Brussels, 01/03/2006 Following on from the Hampton Court Summit in October 2005, the European Commission published its proposal regarding the setting up of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (GAF) intended to provide help, for example, to workers who fall victim to globalisation with financial aid or assistance in finding a new job. An amount of 500 million euro per year is due to be paid into this adjustment fund.

Brussels, 28/02/2006 The liberalisation of the gas and electricity markets increases competition, but not necessarily in favour of consumers and new enterprises. On the contrary, the latest developments in France and Spain highlight the risks of industrial concentration, which the Commission denounced in its recent inquiry into the state of play in the energy sector. We are, in fact, witnessing the setting up of a European oligopoly, and anti-trust laws will be unable to stop this.

London, 25/02/2006 To be checked against delivery I am glad of the opportunity to share with you today a few thoughts about European trade unions' relations with Latin America, the Caribbean and notably Cuba. The ETUC's links with trade union organisations in the region has intensified over time. The historic ties of our Spanish and Portuguese members in particular have been a great asset on which to build the relationship for the European trade union Movement as a whole.

Brussels, 16/02/2006 "This vote shows clearly that MEPs have succeeded in finding a compromise that allows for the opening up of the services market, while at the same time safeguarding the European Social Model, even if there are still some improvements to be made," declared ETUC General Secretary John Monks. The majority of the ETUC's demands have been met:

Brussels, 15/02/2006 50,000 workers from all over Europe made the journey to Strasbourg to demonstrate for more social Europe. John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC said, “the strong presence of demonstrators here today is a clear signal to European and national decision makers that trade unions are a political force to be reckoned with. We turned up in our droves two days before an important vote and we will be present at each stage of the development of this directive.”

Strasbourg, 14/02/2006 To be checked against delivery Chers amis, Chers collègues, Merci à tous d'être venus à Strasbourg pour montrer au Parlement européen ce que nous pensons de la directive Bolkestein. Voilà ce que nous en pensons !!! (throw paper on the floor). Au début de cette campagne, la CES s'est donnée pour objectif le retrait ou un changement fondamental du texte initial!

Brussels, 09/02/2006 The ETUC has consistently demanded withdrawal of, or fundamental changes to, the Bolkestein Directive - and will be demonstrating for seven key demands to be met when the Parliament debates the issue in Strasbourg next week.

Brussels, 08/02/2006

Brussels, 06/02/2006 “We are certainly not against a Services Directive. But we are against one based on the country of origin principle. Open access, yes. Non-discrimination, yes. But we cannot tolerate outside companies undermining the conditions (labour, environmental, consumer protection) which apply to established companies, observing only those that are applicable in their country of origin. Fundamental change, not tinkering, is required,” declared John Monks.

Brussels, 01/02/2006 Christos Polyzogopoulos, President of the Greek national trade union centre (GSEE) and member of the ETUC Executive Committee, was seriously injured yesterday, following a violent attack by members of anarchist and far left groups. Mr Polyzogopoulos had to be hospitalized. The ETUC deplores this life threatening act against a union leader and expresses its concerns at such extremist activities observed recently in Greece.

Brussels, 25/01/2006 A preliminary assessment by the European Trade Union Confederation reveals major shortcomings in the national reform plans:

Palermo, 18/01/2006 To be checked against delivery I am grateful to the CGIL for the opportunity to visit Palermo and Sicily, to come to one of Europe's great crossroads, and to address you today on taking Europe's forward. 2005 was a bad year for Europe. A few years ago, the Queen of England reflecting on the bedroom antics of her children, said that the year in question had been an “annus horribilis”. Well 2005 was such an “annus horribilis” for the European Union. There were several reasons:

Brussels, 11/01/2006 The first half of 2006 should mark a new start for the European Union. “The concept of Social Europe must be central to the development of an EU where economic and social progress go hand in hand,” said John Monks. “The European approach must be the promotion of a social market economy with social rights.”