Dear Readers, We have just published the September 2014 edition of the ETUC Newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!

The European Trade Union Confederation today called for

The European trade union movement will urge the European Parliament and national Governments to reject the EU-Canada Trade Agreement, which may be signed tomorrow at the EU-Canada Summit in Ottowa, unless it is changed. In a letter to the Canadian Ambassador to the EU, the European Trade Union Confederation outlines three major concerns

Commenting on the new European Commission announced today, European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Bernadette Ségol said: “Mr Juncker is creating an expectation of considerable change and that the new European Commission will show real leadership.   “It is encouraging that Mr Juncker has emphasised decent jobs, growth and investment as the priority for the new Commission.    “It sends a positive signal that there are Vice Presidents with responsibility for Jobs and Growth and for Social Dialogue.

On Tuesday 9 September, the European Court of Justice (CJEU) will hear a case that could result in companies forcing workers into temporary employment instead of open-ended jobs. In an oral hearing in ‘Grand Chamber’, the CJEU will consider the first case ever brought (Case C-533/13)* on the Temporary Agency Work Directive (TAWD) since its adoption in 2008.

New European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker needs to tackle the persistent over-representation of corporate interests in European Commission ‘expert groups’ warn trade unions and transparency organisations. These organisations (ETUC, EPSU, UNI & CEO) have highlighted this fundamental issue with the EU's advisory groups in response to the European Ombudsman's public consultation on the topic that closed yesterday.

Speaking at the ‘Conférence des Ambassadeurs’ in Paris today with Laurent Fabius and Walter Steinmeier, Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation warned that without tackling unemployment Europe risked a Union without the support of Europeans.     Speaking in a session on the political priorities of the European Union 2014-20 Bernadette Ségol said

European Commissioner Malmstrom's decision to support the 'Mare Nostrum' programme in the Mediterranean Sea – strengthening EU action and funding through the FRONTEX PLUS initiative – is a welcome first step says the ETUC.

“Draghi softens tone on austerity” says Financial Times, “Mario Draghi signals departure from austerity focus” reports the Wall Street Journal, “Draghi tells Eurozone: do more to boost economies” headlines The Guardian following the European Central Bank President’s speech at the prestigious Jackson Hole Economic Symposium.

Commenting on the latest European economic growth figures from Eurostat, showing no rise in GDP in the Eurozone in the 2nd quarter of 2014 (compared to the previous quarter) and 0.2% growth in the EU28, Claudia Menne of the European Trade Union Confederation said  “With Germany contracting, France stagnating and Italy back in recession the outlook is bleak. It’s no use blaming the weather or the situation in the Ukraine – the simple fact is that Europe needs a change in economic policy. Just cutting Government spending and hoping for the best is not enough.”

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, which show a 0.7% reduction cross the EU over the last 12 months, Claudia Menne, Confederal Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, said “Unemployment is still over 25 million, which is totally unacceptable. A 0.7% reduction, when unemployment is so high, is completely inadequate.” “Youth unemployment is also still far too high.”

The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Bernadette Ségol, today called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a new start for peace negotiations. “The spiral of violence seems to be endless”, said Bernadette Ségol. “But the international community – with the full support of the European Union - must insist on an end to the violence and a new serious effort to find a peaceful political solution.”

Today European trade unions’ concerns about the proposed EU-US Transatlantic trade deal (TTIP) were explained to the US Ambassador to the EU, Anthony L. Gardner, by Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The conversation concentrated on ISDS and respect of labour standards. The General Secretary confirmed that the ETUC welcomes closer trade relations with the USA that are effectively regulated, guaranteeing labour, democratic and environmental standards. She underlined in particular that: