Brussels, 11/04/2006 From the outset, the ETUC has maintained its support for the French trade unions in their battle to block the CPE. This strong action also demonstrates the ETUC's determination to oppose the job insecurity that is affecting young people throughout Europe.

Prague, 07-08/04/2006 To be checked against delivery It is with pleasure that I bring the greetings of the ETUC to the Congress of CMKOS. CMKOS will always have a special place in my affections as I was elected as ETUC General Secretary in Prague in 2003 - a Congress which you hosted impressively.

Vienna, 05/04/2006 To be checked against delivery Dear Colleagues I am very pleased to be here today for this important meeting of trade unions from Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. I had the opportunity to attend your last meeting, in Mexico, two years ago, and I hope that your deliberations will identify progress in our relationship. This will give us an opportunity to draw up united positions for social justice for presentation to the summit of political leaders next month.

Brussels, 05/04/2006 In a period in which transnational provision of services and mobility of workers is increasingly taking place within the EU 25, the Posting Directive plays a key role in providing for fair competition by guaranteeing the respect for workers' rights, labour law and industrial relations systems in Member States.

Bussels, 04/04/2006 The ETUC, the European Parliament and the European Council had, on numerous occasions, warned the Commission against backtracking and urged it to accept Parliament's compromise - a basis for early adoption of a Services Directive which would also respect the social dimension of the Internal Market.

Brussels, 03/04/2006 The two trade union organisations have written to Bosnian Prime Minister Mr Adnan Terzic, calling on him to take all necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of Mr Biber and his family, and to ensure that he can continue to carry out his trade union activities. Mr Biber has already been the victim of threats and attacks in 2003. Recently, he has been active in pressing for the new law on the 'revision of privatisation', designed to protect workers' employment and contract rights.

Brussels, 27/03/2006 “We call on the European Commission to take good note of the Council's support for the outcome of the Parliament's first reading, and to reflect this in its forthcoming amending proposal,” declared ETUC General Secretary John Monks. “Any move to reverse the hard-won consensus at this stage will only bring further damaging delays in achieving an acceptable opening of the EU market for services.”

Brussels, 23/03/2006 The work programme 2006-2008 is the second multi-annual work programme of the EU social dialogue. It reflects a joint wish to further establish the social partners' autonomy and builds on the achievements of the previous programme, which covered the period 2003-2005.

Brussels, 21/03/2006 Workers in Europe are worried about the lack of decent jobs, precarious and insecure jobs that are spreading throughout the economy and about the rising levels of poverty and social exclusion. They reject a policy agenda that, using the alibi of ‘business friendly' competitiveness, will make matters worse by reducing wages, working conditions, social protection and prolonging working hours. The ETUC calls upon the Spring Council to rebuild workers' confidence and support for Europe by :

Brussels, 20/03/2006 The introduction of insecure employment and the attack on existing workers' rights, in this case in France but also taking place in a number of other European countries, is not the right way to relaunch growth, boost European competitiveness and create jobs. On the contrary, these kinds of measures create a situation of social dumping in the EU, which will damage the future of Europe.

Brussels, 16/03/2006 “We are in favour of a more open approach,” affirmed ETUC General Secretary John Monks, “but it must be based on the principles of equal treatment and upward harmonisation of working conditions and social protection.”

Brussels, 15/03/2006 During the Competitiveness Council on 13 March, some of the 25 Member States took the view that the European Parliament's compromise goes too far, and reduces the ambitions of the original proposal. "The compromise achieved by the European Parliament is currently in the hands of the Commission and the Council,” declared John Monks, ETUC General Secretary. “We remain very watchful on the evolution of this text and we will take care to ensure that the European Parliament's proposal is not undermined in substance.”

Brussels, 14/03/2006 In the context of the debate on CSR at European level, the ETUC has always adopted a positive and constructive approach, and has consistently put forward proposals on the subject. Nonetheless, it appears that the debate on the subject of CSR is at risk of taking place without the true participation of the organisations representing the 'social side'.