About: ETUC

Critics warn carbon price proposal would exacerbate energy poverty
Energy poverty could be exacerbated ad prices rise under the European Commission's proposed revamped emissions trading scheme, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has warned, with other stakeholders raising similar misgivings.
Europe’s adaptation strategy to tackle human cost of climate change
The EU's climate adaptation strategy, due to be unveiled on Wednesday (24 February), will aim to tackle the human cost of climate change, both within Europe and around the world, amid calls from trade unions to reinforce protection for the most exposed workers.
EU’s Gentiloni calls for greater involvement of unions in recovery plans
The economic crisis caused by COVID-19 could turn into a “social crisis”, the EU's economic affairs commissioner Paolo Gentiloni has warned, calling for greater involvement from trade unions in the elaboration of national recovery plans.
One in ten European workers at risk of poverty, study says
In-work poverty increased over the last decade in most European countries, with around 12% of workers at risk of poverty, according to the latest report by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
Unions warn: Unemployment will double unless extraordinary measures extended
EU jobless figure could double to reach 30 million people unless governments prolong their support measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, unions warned EU governments in a letter seen by EURACTIV.
EU trade unions take stand against Facebook attempts to suppress ‘Unionise’ term
Facebook has shelved plans to roll out its 'Facebook Workplace' software, after being accused of breaching a series of internationally-recognised workers' rights by attempting to blacklist terminology associated with employee unionisation during the trialling of new features of the software.
Employers accused of abusing EU data privacy rules to hinder trade unions
The EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is being misused by employers across Europe as trade unions are denied access to information required to recruit and organise workers, a new study has found.
Unions defend multilateral cooperation to protect workers’ rights
Over 500 representatives from across Europe gathered in Brussels last week to reflect on how unions can reshape the role of labour markets in a world where multilateral cooperation is in crisis.
Legislators weigh options to enforce growing number of EU labour rules
A recent uptick in EU legislation on social issues has sparked disagreement between member states on controversial files to regulate labour rules across the bloc. Now legislators are trying to hammer out a way to enforce the growing number of rules.
MEPs call for EU law requiring minimum wage in every country
MEPs are asking the European Commission to require member states to introduce national minimum wages in a move that will unnerve politicians across Europe, business lobby groups and even some trade unions.
Posted workers revision gets off to shaky start
In an attempt to fight social dumping and fraud, the European Commission proposed on Tuesday (8 March) a review of the contentious Posting of Workers Directive, which regulates people employed in one EU country, but sent to temporarily work in another country.
Unions call for cash for carbon dependent regions
Trade union leaders on Friday (2 October) called for workers in regions dependent on carbon intensive industries to be given financial and other support to help them find new jobs.
Workers’ Day message for the European Commission
EU policies to tackle the crisis have made things worse, writes Bernadette Ségol. Many in the new European Commission know it, but cannot say it.
Unions and employers step into new social dialogue design
In the aftermath of the economic crisis, and the push by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to revive social dialogue, unions and employers’ organisations are starting to shape a modus operandi that will help them recover power and influence both in Brussels, and in national capitals.
Report: Companies score better with bottom-up employee engagement
Despite the slow economic recovery, a high number of managers and employee representatives in the EU report a good work climate, and say that the growing involvement of employees in companies’ daily decision-making is good for performance and economic growth.![Bernadette Ségol, general secretary of the ETUC. [ETUC CES/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/09/9320662046-a9aecfbc80-k.jpeg)
MEPs, make Juncker keep his promises
Jean-Claude Juncker was elected European Commission president on the basis of a social, even hopeful ten-point plan for Europe. Now, MEPs bear the responsibility to hold him into account on these promises, writes Bernadette Ségol.
Inequality persists as EU prepares for Women’s Day
Ahead of International Women’s day, the EU can only do a mea culpa. Gender equality in the 28-country bloc is far from being the norm, as research and data show women remain far more Cinderella than Superwoman.
Unions and businesses join forces on youth unemployment
European unions and businesses have released a series of proposals to fight the EU’s "dangerous" levels of youth employment, but concrete results may prove hard to measure.
Unions: EU’s industrial policy ‘absolutely contradictory’ with austerity
Trade unions say the European Commission's new industrial policy must be followed up with concrete actions.
Brussels drops plans for EU law limiting right to strike
The European Commission has withdrawn proposed legislation limiting workers’ right to strike, amid a furore from trade unions and EU lawmakers in Parliament who waived a "yellow card" to Brussels for stepping over national sovereignty.
Trade unions blame Germany, EU for double-dip recession
A new study by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) maps out the effects of the economic crisis on unemployment and inequality. It blames EU leaders, notably the European Commission’s push for austerity in early 2011 and the European Central Bank’s previously tight monetary policy, for the failure to spur a recovery.
Trade unions plan pan-EU action against fiscal compact
Union leaders from across Europe gathered in Brussels yesterday (25 January) and agreed to oppose the 'fiscal compact' treaty. They proposed an alternative set of policies – including a new role for the European Central Bank and increased investment – which they say will provide growth and jobs.
De Buck: EU budget weak on ‘competitiveness’
The EU has funded too many short-term projects that have little or no impact on the long-term competitiveness of Europe and it is high time to target EU spending on growth-led sectors, said BusinessEurope Director-General Philippe de Buck in an interview with EURACTIV.