Brussels, 5-6 December 2005 1) On the occasion of the enlargement of 1 May 2004, 12 of 15 ‘old' Member States have introduced transitional measures. Some new Member States have applied measures on the basis of reciprocity as a response. Before 1 May 2006 the Council will have to review the functioning of the transitional provisions on the basis of a Commission report. This report is expected to be published in January 2006. ETUC wants to contribute to the debate about the next steps with this resolution and the explanatory memorandum in the annex.

Brussels, 01 December 2004 The Lisbon strategy is about reaching ambitious objectives in the economic, the social and the sustainability field through a strategy of innovation and by investing in a knowledge society. Lisbon is not about wage cuts or competition on the basis of bad working conditions; instead it is about economic, social and ecological policies that are mutually strengthening each other. This is why the ETUC has welcomed the Lisbon strategy from the beginning.

Brussels, 01 December 2004 1. The Resolution approved by the Executive Committee on 18-19 March 2004 underlined the importance of bolstering the coordination of collective bargaining, as indicated in the Prague Congress' Action Programme. This decision now appears even more important in the light of recent action taken in many European countries which could worsen existing contractual and working conditions for workers.

Brussels, 13-14 October 2004 1. The new European Constitution is a clear improvement over the present Treaties which have established the European Union. It is less ambitious and effective than the ETUC proposed and also less than the European Convention put forward in its report. Nonetheless despite these reservations and weaknesses, the new Treaty is a move forward towards an improved European framework and, clearly while not the final step, deserves and requires the support of the ETUC. Background

Brussels, 09-10 June 2004 - 1 - The journey begun by the European Commission back in July 2001 with the Green Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which was intended to launch a debate on "how to build a partnership for the development of a new framework for the promotion of corporate social responsibility, taking account of the interests of both business and the various stakeholders", will reach an important milestone on 29 June when the Multi-Stakeholder Forum comes to an end and the key elements of its final report are presented.

Brussels, 09-10 June 2004

Brussels, 09-10 June 2004

17/03/2004

Brussels, 17-18 March 2004

Brussels, 19-20 November 2002 The ETUC and its affiliated organisations welcome the Council decision to nominate 2003 as the European Year of People with Disabilities. The ETUC will mobilise trade unionists everywhere to make this European Year a success, to make it a year for equal rights and social integration in an ordinary work environment and a launch pad for the future, to develop access to education, employment and the dignity of all persons with disabilities.