Following widespread consultation, and debate in the Executive Committee, the ETUC has drawn up its response to the current phase of the European Commission consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), which was adopted on 6 September 2016.
The outcome of the Bratislava Summit falls well short of the expectations of the ETUC, and of the joint statement made by trade unions and civil society organisations ‘A new Europe for people, planet and prosperity for all’ https://www.etuc.org/press/new-europe-people-planet-and-prosperity-all#.V9_HZ_B97cs.
The Bratislava Declaration and Roadmap are as notable for what they do not say, as for the few vague things they do say.
Background
Transnational Company Agreements (TCAs) are increasingly part of the collective bargaining landscape. In many sectors ETUFs are stepping up their work to negotiate and conclude TCAs.
The ITUC and ETUC have strongly condemned the failed coup in Turkey and offered our deepest condolences to the victims. Unconstitutional attempts – especially involving military force – to seize power and overthrow democracy are unacceptable. We call for the investigation and eventual prosecution of those responsible to be conducted in full respect of the rule of law.
The European Union and China have a multidimensional economic relationship—we trade over 1 billion euro per day, we are negotiating an investment agreement, and we look forward to China’s accession to the Government Procurement Agreement of the WTO-World Trade Organisation.
It is in the interest of European business and trade unions that the EU strives for a balanced economic relationship with China. However, the question of how to treat China in anti-dumping investigations will feature prominently in our relationship this year.
Joint Statement by ETUC Youth Committee, Eurocities, Solidar, European Youth Forum, Age Platform Europe, EASPD, FEANTSA, European Disability Forum and COFACE
Adopted at the Extraordinary Executive Committee, on 13 April 2016 in The Hague
Towards the UK referendum
The European Union is facing grave challenges at the moment, and the ETUC would prefer to see the UK involved – together with other Member States – in resolving them, rather than turning towards national isolation.
ETUC resolution on digitalisation: "towards fair digital work"
Adopted by the Executive Committee on 8-9 June 2016
Key points
The ETUC demands:
a)to shape an inclusive transition towards good and fair digital work based on good working conditions, a safe and secure work environment and a fair employment relationship;
b)to avoid digitalisation further splitting society into a few winners and many losers and contributing to an even more unequal distribution of wealth;
Ahead of the negotiations to establish an Inter-Regional Association between the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and the European Union (EU), we want to hereby make this Joint Trade Union Statement:
ETUC mid-term strategy on migration, asylum and inclusion
Adopted at the meeting of the Executive Committee on 8-9 June 2016
Summary
The EU is the destination for 2 million long-term migrants a year. But inflows are more heterogeneous than in the past and migration and asylum policies should be more integrated to adapt to a new reality.
