The European sovereign debt crisis is having profound consequences for the labour law and industrial relations systems of the debt-affected member states and for the role of social policy at EU level. Driven by the need to initiate a process of ‘internal devaluation’ so as to restore the competitiveness of the national economies, public deficit reduction measures have been coupled with in-depth structural labour market reforms in a number of EU Member States, including Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

The new public procurement Directive introduces some positive developments from the trade union perspective – among them a binding social clause. This gives unions a stronger platform for pressing key demands such as respect for collective bargaining agreements, social criteria and greater transparency. We therefore look at the results with some satisfaction. However, much will depend on the way the Directive is transposed into national legislation.

Joint opinion article by Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, and Wendel Trio, Director of the Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe) published on Euractiv.com   According to Eurobarometer, nine out of ten consider climate change a serious or very serious problem. Meanwhile conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East show the fragility of our current energy system. European governments urgently need to find sustainable alternatives. 

European Works Councils: their role in health & safety and anticipation of change  

Dear Readers, We have just published the Special Edition "European Elections" of the ETUC newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!

Copies of today’s European Voice - the leading EU affairs weekly -  delivered to the European Commissioners and Director Generals, European Council, MEPs offices and member state Perm Reps, came with an extra four pages wrapped around the cover featuring last week’s Euro demonstration and the ETUC's 'New Path for Europe' campaign. See the ETUC ‘wrap’ around the European Voice

Dear Readers, We have just published the Special Edition "A New Path For Europe" of the ETUC newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!

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