Brussels, 08/10/2007 In recent days, the ETUC is relieved to note that a debate about the impact of a brutal appreciation of the euro on economic growth has started up.

Brussels, 02/10/2007 The Council of Ministers in Luxembourg approved the total liberalisation of the postal market by 2011, without any clear indication of how postal services to rural, mountain and island-dwelling citizens will be financed. Up to now, protection for mail of up to 50 grams has ensured a basic postal service to all citizens at an affordable price. The ETUC believes it is essential that truly effective measures for financing a universal service are identified and implemented before pursuing full liberalisation of the postal sector.

Brussels, 01/10/2007 To prevent a too expensive euro from pushing the euro area economy back into a slump in growth and jobs, the ECB must: - Signal to exchange rate markets that excessive volatility of the euro will not be accepted, - Rule out the possibility of interest rate hikes over coming months: higher interest rates in the euro area will attract more speculative capital and push the euro exchange rate even higher, - Consider instead the option of cuts in euro area interest rates in order to support domestic demand,

Brussels, 27/09/2007 Addressing a meeting of MEPs and trade unionists in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, he reiterated the conditions for workers' support for the treaty.

Brussels, 27/09/2007 The Women's Committees of the ITUC and ETUC are expressing their full support of and solidarity with the women workers of Novamed, now on strike for exactly one year in the Antalya Free Trade Zone of Turkey. They condemn totally the inhuman treatment imposed on these women workers, which is infringing on human and fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Social Charter of the Council of Europe, and Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Brussels, 27/09/2007 “The reality of many ACP countries today is that they are being required to negotiate simultaneously a regional custom union, a bilateral deal with the EU and a multilateral negotiations process through the World Trade Organisation (WTO),” said John Monks, ETUC General Secretary. “Very few countries in the world would be able to successfully take up such a challenge in five years, and the poorest countries are certainly not in a position to do so.”

Brussels, 26/09/2007 ETUC General Secretary John Monks said: “The EU must now apply effective concerted sanctions against the regime and seek to persuade all those with influence on it to make clear their total rejection of its inhuman actions. It is in particular inconceivable that trade talks with the ASEAN group (Association of South East Asian Nations), which includes Burma, can continue unaffected by this situation.”

Brussels, 24/09/2007 John Monks said: “the unquestioning and exaggerated free trade philosophy of the UK is leaving the economy increasingly open to foreign takeovers with little or no thought being given to what this means for the future. The UK should be supporting European champions and an industrial policy, not to create fortress Europe, but to safeguard R&D, innovation, and key skills.”

Brussels, 20/09/2007 John Monks said: “{We are concerned about rumoured attempts to obscure the position of the Charter, and to weaken its impact on Member States. Already the Charter has been affected by acceptance of the UK’s red lines. It is imperative that it has a legally binding effect on Member States and is within the scope of jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. “I am asking for an urgent confirmation of that, and have written accordingly to the President of the European Commission and the President of the Council of Ministers}.”

Brussels, 20/09/2007 In the view of the ETUC, the Commission's legislative package runs counter to the objectives of protecting the most vulnerable consumers and fighting climate change.

Brussels, 13/09/2007 The European Commission and the Council are drawing up common principles for implementing ‘flexicurity’ across the EU. The ETUC stresses that pushing Member States to make structural reforms without at the same time building a strong European framework to guide them will be counter-productive. Member States will only be able to strike a real balance between flexibility and security if European policy ensures:

Brighton, 12/09/2007

Brighton, 12/09/2007 Check against delivery President, Congress and honoured guests, it’s with great pleasure that I address the annual Congress of the TUC. It is also a pleasure to see another woman President. I would like to thank you for the invitation. Let me take this opportunity to wish you every success in your debates and discussions.