(10 March 2010) This week saw new twists and turns in the unfolding story of how neo-liberal politics have got back into full swing. It’s almost as if the financial and economic crisis hadn’t happened. Governments used public money to rescue banks but now seek to recoup that money from low and middle income earners, from thousands of public service workers providing essential services, from those who care for your children, the sick, the poor, the old, and the dying.
And the Barroso (...)
(March 09, 2010) An astounding 93% of voters reject unfair terms imposed by the governments of the UK and the Netherlands as Iceland takes the lead in following a democratic approach to handling the consequences of the crisis. (Please see statement by Ogmundur Jonasson below)
On 6 March, 2010, Icelanders did what no one in the world has done yet. Un-fazed by near-freezing weather and drizzle they went to the polls and let their government and the world know they will not be made to (...)
Europe’s unions fully support the general strike in Greece and ask Eurozone Ministers to go for realistic and socially acceptable plans.
ETUC/EPSU Joint Press Release, 23 February
Europe’s trade unions follow with great concern the situation in Greece and in particular the pressure by the Commission, the Eurozone Ministers and the European Central Bank (ECB) on the Greek government for harsher austerity. The Labour movement in Europe stands in full solidarity with Greek workers in their (...)
(15 February 2010) This ETUC discussion paper underlines clearly how the OECD, IMF and EU policies are ambushing on workers to force wages cuts, more flexible contracts and reduced public spending. And if they go after social protection, they go after those who defend that model, and that is those who have fought to obtain better protection and social regulation: workers and their (...)
“A clear message and not business as usual, is what we expect from the European Summit on the financial and economic crisis", says Jan Willem Goudriaan, EPSU Deputy General Secretary - Read the full article.
Unions in Greece, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland and Portugal take industrial action
(5 February 2010, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) is sending out a strong message of support to the tens of thousands of public sector workers who are taking action across Europe in defence of strong public services and decent pay, jobs and employment conditions (read our full article).
Central bankers and finance ministers worked hard to put pressure on Greece to cut its public deficit to set an example to other countries and strengthen their “case” against prudent government leaders which do not see an urgent need for very early exit (= cut public spending) strategies.
To read the ETUC economic discussion paper:
(16 December 2009) A large group of economists from many European countries develops each year a critique of the European economic policy as currently being pursued by the European Commission and Eurozone Ministers for Finance. The group has traditionally also defended public services. Many of its demands echo those of EPSU and ETUC. The group is called: European Economists for an Alternative Economic Policy in Europe or EuroMemorandum Group. This year Memorandum deals with the failure of (...)
(7 December 2009) A workers’side ILO seminar adopted conclusions which provide detailed suggested action for both ILO and trade unions was worked through an inclusive process among the various participants: please find enclosed the English version.
We also attached a list of the several core conventions which can be useful references in discussions with employers and governments.
(12 November 2009) The European Commission is wrong when urging Member States to seek balanced budgets and to reduce public deficits in the course of one or two years following the major economic and financial crisis of 2008 and 2009.
This is the message of European public service union leaders when meeting in Brussels.
A cutting strategy has the real risk that economic recovery will be stopped even before it is well under way. The role of the International Monetary Fund draws criticism. (...)
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