2005

Dundee, 18/04/2005 To be checked against delivery I bring there greetings from the European TUC to the Scottish TUC. Very understandably the emphasis here is on the General Election on May 5. Those of us who lived and worked for the Movement through the dark days of the 80s and 90s will know how important this election - any general election - is for the trade unionism.

Brussels, 30/03/2005 After due consideration by its executive committee, the ETUC today called on the European Commission and the European Parliament not to accept the argument of UEFA that there should be a “sports” exception to the principle of EU wide freedom of movement of labour.

Brussels, 23/03/2005 John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC, strongly welcomed these moves and said: “This is a victory for the ETUC, but a victory in a battle, not a war. The need now is to ensure that any new services directive is based on high standards, and is not designed to lower terms and conditions of employment, and undermine public services.

Nantes, 15-18/03/2005

Brussels, 25/11/2004 The ETUC is deeply concerned about the situation in Ukraine following allegations of massive fraud in the Presidential elections that bring into question the results officially declared by the National Election Commission.

Brussels, 19/10/2004 From the Trade Union point of view, this is one of the main results of the Conference on “European Corporate Governance”, on 18th October 2004, held by the Dutch EU Presidency. Commissioner Frits Bolkenstein stressed that businesses with sound corporate governance perform better and can contribute to meet the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy.

Brussels, 10/09/2004 The European Trade Union Confederation joins with its Italian affiliates in expressing solidarity with the families of the four volunteers - two Italian women from the Organisation “A bridge to Baghdad” and two Iraqis, one of whom belongs to the INTERSOS organisation linked to the trade union movement - kidnapped earlier this week.

Brussels, 13/05/2004 The ETUC Steering Committee meeting on 13 May, expressed their shock and abhorrence at the spiralling atrocities revealed daily in Iraq. They underlined their utter condemnation and revulsion at the many and brutal murders in Iraq. They called for the immediate and safe release of all hostages in Iraq and for an end to the vile practice of kidnapping.

Brussels, 06/05/2004 Message from ETUC, and ICFTU to the European Commission ‘The Chinese government is taking advantage of a liberal global trade regime by systematically exploiting its workers and violating their human and labour rights. This is unacceptable and the European Commission should deliver a strong message to the Chinese delegation visiting Brussels', John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC, stated today.

Brussels, 23/03/2004 Press Conference Brussels, 23rd March - The creation of a new Vice-President for competitiveness could be a fatal blow for social Europe - - Letter to Prodi - - Background information

Brussels, 15/03/2004 The European Social Partners, ETUC, UNICE and CEEP joined together in condemning utterly the outrages in Madrid on 11 March, which are an assault on our common European values. We joined together in expressing support for the call by the President of the European Council for a three minutes' silence across Europe to commemorate the victims at midday Madrid time on Monday 15 March.

Brussels, 11/03/2004 The ETUC expresses its sympathy and condolences on the events which happened in Madrid this morning. This is a black day for democracy. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones in this outrage.

Brussels, 27/01/2004 Giving the Jean Monnet lecture in the University of Manchester on January 27, John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), called for pro-Europeans to fight back against the tide of euroscepticism.