ETUC assessment of the European Commission Work Programme 2016   ETUC position adopted at the ETUC Executive Commitee on the 16-17 December 2015 Introduction   This paper provides an ETUC assessment of the European Commission’s (EC) Work Programme 2016 (WP) No Time for Business as Usual.  

Key Issues Good work-life balance has a positive impact on the well-being of workers. It can also contribute to achieving major EU policy goals: stimulating employment (especially among women and older workers) and growth; promoting children and youth development; and eventually achieving gender equality.

ETUC POSITION ON THE STRUCTURAL REFORM OF THE EU EMISSIONS TRADING SYSTEM Approved at the Executive Committee Meeting of 16-17 December 2015

Completing Economic and Monetary Union: Rebalancing European Economic Governance (ETUC position) Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee on 16-17 December 2015 Introduction The Commission Communication of 21 October describes the initiatives the Commission will undertake in stage 1 of the process to deepen EMU. In this stage, the Commission will intensify the use of policy instruments and levers that already exist within the current Treaties in order to improve the functioning of EMU.

We, the European trade union movement, stand in solidarity with the people of France, and the French trade unions following the murderous attacks on innocent people in Paris. We, trade unions throughout Europe, condemn without reservation these barbaric murders. There can be no justification for the deliberate, cold-blooded taking of people’s lives, for causing injury and trauma, for bringing grief to the family and friends of the victims. We commend the bravery of the police, security and emergency services, and ordinary citizens, during and after the attacks. 

ETUC position on the Annual Growth Survey 2016 - for a Europe that works for workers and citizens Adopted at the ETUC Executive meeting on 28-29 October 2015 Introduction This document sets out the European trade union movement’s views and priorities for the 2016 Annual Growth Survey and the European Semester. It builds on the comments expressed in the consultation meeting between the European Commission and the European social partners on 23 September 2015.

ETUC position on National Competitiveness Boards  Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee on 28-29 October 2015 Introduction On 21 October the Commission adopted a Recommendation for a Council Recommendation requiring euro area member states to establish national Competitiveness Boards. At the level of each (euro area) member state, these boards aim to: a)    monitor competitiveness developments relative to global competitors (including labour costs).

Proposal for an Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Regulation – ETUC position paper Key messages

Endorsed by the Executive Committee at its meeting on 17-18 June 2015 In its Communication “A digital single market strategy for Europe” (6 May 2015) the Commission adopts the traditional internal market approach. 

Position adopted by the Executive Committee of 17-18 June 2015 In December 2015, countries will meet in Paris under the UN auspices to seal a new global agreement to fight climate change. Ahead of this crucial summit, the ETUC reiterates its key demands to Parties, and specifically to the EU which must continue to play a leading role in the negotiations.

ETUC declaration on 'Better Regulation' Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee on 17-18 June 2015 The ‘Better Regulation’ package[1] published the 19/05/2015 by the European Commission is supposed to ensure better, simpler, less burdensome EU regulation.

In its meeting in March 2015, the ETUC Executive Committee affiliated the two representative confederations from Montenegro, CTUM and UFTUM.  CTUM was affiliated because the new leadership, elected at their congress in November 2013, engaged in a serious and complex reform process. This process clearly disturbs those forces who want to keep CTUM under full control. The same are responsible for enormous financial abuses that ruin the trade union’s reputation.

Adopted by the ETUC Executive Committee at its meeting on 17-18 June 2015 The ETUC expresses its support for the demonstration on immigration which will take place on Saturday 20 June 2015 in Rome. The tragedy in the Mediterranean, the loss of thousands of lives, the terrible suffering of those who seek refuge fleeing hunger, poverty, war and persecution require a European response based on humanity, solidarity, integration and inclusion. Europe must overcome divisions and nationalism and give a common response to this humanitarian emergency.