Dear colleagues,
I am happy to contact you on the eve of the 2024 International Workers’ Day – in a crucial time for workers and their trade unions.
This is the first International Workers’ Day since the Berlin Congress and celebration of the 50 years of the ETUC in and since our common demand for a fair deal for workers.
We have already achieved a lot, in supporting trade unions and working people across Europe, in defending trade union rights and the right to strike, in mobilising for a fair deal for workers and in winning advances in the EU institutions. Just last week we got the Platform Work Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive over the line after years of intense work. We also ensured the right to strike is protected in emergency measures for the single market and secured a ban on all forced labour products.
Together, we can win a fair deal for working people at a national, sector and European level. Together, we will continue to fight against a return to austerity policies, for investments in social progress and just transition and for fair taxation. Together, we can win a Europe built on quality jobs with collective bargaining and social dialogue at its core.
With the EU elections only a month away, this is the moment to be calling workers’ attention to the need to get out and vote. The scope of what we can achieve over the next few years will be determined in large part by the outcome of the coming elections.
We are all aware of the threats. There has been a surge in attacks on trade unions. The European trade union movement stands united against these efforts to silence workers and attack their trade unions, from Finland to Türkiye.
International Workers’ Day serves as a reminder that our collective strength has and continues to achieve great advances. By taking action in workplaces, on the streets, and at the ballot box, we can overcome obstacles, strengthen social dialogue and collective bargaining and secure quality jobs, fair pay and conditions.
As we raise our voices today, let us honour the sacrifices of the past and work towards a brighter future for workers across Europe.
I wish you all a successful International Workers’ Day.
Yes, it is bread we fight for, but we fight for roses too!
In solidarity,
Esther Lynch
ETUC General Secretary