About: ETUC

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.

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.

EU budget not growth-friendly enough, says de Buck

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.

Ségol: Financial tax must repair crisis damage

A financial transaction tax is needed to repair the damage of the financial crisis, which has cost millions in jobs, and the money should be used to invest in low-carbon growth and employment, said Bernadette Ségol, the newly-appointed secretary-general of the European Trade Union Confederation, in an interview with EURACTIV. 

European ‘competitiveness angst’ is exaggerated, ETUC says to Spring Summit

Instead of weakening the welfare state, competitiveness debates should focus on boosting imagination, education and R&D spending in Europe, says John Monks, Secretary General of the ETUC.

ETUC criticises Broad Economic Policy Guidelines 2000

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is not satisfied with the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPG) 2000.

EU social partners will discuss temporary work

UNICE announced that it will start discussions with trade unions on improving the working conditions for temporary agency workers