• 10.01.2017 Press release

    ETUC pays tribute to former General Secretary Mathias Hinterscheid

    Source: Le quotidien
    The ETUC and many others regret the death of Mathias Hinterscheid, who for almost 40 years was a leading figure in the trade union movement in Europe. Just a few weeks ago, he was honoured for completing 70 years of trade union membership in Luxembourg.
  • 01.01.2016 Press release

    #Istanbul: ETUC condolences and solidarity

    The European Trade Union Confederation expresses its condolences and solidarity to the victims and their families following the horrible attack on 1st January in one of Istanbul's most famous nightclubs. NO to violence and terrorism.
  • 22.12.2016 Press release

    2017 - the year of the pay rise

    European trade unions have agreed to make 2017 the year of pay rise for European workers. “It’s time for our recovery” said ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini. “Profits and executive pay have long recovered from the crisis, but white and blue collar workers’ wages have still have not got back to pre-crisis levels. One in three workers is struggling to make ends meet.” The European Trade Union Confederation, meeting in its Executive Committee with national trade union leaders, agreed that
  • 20.12.2016 Press release

    Balancing the challenges of work and private life

    The European Trade Union Confederation believes workers must be able to combine their working and private lives in a way that meets the needs of parents, children, carers and dependants. Evidence shows that a fair ‘work-life balance’ is good for workers, employers and society in general. Steps are also necessary to redress the gender inequality which persists across Europe, making it harder for women to enter the labour market, forcing them to make up for inadequate social care, and depriving them of equal pay and economic independence.
  • 20.12.2016 Press release

    #Berlin: ETUC condolences and solidarity

    The European Trade Union Confederation today expressed its condolences and solidarity with the people of Germany following last night’s horrific attack in Berlin. ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said "Our thoughts are with all the victims - the dead and the injured, their families and their loved ones - and with the workers who are dealing with the situation."
  • 16.12.2016 Press release

    50 years International Covenant on social rights

    On 16 December 1966, the United Nations General Assembly adopted two international treaties that would forever shape international human rights: The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICESCR lays down the right to work, just and fair working conditions and freedom of association, and recognises the right to strike. On its 50th ETUC General Secretary, Luca Visentini, said
  • 16.12.2016 Press release

    Stand up for undocumented workers

    Excluding undocumented workers from contributing to and benefitting from education and other public services costs EU citizens far more than including them, says a brochure published for the International Migrants Day (December 18) by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and Union MigrantNet. Estimates for the number of undocumented migrants in the EU range from under 2 million to almost 4 million. It is unknown how many are in undeclared work. What is clear is that undocumented workers are
  • 15.12.2016 Press release

    Solidarity Corps yes, cheap labour no

    The European Trade Union Confederation and its Youth Committee warned EU leaders meeting today in Brussels that the proposed European Solidarity Corps – on the agenda for today’s summit - should not divert funds or focus away from tackling youth unemployment. “The European Solidarity Corps could be a good thing if it’s really supports volunteering and not cheap labour” said Thiébaut Weber, Confederal Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation. “It should not be paid for by money allocated for the Youth Employment Initiative or apprenticeships”.
  • 13.12.2016 Press release

    ETUC on labour mobility package

    The Labour Mobility Package for the coordination of social security for workers who take up free movement within the EU, is a complex and highly technical legal package which offers some improvements, but does not deal with all the disadvantages faced by mobile workers says the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). Proposals that mark an improvement include
  • 13.12.2016 Press release

    ETUC elects Finnish woman as Deputy General Secretary

    The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has elected Katja Lehto-Komulainen as its Deputy General Secretary, replacing Veronica Nilsson who is standing down for family reasons. Katja Lehto-Komulainen is Finnish, has long experience of working at the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and was Head of International Affairs.
  • 13.12.2016 Press release

    Q3 Employment stats

    Google source
    Commenting on EU employment figures that show an 0.2% increase in employment in the 3rd quarter of 2016 compared to the 2nd quarter, and a 1.2% in the euro area and 1.1% increase in the EU28 compared to the 3rd quarter of 2015, Veronica Nilsson, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, said
  • 12.12.2016 Press release

    National UPdates n°3 - December 2016

    Dear Readers, Welcome to the third edition of our National UPdates newsletter illustrating how trade unions at national as well as EU level are working constructively with other partners in society, including employers, governments and civil society organisations, for social progress and justice in Europe. National UPdates will be sent to your mailbox quarterly.  To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!