Working time directive: first victory
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, by a large majority, of the Cercas report on the Working Time Directive. The Cercas report disavows the decision taken by the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) last June, which was a disastrous move for European workers.
ETUC General Secretary John Monks commented: ‘The European trade unions cannot but welcome this vote, which represents an important victory on this issue. We now call on the European Parliament to adopt a firm position with regard to the Commission and Council at the vote in plenary on 17 December. The European trade union movement will demonstrate on 16 December in Strasbourg to ask the European Parliament to reject the Council’s decision and to confirm its position adopted at first reading.’
The ETUC will develop these points at its press conference on 6 November, held in collaboration with Mr Cercas and the European Federation of Public Service Unions.
Further information:
See ETUC’s information leaflet on the Working Time Directive (also available as PDF document (328Kb)) which outlines the issues at stake.
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