Dublin, 19/01/2011 Thanks for the invitation to come back a second time to the IIEA. Last time, we were talking about referendums and treaties and the reasons for Ireland to vote yes to a European future. As someone who believes strongly in a European future, I am only grateful that Ireland does not have to have a referendum on Europe now, in relation to the current crisis. In fact, Ireland has had a great deal of support from the EU especially the liquidity funding from the ECB, but it is also taking heavy punishment from the EU and IMF.

Brussels, 19/01/2011

Brussels, 18/01/2011 The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) reminds finance ministers that labour market flexibility does not create more jobs. Flexibility simply promotes precarious work, drives out good jobs, and creates high and rising inequalities.

Brussels, 17/01/2011

Brussels, 13/01/2011 The ETUC has written to Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, expressing its deep concerns as well as those of the Tunisian trade union movement with which the ETUC cooperates.

Brussels, 12/01/2011 Yet, as the financial crisis has proved, it is unrealistic to expect countries to be able to keep to the strict rules in exceptional circumstances such as now. The bad debts of the banks and their transfer to the public balance sheet have made it impossible for countries to keep to the current rules, and unless there is an exceptional period of growth, some will still be in breach of the stronger rules by 2013. This is a recipe for a collision with democracy.

Brussels, 11/01/2011 The ETUC has received reports from trade unions in Greece and Ireland about the role of EU Commission officials in implementing the EU/IMF rescue packages. According to these reports, it looks clear that the Commission officials are ignoring social dialogue and collective bargaining processes and directly intervening in the labour markets of these countries. Diktats are being issued which are designed to lower living standards.

Brussels, 06/01/2011

Brussels, 23/12/2010

Brussels, 22/12/2010

Brussels, 21/12/2010 The ETUC has insisted now for six years on the following key points: end to the opt-out; respect of on-call work as working time; equivalent compensatory rest being fundamental; no prolongation of reference periods without sufficient safeguards; and that maximum working time be counted per worker and not per contract.

Brussels, 17/12/2010 The European Council of 16-17 December rejected Euro-bonds and approved measures to punish countries in difficulties rather than helping them. ETUC warns that EU risks of plunging into recession for 2011 and that trade unions will continue their campaign against austerity. John Monks, ETUC General Secretary declared: “The outcome of this Council is more in the spirit of the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 and of economics of 30’s. What was needed is still the spirit of the Marshall Plan for vulnerable countries”.

Brussels, 15/12/2010 It has been widely reported that the Treaty amendment to be agreed by the European Council will say that "Member states whose currency is the euro may establish amongst themselves a stability mechanism to safeguard the stability of the euro area as a whole. The granting of financial assistance under the mechanism will be made subject to strict conditions."