Brussels, 05/07/2007 "{Already, there was a widespread trade union feeling that “liberal” Europe is receiving too much encouragement, with the current emphasis on de-regulation, on encouraging entrepreneurship and on opposition to new labour standards at EU level. The social dimension of Europe is not keeping pace with the development of the internal market. The way that flexicurity was being promoted by some is confirming that feeling.

Bundoran, 03/07/2007

Bundoran, 03/07/2007 To be checked against delivery JM/cd President, delegates, fellow guests, thanks for the invitation to again visit the biennal Congress of the ICTU.

Brussels, 03/07/2007

Brussels, 29/06/2007

Brussels, 29/06/2007 Climate change is liable to accentuate social inequalities, because it will have a greater impact on the poorer countries and, within countries, on the least well-off communities. In Europe, too, jobs might be threatened in many economic sectors which depend upon the climate, such as farming, tourism, fisheries or water, and in areas prone to flooding.

Brussels, 27/06/2007 Job protection, far from being jettisoned, underpins this modern reform agenda of a more efficient and inclusive labour market. It supports productivity, innovation and access of workers to training by promoting stable employment relations and protecting workers from unfair dismissal. Notifying workers well in advance of dismissal and change, functions as an ‘early-warning' signal so that measures to prepare for upwards mobility can be taken.

Brussels, 26/06/2007 The Committee will assess the outcome of the Congress and launch activities to implement the wide-ranging Strategy and Action Plan agreed by delegates, for the next four years. Also on the agenda will be a joint report from the social partners (trade unions and employers) on the Key Challenges facing European Labour Markets. The Executive will also elect its vice-presidents, on a rotational basis, to hold office until the next Congress in four years.

Brussels, 23/06/2007 We welcome the statement that the Charter of Fundamental Rights will be legally binding. That is the critical test we had set to judge the success or failure of the talks. However the UK's denial of European-based social rights for British workers is to be deplored. We hope that this will be rectified as soon as possible. We also welcome the recognition that the EU is a Social Market Economy aiming at full employment and social progress.

Brussels, 22/06/2007 Supplementary pension schemes are taking on increasing importance in today's context of demographic change and an ageing population. The ETUC regrets the minimalist position adopted yesterday by the European Parliament, particularly on the following points:

Brussels, 20/06/2007 ETUC General Secretary, John Monks, and other leading European trade unionists, will warn President Barroso that if the new text of a Treaty does not include the Charter of Fundamental Rights in a form binding on member states, then the ETUC will campaign against that new Treaty both at European and national levels. In particular the ETUC will demand that the European Parliament should not endorse any new text which is unsatisfactory regarding the Charter.

Brussels, 20/06/2007 To be checked against delivery Friends, a small group of us have just met the President of the Commission, President Barroso. We told him straight No Charter of Fundamental Rights, No Treaty Sans la charte, pas de traité. We told him too that if in a new Treaty the Summit drops the Charter; or if the Summit does not make the Charter binding on member states, then we say no, on dit non, wij zeggen nee, wir sagen nein, to that treaty.