Brussels, 03/12/2007 “By approving the proposed Temporary Agency Workers Directive, you can extend much needed protection to several million vulnerable workers. You can revive the idea of an effective Social Europe. You can give reassuring substance to flexicurity.

Brussels, 30/11/2007

Brussels, 29/11/2007 The report of the European Parliament adopts key flexicurity principles such as the promotion of stable employment relationships, action against abusive practices in non-standard contracts, action to improve job security for all workers regardless of their employment status, the strengthening of employability, transition security (for workers between jobs), gender equality and work-life balance, social partnership and dialogue and a macroeconomic framework for more and better jobs.

Brussels, 26/11/2007 The UK has spearheaded opposition in Europe to the draft Temporary Agency Workers' Directive, which would bring agency workers' rights and conditions into line with permanent employees. John Monks is urging Labour MPs to lobby British ministers to change their position in advance of an EU Employment Council meeting on 5 December.

London, 26/11/2007 To be checked against delivery Chairman, it is nice to be back. When I was at the TUC, I always appreciated the support we received from this group – support which had to be expressed discreetly and carefully even then, if the enemies of the Labour Government were not to be able capitalise on internal differences in the Party.

Brussels, 22/11/2007 Once more a major company, active in 22 European Member States as well as Norway and Switzerland, and with more than 60,000 employees, is making an explicit commitment to management at European level, coupled with fair representation for workers on the company’s managerial bodies.

Brussels, 21/11/2007 When the ETUC accepted the internal market as the EU's pivotal project, the Commission promised and delivered a strong social dimension: an ambitious social policy agenda, several legislative initiatives on health and safety at work and gender equality, as well as promotion of social dialogue. The internal market strategy did not concern competition alone, but was a balanced approach.

Brussels, 21/11/2007 The ETUC is also pleased that European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, in the European Parliament debate on the legislative work programme 2008 on Tuesday 13 November, confirmed his intention to submit a proposal to amend the European Works Councils Directive, to allow EWCs to anticipate and accompany restructuring.

Brussels, 20/11/2007 Nonetheless the ETUC campaign has contributed to one step forward – the inclusion of a protocol in the EU Reform Treaty which recognises the primacy of services of general interest. This was achieved primarily by the Dutch Government but it lines up with the ETUC campaign which has been strongly supported by mayors of capital cities and many in civil society.

Brussels, 20/11/2007 The ETUC Steering Committee discussed an assessment, made by Professor Brian Bercusson of Kings College UK for ETUC, of the various ways in which the Court may decide. [[Full assessment available on ETUC website: http://www.etuc.org/a/4295]]

Brussels, 19/11/2007 This new report is a further step to make the numerous initiatives of social partners on gender equality more visible and to encourage the exchange of good practices across Europe. It follows on and complements a first report issued in January 2007 evaluating the first year of implementation of the Framework of Actions, which was presented at the occasion of the launch of the European Year for Equal Opportunities 2007.

Bruxelles, 16/11/2007 En outre, elles demandent d'étendre les préférences commerciales de l'Accord de Cotonou jusqu'au moment où les pays d'Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique (ACP) seront en mesure de conclure des APE – si, et uniquement si, ils décident de le faire.

Brussels, 16/11/2007 Reacting to indications that the Commission is poised to reject proposals for a directive on services of general interest (public services), the ETUC Steering Committee on 15 November warned the Commission that it must give a proper place to public services in the EU single market and not subject them to the same tests as the market sector.