The reset in relations between the EU and the UK must deliver tangible benefits for working people on both sides of the Channel to be considered a lasting success, trade unions say.
Agreements on defence, fishing, food safety and energy have already been found in time for a summit in London today, but negotiations on other areas important to working people are only just beginning.
In a letter to European Council President António Costa, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) stressed that further progress is needed to raise living standards, protect and create quality jobs, and uphold high standards.
Following close collaboration with its UK affiliate, the Trade Union Congress, the ETUC calls for:
- Easier, fairer pathways for people to live, work, and study in each other’s territories, with rights and standards safeguarded;
- Reduced barriers to trade to protect good jobs through alignment of standards in areas such as chemical safety;
- The establishment of a joint EU-UK youth mobility programme that could support skills development and training opportunities for young people;
- Dynamic alignment on employment rights to ensure a level playing field between workers in the UK and EU.
However, the ETUC stresses that the involvement of trade unions in the design and implementation of these measures is crucial if they are to benefit working people and stem concern over migration.
Trade unions also say that today’s deal on defence cooperation must come with social conditions which guarantee that investment in our common security does not come at the expense of social spending, benefits European – not US – manufacturers, and creates quality jobs under collective agreements.
That is why the ETUC is calling for a dedicated EU-UK Social Dialogue Summit to ensure trade unions are involved.
ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:
“Today is a welcome first step in the reset of relations between the EU and the UK. At a time of growing global uncertainty, it is more important than ever that close neighbours work together.
“But if it is to be a lasting success, today’s reset in EU-UK relations must lead to tangible improvements in the lives of working people on both sides of the Channel.
“That means this reset needs to lead to more and better jobs, lower prices for people in the shops, and more opportunities for working people for training and study.
“To achieve that, we must learn from past mistakes and not pretend that working people will eventually feel some trickle down benefit from international cooperation. Instead, trade unions must be fully involved in planning and implementing policies which have working people at their heart.”
Notes
ETUC Letter to Mr António Costa, President of the European Council, on Resetting EU-UK Relations with a focus on Workers
Photo: European Council
