European trade unions met today, in Brussels, in a strong and coordinated response to the worsening economic and social situation.
On the initiative of the ETUC, a European day of action will be organised on 29 February, the eve of the European Council. European trade union organisations will carry out actions in their own country to bring attention to the gravity of the situation. Jobs and social justice can no longer be kept off the European agenda.
ETUC General Secretary Bernadette Ségol declared: "European trade unions are mobilising to say 'enough is enough'. Austerity measures are not the only answer to the crisis. On the contrary, they cause tremendous social damage. The draft international treaty that will be on the agenda of next week's summit reinforces austerity. Its sole objective is to reduce public deficits as much as possible, regardless of the social impact.
Europe cannot continue to impose measures that do not work, that plunge countries deeper into the crisis and impoverish more and more people. For the European trade unions, this treaty must include a strong social component. Balanced budgets are necessary but austerity alone exacerbates imbalances. A policy of stimulation of the economy through investments should be the solution of choice."
Pictures of the trade union assembly and press conference available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/etuc-ces