No to austerity! Yes to Social Europe!

(14 April 2011) The European Federation of Public Services Unions (EPSU), supported by the European Trade Union Congress (ETUC) is organising a protest to mark our opposition to the far reaching economic government proposals of the Commission

EPSU and ETUC continue the “No to Austerity” campaign that started with the successful demonstrations in Brussels 29 September. The following step of the campaign was on December 15 2010.

Also, on 24 March 2011 more than 30.000 people marched in Brussles.

Last but not least, in Budapest on 9 April more than 50.000 people marched against these proposals. They have all said "No to Austerity!" and demanded a Social Europe.

The protest is organised on the eve of the European Parliament’s key ECON Committee vote on the Commission Economic Governance package. According to EPSU the proposals are not balanced. The focus is on slashing public budgets and on measures that will endanger the autonomy of the social partners and hence European workers wages.

The Euro-Pact Plus that challenges indexation systems, amongst other things, is the consequences of these proposals. And as the working conditions deteriorate and funding for public services and infrastructure is taken away, the quality of our services will be effected with closures as a consequence. We do not want this.

Jan Willem Goudriaan, EPSU Deputy General Secretary, said "We defend quality public services, jobs and the autonomy of social partners. We stand with public sector workers, nurses, fire fighters, teachers, tax inspectors, childcare workers, librarians and many millions that are under attack in Europe. We do not believe that the proposals are positive for workers in Europe".

EPSU rejects the attack on Social Europe. We are asking MEPs to reject this attack and amend the legislation to ensure positive and balanced policies are possible. We are also inviting them to come out to protest with us.

The action will take place on 18 April, 12.30 at the European Parliament (at Place du Luxembourg).

For more information: Pablo Sanchez, [email protected], 00 32 4 74 62 66 33