The European trade unions, meeting on 8 July within the ETUC Executive Committee, will discuss current short- and medium-term economic and social issues, namely the economic crisis, the employment situation and the need for regulation of the financial markets. The meeting will also look at the Lisbon Treaty and the demand by the European trade unions to append a social progress protocol to the European treaties, as well as addressing climate change with a view to the forthcoming Copenhagen Summit.

On the eve of the informal meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council, the ETUC Executive Committee will remind Europe’s decision-makers of the need to involve the trade unions in the discussions and decisions relating to social issues and employment.