It is with sorrow that we learnt about the passing away of MEP Véronique Trillet-Lenoir earlier this month. Her remarkable dedication to the health and safety of workers will be remembered.   As a public servant dedicated to achieving health and safety at work, MEP Trillet-Lenoir demonstrated a solid commitment to improving the lives of workers throughout the EU. Her recent involvement in the revision of the Directive on asbestos at work demonstrated her dedication and commitment to making workplaces safer for all.  

ETUC and TUCA, representing 45 million workers in Europe and 55 million workers in the Americas respectively, welcome a closer partnership between our continents. Today, more than ever, we claim that this renewed partnership must be founded on shared objectives, including the pursuit of peace, the defense of democracy and human rights, and the redistribution of wealth and equality.

RATIFICATION OF AFFILIATIONS ADOPTED BY THE ETUC 15TH STATUTORY CONGRESS  (BERLIN, 23-26 MAY 2023)

Letter of the European Trade Union Confederation in view of the European Council meeting on 29-30 June 2023 sent to Heads of State and Government

Dear Marylise and Laurent,

Letter sent to: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission Urgent open letter concerning the European Union and Tunisia partnership package Dear President of the European Commission Ms Ursula von der Leyen,

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE ETUC 15TH STATUTORY CONGRESS  (BERLIN, 23-26 MAY 2023)

ETUC CHARTER OF VALUES ADOPTED BY THE ETUC 15TH STATUTORY CONGRESS  (BERLIN, 23-26 MAY 2023)

ETUC ACTION PROGRAMME  2023-2027 ADOPTED BY THE ETUC 15TH STATUTORY CONGRESS  (BERLIN, 23-26 MAY 2023)

BERLIN MANIFESTO ADOPTED BY THE ETUC 15TH STATUTORY CONGRESS  (BERLIN, 23-26 MAY 2023)

U.S.-EU Tripartite Trade and Labor Dialogue (TALD) Social Partner Joint Statement on Transatlantic Forced Labor Trade Strategy (see PDF file)  

ETUC reply to the first phase of the Social Partner Consultation on a possible revision of the European Works Council Directive (2009/38/EC) Adopted by written procedure on 22 May 2023 The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the European Commission’s intention to address the shortcomings of the European Works Council Directive (Directive 2009/38/EC) through a legally binding initiative.

Dear colleagues,                                                               

ETUC Position on the Reform of the economic governance (toward an EU pact for employment and investments) Position adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 30-31 March 2023 The reform of the economic governance of the European Union issued on 9 November 2022 should be assessed as insufficient. The European Commission's (EC) proposal appears inconsistent with both the Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022 and Porto’s Social Summit Conclusions in 2021. Social and sustainability frameworks, such as the EPSR and SDGs, are disregarded.

ETUC proposals for the Revision of the EU’s electricity market design Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 30-31 March 2023 A reform of the energy market, away from liberalisation dogma, is badly needed The trade union movement has been critical of the historical decision to liberalise the EU energy market. ETUC believes that important structural features of the Directive and Regulation on the internal market for electricity have contributed to exacerbating the energy price crisis and should be revised.

ETUC Resolution on Quality Traineeships Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 30-31 March 2023 Background

The ETUC response to the High-Level Group report on the Future of Social Protection and of the Welfare State Position adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 30-31 March 2023 Summary of the Position a.  The Final Report of the High-Level Group of experts on the future of social protection and the welfare state in the EU was launched on 7 February 2023.

The ETUC reiterates its very strong support for the French trade unions united in their mobilisation for social dialogue and against the pension reform in France. The way in which the French pension reform was adopted, without any dialogue with social partners, is not acceptable. The European Social model is based on social dialogue.  The respect for social dialogue and for the role of social partners is a key component of democracy in Europe and must be promoted, not disregarded.

The European trade union movement, rejects the war and violence, condemns continuous aggression by Russian Federation against Ukraine and expresses full support and solidarity to Ukrainian people in their fight for democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Wages are not the cause of inflation. Workers are the victims of this crisis, with the value of their wages falling while prices for everyday goods are rising. At the same time, the value of pensions and of income support is decreasing in real terms. This situation is increasing existing inequalities, with low paid workers and vulnerable people hit the hardest. This crisis is being driven by excess profits – not wages. We are experiencing a profits-price spiral not a wages-price spiral. For example, energy and food companies have doubled their profits in 2022.

Working people always suffer in conflicts and the pursuit of peace is a fundamental trade union value. On 24 February 2022 Russian military forces invaded Ukraine, bringing destruction to peaceful cities and workplaces. It has been a year of shock and pain, devastating news and images, but also a year of bravery and consolidation of Ukrainian people and their unions and a year of solidarity, unity, and support.

Investing in our Future - Joint Policy Brief by the Finance Watch Coalition

Dear President, Dear Vice-Presidents, In light of your forthcoming debate on competitiveness within the College, the ETUC and IndustriAll Europe would like to reiterate its suggestions to improve the Green Deal Industrial Plan.