Brussels, 30/04/2009
ETUC General Secretary John Monks said: ‘Europe’s unions will have an opportunity to make their voices heard on Labour Day and on the European days of action in mid-May. The message sent out will be very clear: the unions will no longer accept the neo-liberal ideology of the past 30 years characterised by the irresponsibility and greed of certain individuals who caused the catastrophe we are currently experiencing. Not only does the current crisis highlight the bankruptcy of a system that sought to overlook social factors deemed ‘too much of a nuisance’ in order to push through ultra-liberal policies, it also has an all too human side, resulting in mass dismissals and disoriented workers who are anxious about their future and the future facing their families due to the looming spectres of increasingly precarious jobs and long-term unemployment. The political consequences may be very serious, too, fuelling racism and fostering protectionism’.
Workers will take to the streets on 1 May and then again from 14-16 May, because they want to save jobs and prevent the general impoverishment of society. Europe-wide union activities will continue in May, since all the European union leaders will be meeting up in Paris to continue debating the economic and social situation and the steps to be taken.
Europe’s trade unions will be marching for a social Europe, a Europe of solidarity. Above all, workers are calling for a Europe that gives priority to people rather than just to capital. Just over a month away from the European elections, there is a more pressing need than ever to realise that a socially strong Europe is the key prerequisite for credible European construction.