Brussels, 23/09/2009

Brussels, 21/09/2009 By scrapping the full association agreement with the Andean Community, the European Union flies in the face of the strategy launched with the Rio Summit in 1999 (and which it reiterated at subsequent summits) in support of the development of political associations that strengthen integration and social cohesion processes in Latin America.

Brussels, 16/09/2009

Brussels, 16/09/2009 Despite the massive support of governments to the banks, (three trillions of euros in capital and bank guarantees, massive liquidity at almost zero interest rate), credit for productive investment remains squeezed whereas, at the same time, speculative behaviour are reappearing again together with overblown bank profits and bonuses for the bankers and their traders.

Pittsburgh, 14/09/2009 Sisters and brothers, retirement dinners can be strange affairs. When I left the British TUC to go to the European TUC, we had a splendid dinner, like this, in London. By the way, a guest of honour was Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United. That won’t mean much to you Americans, but to anyone who follows the real football – just the rest of the world – it means a lot. That night, I listened to many kind words, exaggerated tributes, recitations of claimed victories, gentle irony on things which went less well.

Brussels, 11/09/2009 {"It is far from clear if this is a step in the right direction. There is still a lack of any precise idea about what form a strengthening of the Posted Workers Directive would take. Is the President of the Commission recognising the case for equal pay, for equal work for Posted Workers? It is disappointing that he has not made any move on the ETUC proposal for a Social Progress Protocol. These points must be pursued and clarified in the Parliament, and the ETUC will be taking them up with the President." }

Brussels, 04/09/2009 He drew attention in particular to the involvement of the International Monetary Fund that sent a delegation to the country this week, and supported a joint request of the two Serbian unions for full consultation with them about the steps being proposed to resolve the economic crisis in Serbia. He said: “The measures under consideration will impose harsh conditions on many in Serbia and it is important that the union voice is adequately heard, not least their demand that the broadest shoulders bear the heaviest burdens.”

Brussels, 03/09/2009 “Now we need a New EU Social Deal comprising - more investment in an expanded European recovery plan. The Commission’s own proposals were a useful, modest step but the key is to co-ordinate a bigger programme and not focus, prematurely, on strategies to exit from the recession. We are not at the bottom yet and we may not be near it.

Brussels, 14/08/2009 Commenting on the figures released yesterday on the two countries’ growth rates, John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC said {“Welcome though these figures are, it would be a profound mistake to take them as a light illuminating the end of the recession.

Chianciano, 15-17/07/2009 It is always a pleasure to visit the CGIL and the beautiful region of Tuscany – the CGIL’s equivalent of the Costa Smeralda. Only a bit more dignified, I hope.

Tralee, 8-9/07/2009 President, delegates, fellow guests, thank you for the invitation to address your biennial congress once again. Two years ago, in Bundoran, I remember praising David Begg’s thoughtful introduction to the report of your Executive Council and in particular his warnings about casino capitalism. Well, a lot has happened over the last two years, and no one can say that the unions at least didn’t ring the alarm bells.

Brussels, 10/07/2009 Mr Monks will say “(…) the ETUC supports ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and I hope the Irish people approve it. (….) it is a step forward compared to existing provisions, for example in relation to the legal enforcement of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, commitments to full employment, the social market economy, and public services.”