Madrid, 18/12/2009

Brussels, 17/12/2008

Brussels, 17/12/2008 The recast of the directive is aimed at tightening up the definitions of information and consultation of workers. As a first step to facilitate the establishment of European Works Councils (EWS), Members of Parliament (MEPs) abolished the threshold of 50 employees for setting up special negotiating bodies in companies. In addition, the Parliament has clarified the definition of ‘transnational’ – matters which concern the entire undertaking or group or at least two Member States are considered to be transnational.

Brussels, 15/12/2008 The European trade unions demonstrated in the streets of Strasbourg on 16 December, on the eve of the European Parliament’s vote on the revision of the Working Time Directive. Their slogan was ‘Priority to workers' rights, not longer working hours’. The Euro-demonstration aimed to caution members of the European Parliament not to adopt a revision of the directive that would lead to a regression in European social policy.

Brussels, 15/12/2008 The objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and increasing the share of renewable energy to 20% were confirmed at the European Council on 12 December. With this decision, ETUC finds that the Copenhagen negotiations in December 2009 can be approached on a serious basis. Taking advantage of the economic crisis, employers upped the pressure and won concessions from the EU heads of state and government.

Brussels, 15/12/2008 European social partners identified work-related stress as an issue of common concern at the beginning of the decade. In 2005, 22% of workers reported that they felt affected by stress.

15/12/2008 The report is available in English only. To download the Implementation report of the autonomous framework agreement on work related stress, click on icon below.

Brussels, 12/12/2008 ‘The list of beneficiaries of the EU’s GSP plus system over 2009 to 2011 includes some of the world’s worst violators including Colombia, Guatemala and Georgia', said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. 'Colombia should only have received benefits in exchange for guaranteed progress in terms of its compliance with internationally-recognised core labour standards.’

Brussels, 10/12/2008 Said John Monks, ETUC General Secretary: ‘The economy is already in the grip of recession and we are facing the prospect of a prolonged economic depression. We can not afford a “wait and see” attitude, nor another sup ply side reform policy that weakens workers’ rights and wages. Social recession as well as economic catastrophe would follow this.’

Bruxelles, 08/12/2008 This agreement must place the European Union (EU) on the path to an energy-efficient economy with low carbon emissions and offering quality jobs in environmentally acceptable industries and services. The financial and climate crises are further proof that it is urgent to put in place another development model grounded in sustainable development, in which environmentally friendly industry must have its rightful place.

London, 05/12/2008 Keynote speech of John Monks, General Secretary of the Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) The future of employment I have been asked to bring a historical perspective to today’s meeting. As my wife pointed out – that’s because you have been around a long time.

London, 05/10/2009

Brussels, 03/12/2008 The pace of the slowdown in economic activity is alarming and is raising the prospect of strong disinflation rapidly turning into deflation. Expectations of average inflation over the next 10 years, derived from inflation indexed bonds, have already collapsed and are now close to zero (see Graph).