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On behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation, I would like to thank you very much for inviting me to address the Summer University of the Socialist Party.

I like to introduce the European Trade Union Confederation as the European Trade Union. This designation immediately shows what we are, what we do and for whom, and why we do it.

The ETUC is the only confederation recognised by the European Union. It represents 86 national confederations and 10 trade union federations.

Our strength, the ETUC’s strength, is our unity, our unity in diversity and, I should say, in spite of our diversity.

For we know about diversity. Trade union cultures and history in the Nordic countries, in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland, etc. are all so extraordinarily different.

I believe you know, as well as I do, about diversity in trade union cultures in France. These are represented within the ETUC too.

Our strength is our capacity to stay united, whilst clearly keeping in mind what brings trade unions together in Europe.

What brings us together is the defence of workers’ rights and the European social model made up of social relations, social protection and public services.

What brings us together is the firm belief that, potentially, the European Union is a source of employment. In an ever more globalised world, there will not be an increase in employment if borders are closed again.

What brings us together is the will to use all available platforms to oppose the ideology of neo-liberalism and to influence decisions.

The European Trade Union is made up of different cultures and none of them should ignore the others. We can move forward only if we respect and take our differences into account.

Historically, the ETUC has always been in favour of the European Union, but not just any European Union.

We are indeed for “another Europe”, for a Social Europe. But what does that mean?

Social Europe is a Europe which is not just a free market. It is not David Cameron’s Europe; it is not the Europe of the Troika. Social Europe is a Europe which puts forward draft legislation negotiable by the social partners.

Social Europe is a Europe which believes that social protection, minimum wages, social dialogue, collective bargaining and social legislation do not constitute obstacles for the economy or for competitiveness, but indeed quite the opposite.

We got a taste of that Europe when we won the right to equality at work, especially equal pay for men and women, when we got legislation on health and safety, when we secured legislation making workers’ information and consultation mandatory, when European Works Councils were created, when an employment chapter was included in the Treaties, when we negotiated a legislative framework for part-time work, for fixed-term contracts and parental leave.

That was before the neo-liberal wave created by Mrs Thatcher polluted the air we breathe and permeated every pore of society.

This touch of Social Europe came before casino capitalism plunged us into a serious economic situation from which the financial sector is about to emerge unscathed, whereas workers and ordinary people have had to shoulder most of the burden of the crisis.

The ETUC stands for social justice. Making ordinary? People suffer the consequences of the financial sector’s folly is unjustifiable. And yet it is the solution proposed by the Troika and, behind it, by the heads of state and government supporting its action.

The current crisis looks like a good excuse to strengthen the power of neo-liberal ideology.

Today however, our first priority for Social Europe is an economic recovery plan at European level which is the only way to boost growth and quality employment.

Such a plan is possible. It requires an innovative use of existing institutions. It requires a well-understood economic solidarity between European countries. And to achieve this, we need a long-term vision but that vision is desperately lacking.

Such a plan can only work if Europe gives up its blind veneration of the 3% deficit.

Yes, public finances must be straightened out and debt levels must be lowered but the best way to do that is not by blindly slashing expenditure and wages as was notably imposed on the Greeks and the Spanish, the Portuguese and the Irish. The best way is to re-launch growth and to tackle the deficit and debt over a much longer period of time.

In December 2012, they – i.e. the heads of state and government – promised a roadmap for the social dimension of the euro area by June 2013. We expected that the heads of state and government would keep those promises.

But nothing, nothing at all, came out of the June Council, paralysed as it was notably/primarily? – but not only – by the elections in Germany.

The European Council should know that words have meaning and that the credibility of politicians requires the implementation of their commitments.

The heads of state and government promised a roadmap for the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union. They must keep their word. The ETUC will always be there to remind them of that.

Granted, we are in favour of the other Europe. But how do we get to that other Europe? Which forces can get us there? Is Europe at a dead end today? Can’t we change Europe from within?

Should we reject Europe, first say “no” and withdraw from any institutional participation in order to build that other Europe?

Of course not. Besides, the ETUC has already unsuccessfully resorted to the empty chair policy and institutional boycott. We have won the institutional recognition of European trade unionism. It is engraved in the Treaties which is something many other regional entities in the world envy.

As a trade union, we are used to living under tension/pressure? Refusal and opposition on the one hand, negotiation to find better solutions on the other.

By nature, trade unionism is inseparable from these tensions/pressures?

We have to find a happy medium: when is a good time for refusal? When is a good time for opposition? And how far should we go? When is a good time for negotiation? And how far should we negotiate?

Our role is to hold the course on a case by case basis, using opposition possibly followed by dialogue and negotiation.

The European Trade Union said “no” to the fiscal compact. We say “no” to President Barroso and Commissioner Olli Rehn who are doing their utmost to restrict Europe to being a neo-liberal area in which citizens are forced to compete for the least demanding social standards. We say “no” to the actions of the Troika in programme countries. We say “no” to those who believe that social progress goes against economic success and competitiveness.

We call for a new European social programme; we call for a directive on restructuring and for a health and safety programme. We call for a social progress protocol and for a European industrial policy. We call for the implementation of a youth guarantee, particularly in the countries which need it most. We are denied all this in the name of economic liberalism. We do not yet have the majorities or alliances required to change that hopeless lack of social progress but we will not stop denouncing this situation. We will go on saying that European integration is possible only if it generates social progress.

But solely opposing the European Union is doomed to failure. The ETUC is not calling for the dismantling of the European Union just because it does not suit us. The ETUC is not calling for the Euro’s disappearance and the rebuilding of national borders. It would be throwing down a losing card, a card which would not at all reflect the values we stand for.

The ETUC does not call for undoing the European Union. In a globalised world, the workers, citizens and future generations would definitely be on the losing side.

We say “yes” to what still is the objective of the European Union: social progress and full employment. Let us not forget that that objective appears under Article 3 of the current Treaty.

In less than a year, there will be elections for the European Parliament. These elections are important and the ETUC will be mobilising for them. If we want to have a chance to see “another Europe” emerging, we need a European Parliament which supports our positions. Next October, the ETUC will adopt its platform in view of these elections. You will, of course, be kept informed and I hope that you will respond.

To achieve that other Europe, the ETUC uses, and will continue to use, all means at its disposal: demonstrations, lobbying, campaigns, social networks and negotiations, naturally including alliances and cooperation with those political parties who share our objectives.

It is no coincidence that I am in La Rochelle at the Summer University of the Socialist Party. Our independence towards political parties does not prevent us from looking for allies wherever they are and I am sure that you are one of them.

Thank you for your invitation and for your attention.