Brussels, 03/08/2004 In a bid to secure employment, trade unions have recently agreed to increase working time in a number of company-level agreements. Although the number of such cases remains limited, and the associated measures are company-specific, there are opportunistic employer and government 'rabble rousers' throughout Europe who are abusing these arrangements to stir up public opinion in favour of a general increase in working hours."

Brussels, 12/07/2004 The European Multi Stakeholder Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) took place on 29 June, with the ETUC as one of the participants. The Forum was set up as part of the European Commission's strategy for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility, outlined in its Communication of 2 July 2002, and for encouraging dialogue between employers, trade unions, civil society and other partners. The ETUC is pleased to see some progress, but believes more work remains to be done.

Brussels, 08/07/2004 What direction should Social Europe take? Such will be the main debate discussed at the Informal Employment and Social Policy Council Meeting which the social partners took part in (Maastricht on July the 8th)." Strong social partnerships, welfare states and public services are the key elements of the European social model”, declared John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) at the Employment and Social Policy Informal Council meeting, held in Maastricht on July the 8th.

Maastricht, 08/07/2004 Thanks. We in the ETUC are looking forward to this Dutch Presidency. Dutch Presidencies have traditionally been well regarded and of course our meeting here in Maastricht today is a powerful reminder of those previous talks 12 years ago which produced the Maastricht Treaty. Which direction for social Europe is the underlying question posed by the discussion paper. This is a big question and needs to be considered carefully.

Brussels, 30/06/2004 More than 100 young trade unionists met together in the framework of the Barcelona Culture Forum on 29-30 June 2004 to discuss a fundamental question: What trade union culture does the younger generation want? Their answer was clear: “The same values, but different methods!”Yes, for the young people of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), defending the interests of working people still has a meaning. And so does the pursuit of peace, justice and solidarity!

Brussels, 23/06/2004 The ECB is appealing through the media to social partners to avoid inflationary second-round effects from higher oil prices.' However it is not only wage formation but also monetary policy that needs to react appropriately ‘, says John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC.

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.