• ETUC calls on EU and Member States to ensure full protection of refugees and immediately stop inhumane practices

    ETUC calls on EU and Member States to ensure full protection of refugees and immediately stop inhumane practices

    Brussels, 19/06/2009 ETUC calls on all Member States to ensure that any human beings fleeing armed conflict and political violence, or in fear of persecution because of, for instance, their political convictions, ethnic or religious origin, or their gender or sexual orientation, should receive appropriate protection.
    Press release Published on 19.06.2009
  • European Social Partners' revised agreement on parental leave: one extra month of parental leave

    European Social Partners' revised agreement on parental leave: one extra month of parental leave

    Brussels, 18/06/2009 This is a milestone in the 25-year history of the European Social Dialogue as it is the first time that European social partners have agreed on the revision of a pre-existing Framework Agreement. It is their 7th Framework agreement since the original Parental Leave agreement was concluded in 1995, later transposed into a EU Directive in 1996.
    Press release Published on 18.06.2009
  • Trade unions and SMEs cooperate on common economic and social concerns

    Trade unions and SMEs cooperate on common economic and social concerns

    Brussels, 10/06/2009 At the closing conference in Brussels today, ETUC and UEAPME presented an expert report (available in English only) containing a detailed analysis of the four topics that were singled out for discussion during the project:
    Press release Published on 10.06.2009
  • A low carbon strategy for Britain

    A low carbon strategy for Britain

    London, 05/06/2009 Thanks for this chance to contribute to today’s conference. At a time of economic and political storms and crisis, it is easy to dismiss or relegate the only slightly longer term challenges that we face. But that is a luxury we cannot afford because of the magnitude and complexity of the environmental challenge. Tackling climate change cannot just be a strategy for Britain. There must be an international and European dimension.
    Speech Published on 09.06.2009
  • The Commission's 'shared commitment to employment' fails to convince

    The Commission's 'shared commitment to employment' fails to convince

    Brussels, 03/06/2009 To prevent and control a situation of mass unemployment, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is calling for a different and broader approach. - To address the lack of demand dynamics and get the economy back moving again, Europe needs an expanded and sustained recovery programme: Europe needs to invest annually 1% of GDP in the coming three years in the ‘greening of the economy’.
    Press release Published on 03.06.2009
  • Brian Bercusson and European Labour Law

    Brian Bercusson and European Labour Law

    London, 29/05/2009 Cathy, Keith and Jeff have remembered our remarkable friend, Brian Bercusson in the most appropriate of ways. To Cathy, let me say simply, ‘Thank you for letting us have Brian for all those years, during which the ETUC was going through a crucial formative period.’ We all know that he was a man who loved his work and that in this sense he was probably impossible to ‘manage’. He worked too hard, but he would have never done it any other way.
    Speech Published on 02.06.2009
  • The EU in world trade – Features of EU trade policy and current perspectives

    The EU in world trade – Features of EU trade policy and current perspectives

    Brussels, 26/05/2009 I am glad this meeting is being held in the International Trade Union House (ITUH), home of ETUC and ITUC. I’m glad also that the Commission is seeking to involve civil society in dialogue over trade. This isn’t a subject that can or should be ghettoised to trade experts. International trade is high on the trade union agenda. And the EU’s exclusive competence on trade issues makes this a European subject par excellence. Hence the key interest of the European Trade Union Confederation.
    Speech Published on 02.06.2009