Brussels, 21/04/2010 ETUC Confederal Secretary Józef Niemiec will participate in the action day for the development of a genuine industrial policy in Europe and quality jobs in line with the policy of combating climate change and reducing CO2 emissions without penalising energy-intensive industries.

Brussels, 15/04/2010

Brussels, 13/04/2010 Commissioner De Gucht remarked "Free trade agreements can open new avenues to secure improvements in the protection of human rights, including labour rights. Trade policy can help, not hinder, legitimate social concerns. With our new agreements with Korea and Colombia, we will be doing just that."

Brussels, 13/04/2010 “Many of the people who died were associated with, and known to the Polish trade union Movement” said John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC. The tragedy is intensified by the fact that those on the plane were to attend the scene of another Polish tragedy, the massacre at Katyn of members of the Polish ‘elite’ during the Second World War. Tragedy has been piled on top of tragedy.”

Brussels, 09/04/2010 John Monks added: “It is only right and fair that speculations that account for a majority of many financial transactions should pay tax on their activities. The EU should urge the G20 to introduce such a tax urgently so that it can be used to contribute towards the heavy costs being incurred in combating the financial crisis.” - Video : ETUC supports a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT)

Brussels, 29/03/2010

Brussels, 25/03/2010 With the EU unemployment rate currently at 9.5%, urgent and determined action is needed. Europe cannot afford such a waste of talent. Europe must make full use of its labour force potential, improve job quality and increase employment rates in the face of demographic ageing.

Brussels, 24/03/2010 This was ETUC’s message in 2004, when it was first consulted on the revision of the Working Time Directive (WTD). This is again ETUC’s message, in a first response to the Commission’s communication, adopted today, with which it is starting a new round of consultations on the revision of the WTD.

Brussels, 25/03/2010 A string of campaigns and demonstrations have been staged and will continue in Europe. The mobilisation in Greece is not weakening. The whole European trade union movement is determined to make its demands heard on the European day of action on 24 March. Actions will be stepped up over the next few months if these demands are not heeded.

Brussels, 23/03/2010 Those who are now blaming public and social expenditure for holding back economics are confusing cause and consequence. Rising public sector debt did not cause the crisis; high private sector debt caused the crisis and its excess savings of households and companies which weakens recovery.

Brussels, 17/03/2010 In its Executive Committee meeting of 9-10 March, the ETUC adopted a resolution, summarizing the proposals for revision that are deemed urgent.

Brussels, 09/03/2010 The ETUC is concerned to observe that Greece seems to be alone to face a renewed wave of financial market speculation, orchestrated by the ‘Goldman Sachses’ of this world. The European Council, the European Central Bank and the European Commission are giving an entirely wrong message: Speculators are not to be touched while workers and governments are pressed to cut wages, social benefits and public services.

Brussels, 08/03/2010 The ETUC will discuss the aggravation of the economic crisis and notably the deterioration of the employment situation. Messages will be formulated in view of the EPSCO Council [[EPSCO: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council]] of 8th and 9th March but also in view of the Tripartite Social Summit and Spring Council of 25th and 26th March. Proposals will include those to regulate the financial markets and to avoid the return of speculation that devastates economies.