Putting Europe on solid ground: A worker-centred State of the Union Letter from the European Trade Union Confederation to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Dear President von der Leyen, As you prepare your 2025 State of the Union address, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), representing 45 million working people across Europe, urges you to put workers - their jobs, pay, and future - at the heart of your vision for Europe.

Dear Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, Ahead of the upcoming Porto Social Forum, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is calling on the Portuguese Government to use the Forum to adopt a Declaration in support of a decisive step forward for the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and its implementation.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) stands in solidarity with the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the entire media community in recognising the journalists who have been killed in Gaza. These journalists were killed while doing their job, documenting the reality, bearing witness, and ensuring the world hears the voices of those affected. Their courage and commitment to truth came at the highest cost.

The following letter was sent by European trade union leaders to Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Dear High Representative Ms Kallas, As European trade unionists committed to justice, human rights, and international law, we write to you with deep concern regarding the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the ongoing actions of the Israeli Government.

The following letter was sent by ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch and General Secretary of UNI Global Union Christy Hoffman to Commission Vice-President and High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib 

On 23 July 2025 a delegation from ETUC visited GTUC in Tbilisi to support Georgian trade unions and to highlight the role of trade unions in the EU accession process. In meetings with the EU Ambassador, the delegation discussed the EU’s assessment of the country’s democratic backsliding, which threatens Georgia's democratic foundations and its future place in the EU. 

ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch has written the following letter to CITUB (Bulgaria): Dear Plamen Dimitrov,Dear CITUB colleagues, We are deeply concerned by the news of unacceptable actions taken by Bulgarian authorities during the peaceful protest organised by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) on 14 July 2025.

Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 on European Standardisation establishes a legal framework to ensure that products and services introduced to, or circulating within, the Single Market conform to essential legal requirements, particularly those pertaining to health and safety. This regulatory objective is firmly anchored in the broader public interest, which includes the protection of workers’ rights and workplace safety. 

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and ILGA-Europe stand united in defending the rights and freedoms of LGBTIQ people and workers across Europe. Our movements are bound by a shared commitment to equality, social justice, and democratic freedoms—principles that are increasingly under threat. The ban on Budapest Pride is not just an attack on LGBTIQ people—it’s an attack on democracy, freedom of assembly, and the right to organise.

  ETUC strategy for countering deregulation  Adopted at the Executive Committee meeting of 18th June 2025

ETUC Resolution on the Single Market Strategy – missing social progress! Adopted at the Executive Committee meeting of 18th June 2025

ETUC demands for the Quality Jobs Roadmap Adopted at the Extraordinary Executive Committee meeting of 18 June 2025 The European Commission announced that it will put forward a Quality Jobs Roadmap, developed following consultation with the social partners. During the first hearings held in April and May 2025, it was announced that the roadmap would support through legislative and non-legislative measures collective bargaining, fair wages, good working conditions, training, and fair job transitions.

ETUC resolution on a 3-year Taxation Action Plan (2025–2027) Adopted at the Extraordinary Executive Committee meeting of 18 June 2025   Reclaiming Tax Policy for Social Justice, Solidarity, and Investment

Introduction: As a trade union movement united in the CCSCS and the ETUC, we express that the trade agreement between EU and MERCOSUR must contribute to growth, sustainable development, decent work, democratic values, and peace.

The ETUC stands with the people of Greenland Statement adopted at the Extraordinary Executive Committee Meeting of 18 June 2025 In November 2024, the people of Greenland woke up to the disturbing news that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, had once again raised the idea of seizing control of their land. This was not the first time such a threat was issued by the President or his cabinet.

The following letter was sent to Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and to Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Enlargement.   Dear Vice-President Minzatu and Commissioner Kos,  We are writing to ask the Commission support to defend trade union rights in Ukraine – following the unjustified seizure of trade union offices of  FPU, the biggest trade union confederation in Ukraine and ETUC affiliate.

The following letter was sent separately to Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and to

Mid-Term Conference  Belgrade Declaration Representing over 45 million working people in 41 countries across the continent, the European Trade Union Con­federation (ETUC) is the voice of workers in Europe. Meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, in May 2025, the leaders of trade unions from across Europe discussed the concerns and priorities of workers, their families and their communities. 

Mid-Term ConferenceResolution: Trade Unions’ Demands for a Successful EU Enlargement Twenty years after the largest wave of EU enlargement, millions of workers are still waiting for the promise of decent work, fair wages, strong rights, and real social protection.

The European Union will reexamine their association agreement with Israel: An important step forward which must be completed  Resolution adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 21 May 2025