Brussels, 21/06/04 On 18th June 2004, the Heads of Government and State came finally to a difficult agreement on the European Constitution. This agreement is important given the new situation after the unification of Europe which has created more blocking capacities. This historical event should have been a prolonged moment of celebration for the ETUC but we regret that the agreement has reduced ambitions, compared to the draft of the European Convention.

Brussels, 10/06/2004 The European Council meeting on 17-18 June is set as the deadline for agreement on the Constitutional Treaty. The ETUC has grave concerns about some of the latest amendments proposed at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). “ Europeans will become increasingly cynical about the European Union's ability to work in their interests if the social aspects of the new Constitution are further diluted”, says John Monks, the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

Brussels, 09/06/2004 Fresh information is arriving from individual countries which illustrates the far reaching scope of the proposed Directive and is leading to a rising tide of criticism from trade unions across Europe.

Brussels, 17/05/2004 ‘The fierce competition that European industry is facing is real and should not be underestimated. Simple recipes such as unrestrained competition and getting rid of rules and regulation will only lead to lower standards and will not do the job. Europe needs a real industrial policy', states John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC. The ETUC expresses several concerns on the Commission Communications on industrial policy and competition policy, which the Competitiveness Council will discuss on 17th and 18th May:

Brussels, 13/05/2004 The ETUC Steering Committee meeting on 13 May, expressed their shock and abhorrence at the spiralling atrocities revealed daily in Iraq. They underlined their utter condemnation and revulsion at the many and brutal murders in Iraq. They called for the immediate and safe release of all hostages in Iraq and for an end to the vile practice of kidnapping.

Brussels, 10/05/2004 As the EU Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) Council prepares to meet tomorrow, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has called on ministers to change their approach and prioritise growth as a means of cutting deficits. On 11 May, the ECOFIN Council will discuss the draft Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs), addressed mainly at the ever-growing number of EU Member States who are breaching the 3% public deficit limit in the Stability Pact.

Brussels, 06/05/2004 Message from ETUC, and ICFTU to the European Commission ‘The Chinese government is taking advantage of a liberal global trade regime by systematically exploiting its workers and violating their human and labour rights. This is unacceptable and the European Commission should deliver a strong message to the Chinese delegation visiting Brussels', John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC, stated today.

Brussels, 05/05/2004 ETUC General Secretary John Monks today called on the European Commission Competition Directorate to initiate proceedings and conduct further investigation into the proposed merger of Group 4 Falck's security business with Securicor

Brussels, 27/04/2004 The European Trade Union Confederation warmly welcomes the 10 new Member States joining the European Union on 1 May.The ETUC is demanding strong political action to improve social and employment standards in the new Member States, so that all 455 million citizens of the wider Union can benefit fully from enlargement.

Brussels, 08/04/2004 The ETUC welcomes the European Commission proposal to reform EU legislation on chemicals: REACH The draft REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) regulation is an important step forward in protecting workers, the public in general and the environment, from the potential dangers posed by some 30,000 chemical substances manufactured or imported into the European Union in quantities of one tonne or more each year.

Brussels, 30/03/2004 On 31 March, the first phase of the European Commission's consultation on the revision of the 1993 Working Time Directive comes to an end. “We call the Commission to come up with proposals that challenge outmoded forms of work organisation. We look forward to proposals that stimulate modern and sustainable solutions for business and workers”, declared John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation.

Brussels, 25/03/2004 Today, during the meeting of the tripartite social summit for growth and employment, representatives of ETUC, UNICE/UEAPME and CEEP met the President of the European Council, Mr Ahern, and the President of the Commission, Mr Prodi, to take stock of implementation of the Lisbon strategy and present the social partners' contributions to the Spring European Council.

Brussels, 23/03/2004 Press Conference Brussels, 23rd March - The creation of a new Vice-President for competitiveness could be a fatal blow for social Europe - - Letter to Prodi - - Background information