Bruxelles, 08/12/2008 This agreement must place the European Union (EU) on the path to an energy-efficient economy with low carbon emissions and offering quality jobs in environmentally acceptable industries and services. The financial and climate crises are further proof that it is urgent to put in place another development model grounded in sustainable development, in which environmentally friendly industry must have its rightful place.

London, 05/12/2008 Keynote speech of John Monks, General Secretary of the Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) The future of employment I have been asked to bring a historical perspective to today’s meeting. As my wife pointed out – that’s because you have been around a long time.

London, 05/10/2009

Brussels, 03/12/2008 The pace of the slowdown in economic activity is alarming and is raising the prospect of strong disinflation rapidly turning into deflation. Expectations of average inflation over the next 10 years, derived from inflation indexed bonds, have already collapsed and are now close to zero (see Graph).

Brussels, 02/12/2008 A top priority for debate is the trade union reaction to the Commission’s proposals for an economic recovery plan, which is set to be adopted, if in modified form, by EU heads of state and government at next week’s European summit. Trade union leaders will also discuss the follow-up of the salary campaign, with a focus on defining collective bargaining guidelines for 2009 in light of a prolonged European depression.

Brussels, 26/11/2008 Said Reiner Hoffman, ETUC deputy General Secretary: 'What matters now is the rapid and quick implementation of this recovery plan, in particular the 170 billion package that the Member States are supposed to provide. What also matters is social dialogue and social partners’ input to contribute to balanced policy packages avoiding social recession and downwards wage spirals. To organise this, the ETUC, together with employers' organisations, calls for an exceptional Tripartite Social Summit to take place before the European Summit'.

Bilbao, 25/11/2008 Speech by John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) President, friends, it is with great pleasure that I come to address the ELA Congress in Bilbao, a city and region in the Basque country with traditional, commercial, sporting and cultural connections with my own country.

Bilbao, 25/11/2008

Brussels, 25/11/2008 For the European side, ETUC and TUCA believe that the negotiating brief given by the Council to the Commission does not provide for this possibility, for which the European Parliament would have to be consulted again. For the Andean side, the decision by Colombia and Peru breaks the bloc’s solidarity and endangers the very existence of the Andean Community.

Brussels, 25/11/2008 Violence against women and girls is perhaps the most pervasive human rights violation that we know today, it devastates lives, fractures communities, and stalls development. It is a major global problem, with many institutional, legal and cultural obstacles to its elimination. Women and girls experience gender-based violence in every country and in every sector of society – regardless of class, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or culture.

Brussels, 24/11/2008 The tide of recession is currently sweeping in very fast. If left uncontrolled, this recession risks turning into an entrenched depression. Interest rate cuts and automatic stabilisers – both of which are necessary – will only be able to absorb part of the shock. To turn the recessionary tide around, Europe also needs a rapid, ambitious and joint plan providing for a clear demand stimulus.

Brussels, 24/11/2008

Brussels, 20/11/2008