support – I thank you for this support. It is of great value and significance to me. Indeed, you are meeting at a very critical time for Europe. Europe is in the midst of daunting financial, monetary, economic and social crises.

Brussels, 08/06/2011 The ETUC takes issue with the following points: - The decision to adjust wage setting mechanisms and how to do so lies with the social partners themselves. It is not up to governments and certainly not up to the Commission to decide on a reform of the wage setting machinery. The autonomy of social partners to bargain extends way beyond the Commission’s call of simply ‘consulting’ social partners.

Tampere, 06/06/2011 President, Friends, I am grateful to be given the opportunity to speak to the SAK congress. It is the first time I address a congress as ETUC General Secretary. Our congress finished two weeks ago. I feel still quite new in the job…although I had a few months to get prepared. I would at first thank you most warmly for nominating me as your candidate and supporting me during the election process.

Brussels, 31/05/2011 The action programme to reduce administrative burdens is controversial as it includes proposals that would undermine the purpose of the legislation. The action programme goes beyond reducing unnecessary administrative burdens as it also includes perceived burdens. Furthermore it fails to look at the benefits of the legislation in question.

Athens, 18/05/2011

Athènes, 19/05/2011 President, Wanja, John. First let me thank delegates for their vote and support to the next team. It is a great honour and a tremendous responsibility to serve the European Trade Union Confederation as its General Secretary. Being the first woman in that position makes it even more significant. It is a great honour and a tremendous responsibility to serve the European Trade Union Confederation as its General Secretary.