European Trade Union Committee for Education
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ETUCE Solidarity to the Public sector strike in the UK on 30 November
The workers from all public sectors in the United Kingdom have decided to go on strike the 30 November 2011 to protest against the austerity measures decided by the government. The strike was voted by a large majority in all the unions. The movement was an impressive success, especially for the education sector where 90% of public schools were closed. All the observers agree that the 30 November strike is the most important industrial action movement in the UK since the 1980’s. Many teachers have participated in the strike and demonstrations for the first time in their career, as well as many school managers. Opinion polls have showed that the strike movement receives wide support amongst the public. The ETUCE has sent a support message to its member organisations in the UK, all of them participating in the action. In this message the ETUCE hopes that the strike in the UK public services will be part of a successful resistance to irresponsible policies all over Europe.
ETUCE concern about the court sentence
against EGITIM SEN trade unionists
The ETUCE is extremely concerned with the decision from the Izmir (Turkey) court to condemn 25 members of Egitim-Sen, the Turkish teachers' union and KESK, the public confederation for allegedly belonging to an ‘illegal’ Kurdish organisation, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK). Although no evidence was produced to link the union's affiliates with the Kurdish organisation, the Egitim-Sen and KESK members were sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. During the trial process, running from 2009 onwards, serious doubts over the court's independence were raised by international observers. It appeared more and more clearly that the whole case is nothing but an attempt by the government to silence the trade union movement in Turkey. The ITUC, ETUC as well as Amnesty International have all denounced the case against the Egitim-Sen and KESK members. The EI Executive Board, gathered in Brussels on 1 December has condemned the incredible final verdict of this case. EI and ETUCE will now undertake the appropriate actions at international and european levels to protest against this unbearable repression of their member organisations in Turkey.
ETUCE deeply concerned by the situation in Romania
The European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) wishes to express its concern regarding the current situation of education in Romania. The draft Budget 2012 currently under discussions in the Romanian Parliament involves the reduction of the public investment in education to 2% of GDP.
Our best wishes for 2012!
The ETUCE would like to thank all the European member organisations for the productive cooperation and support throughout the year. We wish you all a happy holiday season and all the best for 2012, and we hope for the success of your work.
As in previous years, the secretariat did not send greetings cards; a donation to Amnesty International was made instead.
"European Year of Citizens" 2013
The European Commission has suggested designating 2013 as the "European Year of Citizens". The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is drawing up an opinion on the Commission proposal. Every European citizen has the opportunity to contribute to this proposal.
For more information, click here
Publication of the conclusions of the project on Teachers' work-related stress: “European-wide Survey - Assessment, Comparison and Evaluation of the Impact of Psychosocial Hazards on Teachers at their Workplace in the EU”
The ETUCE is happy to inform you that the study report containing the full overview of the survey results as well as the ETUCE project brochure on Teachers' work-related stress: European-wide Survey - Assessment, Comparison and Evaluation of the Impact of Psychosocial Hazards on Teachers at their Workplace in the EU are now available for download.
The ETUCE brochure summarising the project and its results is available in English, French and German. The Russian translation will be available soon.
German trade unions unanimously argue for a definite change of policy in EuropeThe German trade unions unanimously argue for a definite change of policy in Europe: We
need a clear signal to make public budgets in Europe effective and democracy capable of
acting. Together the unions within the German Trade Union Federation (DGB) developed a strategy to lead Europe out of the crisis.
ETUCE Special Meeting: Education, a response to the crisis
On Friday 20 January 2012, ETUCE held a Special Meeting on the impacts of the economic crisis on the education sector.
75 participants from member organisations in 26 European countries gathered for this one day meeting in Brussels. From several keynote speeches and panel presentations they learned about causes and consequences of the economic crisis’ more recent developments. The speakers were EI, TUAC, EPSU and ETUI representatives as well as Androulla Vassilliou, European Commissioner for Education and Culture. The presentations gave rise to a vital debate among participants about the negative effects of austerity cuts in the education sector and the entire social system. Mrs Vassilliou had a brief opportunity to listen to participants’ interventions. She shared their concerns and stated: “Investment in quality education and training is a necessary condition for economic prosperity, job creation and the preservation of the European social model.“
Participants also reported on their own national experience and exchanged views on possible solutions to overcome the current most threatening problems. They emphasised the importance of joint decision-making and early actions at European level at this stage of the crisis. Participants agreed on a set of conclusions.
All relevant documents from this meeting are on
the ETUCE special webpage on the crisis >>
General strike in Belgium brings the entire country to a halt
For the first time since 1993 workers from the three major Belgian trade unions, CSC, FGTB and CGSLB, have successfully organised a general strike together. On 30 January 2012, just in time for the EU summit in Brussels, protesters in the entire country laid down work and brought public life almost to a standstill. The airport Charleroi remained closed and at Brussels airport, traffic was substantially disturbed. Trains and public transport stopped operating and in some parts of the country people organised street blockades. In Antwerp the dock workers joined the strike as well as numerous employees in the private sector. Demonstrators gathered in front of the European Council’s building where the EU summit met to agree on the fiscal pact and the permanent rescue fund.
The 24 hours lasting far-reaching strike sent a strong signal against planned cuts in the social benefit system. These are part of the Belgian government’s drastic austerity program under Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo. The new government’s savings program includes among other severe measures a proposal to raise the effective retirement age. The ETUCE expresses its solidarity with the workers on strike believing that there have to be alternative solutions to further cuts. Continued cuts will again mostly affect ordinary workers and their families.
31/01/2012
