Trade union mobilisation higher than expected

Brussels, 15/05/2009

150,000 demonstrators yesterday in Madrid and 50,000 today in Brussels: these figures exceed our estimates. We are now preparing for two other major Euro-demonstrations tomorrow in Berlin and Prague. We think the overall mobilisation will be close to 300,000 people. The success of these first two Euro-demonstrations in Madrid and Brussels is a clear signal that citizens’ concerns for their jobs and their future must be taken into account. We are calling for a New Social Deal in Europe, the foundation for more social justice and more and better jobs. This is the message we will continue to hammer out until the next European Council in June,’ declared ETUC General Secretary John Monks.

See also the ETUC Manifesto <strong>Fight the crisis: put the people first</strong> and all <strong>practical information</strong> in relation to the Euro-demonstrations in Madrid, Brussels, Berlin and Prague, as well as ETUC demands for a <strong>New Social Deal in Europe</strong>.