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"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, German and Russian.
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
Greece: Austerity measures
put trade union rights at considerable risk © rtbf.be
© rtbf.be7 February was a day of national strike in Greece. Under the motto of “Enough! We can’t take it any more!”, more than 20,000 persons demonstrated in the streets of Athens and Salonika to protest against a new range of austerity measures imposed by the country’s creditors. Called by the trade unions, the demonstrators gathered in Syntagma Square, further to a meeting between the Prime Minister and the Troika delegation which led to new reforms.
In this context, the ETUCE European Director, Martin Rømer, reaffirmed: “What is currently at stake in Greece affects all workers from all sectors, in all countries, especially in Europe. It is our duty not to let a failing financial system take the opportunity of the Greek crisis to test its ability to impose the wildest form of capitalism on the people of a sovereign country.”
Referring to the statement from the ETUCE Committee, issued in last October 2011, and calling for solidarity with Greek workers, Rømer went on to say: “One year of austerity in Greece has demonstrated that what is presented as a cure only worsens the disease. Austerity leads to recession, itself leading to more austerity, leading to deeper recession. What the Troika imposed has established a vicious circle in which the weakest groups in the society pay the highest price.”
He underlined EI Region is opposed to the Troika “requiring that all national and sectoral collective agreements be cancelled and that no more would ever be implemented, both in the public and private sector, paving the way for any type of work contract to be set through individual negotiation between the worker and the employer. We demand and will see to it that national, European and international authorities fully respect Greek workers’ trade union rights, such as collective bargaining.”09.02.12
09.02.12
