ETUC strongly supports US Employee Free Choice Act
At a time when the EU is discussing the enhancement of its relations with the United States (US), the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) strongly supports the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) which will put U.S. labour laws significantly closer to conformity with international and European standards. As the EFCA is currently being debated in the US, ETUC urges the European Commission President to communicate the Commission’s support on this important issue to its contacts with the US Administration, in particular with a view to strengthening the forces of democracy worldwide.
In a letter to European Commission President Barroso, ETUC underlines the importance, at this time of global economic crisis, for all of our societies of providing that workers are free to organise and bargain collectively. The rights and ability of workers to defend their wages and working conditions can help prevent a collapse of purchasing power and the market. The Employee Free Choice Act would be an important step in that direction for US workers. It would allow them to have a fairer chance to form unions without being victims of brutal intimidation, often including discharge. Current U.S. anti-union practices serve as a destructive model for industrial relations in other countries and in particular gives succour to those seeking to undermine the European social model and its reliance on social dialogue.
Letter to Commission President Barroso
To download the letter to Commission President Barroso and Vice President Verheugen and Commissioners Ashton, Ferrero-Waldner and Spidla, please click on the icon below.
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