What path for Europe's Unions?

#NewPathDemo Today the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is holding a demonstration in Brussels in support of a ’new path for Europe.’ Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary says that ‘Austerity is not working. Austerity has caused a mounting social and economic crisis: over 26 million Europeans are jobless, 10 million more than in 2008. This is why we demonstrate and demand a New Path for Europe, based on investments, quality jobs and equality. 
http://www.etuc.org/press/new-path-europe-fighting-investment-quality-jobs-equality-austerity-not-working#.Uz3E91pwbIU%E2%80%99

The quixotic demands of the ETUC

‘High noon for social Europe’ is the theme of the European Trade Union Confederation’s (ETUC) mid term conference which opened yesterday in Dublin, the graveyard of social partnership. ETUC General Secretary Bernadette Segol stated that ‘social Europe must be at the core of all economic decisions. Social Europe is not an optional appendage to economic governance, social Europe is part and parcel of economic governance.’

A Trade Union Yes to EU? Not at any Neo-Liberal price

Yesterday in his Bloomberg speech David Cameron set out a five point bottom line for renegotiation of the UK relationship with the EU, to be followed by an in-out referendum in 2018. Some senior Labour politicians argue that Cameron's stance is a distraction but in reality that's far from the case. His agenda for (acceleration of) neo liberal reform of the EU is a deadly serious threat to working people: http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/eu-speech-at-bloomberg/

A neo-liberal EU will collapse - Frances O'Grady

Yesterday's co-ordinated protest action across European Union member states was a resounding success particularly in Southern Europe where general strikes paralysed the economies and transport systems. In London a solidarity rally held outside the European Commission building was addressed by TUC General Secretary elect Frances O'Grady who said:
  'Those in the corridors of power in Brussels and Frankfurt need to understand this - that if ordinary European workers feel that the EU is about little more than cuts, open markets and privatisation, then the European project will collapse just as surely as night follows day. It's time for change, it's time for a workers' Europe. In place of austerity, we need policies that promote decent jobs, decent wages and decent services. In place of cuts, we need tax justice so the super-rich pay their fair share at long last. And in place of attacks on our rights, we need to get tough on the bankers who caused this mess.'
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-21660-f0.cfm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/nov/14/eurozone-crisis-general-strikes-protest-day-of-action

Across Europe workers say No to Austerity

#14N As the EU political elite and national governments impose ever harsher austerity measures on the working people of Europe, those bearing the brunt of pay cuts, jobs losses and tax rises are taking a stand today with co-ordinated strike actions and protests across several countries. General strikes and national stoppages are being held in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20320993

14 November 2012: European Day of Action and Solidarity

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is calling for a European Day of Action and Solidarity for employment and against austerity on 14 November.

French left demand a referendum on EU’s permanent austerity treaty

Tens of thousands of protestors marched through Paris yesterday in opposition to French ratification of the EU Fiscal Compact and in demand of a referendum. President Hollande had famously declared upon his May election that ‘Europe is watching us, austerity can no longer be the watchword’ but next week he is set to secure parliamentary approval for the treaty - negotiated by his conservative predecessor Sarkozy and German Chancellor Merkel - which the ETUC has condemned as ‘leading to permanent austerity’
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9577534/Francois-Hollande-faces-protest-over-fiscal-pact.html#

Permanent Austerity but Irish union centre sits on the fence

The EU fiscal treaty has been denounced by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) as ‘pressing on down the path of permanent automatic austerity’ and has been rejected in its present form by French Presidential front runner François Hollande, yet the Irish Congress of Trade unions (ICTU) will not be recommending that Irish workers vote No in next month’s referendum on the treaty:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0425/breaking17.html

ETUC denounces the adoption of the permanent austerity treaty

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) stresses that it opposes the new treaty which has just been signed by 25 countries at the European Summit. This treaty will impose even greater budgetary austerity in Europe and hamper the recovery in employment. The European trade union deplores the fact that growth and employment are not the focus of detailed commitment in the same way as budgetary rigour.

European Trade Union Day of Action - 29 February 2012

In the face of a worsening economic and social situation and the ever-tougher austerity measures being imposed by Europe's leaders as the only solution, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has called for a European day of action on 29 February, the eve of the European Council. Trade unions will mobilise across Europe to have jobs and social justice placed at the heart of political priorities.

ETUC holds Congress as Social Europe falls apart at the seams

The ETUC Congress, which is held every 4 years, opens today in Athens. Proceedings will be dominated by the austerity measures implemented by Governments across Europe which are all, regardless of their notional differences as conservatives, liberals or social democrats, committed to neo liberal policy prescriptions of draconian cuts in public services, pay, pensions and social security: http://www.etuc.org/a/8588

Unions protest against Anti-Social, Neo-Liberal EU

Over 40,000 trade unionists marched through central Budapest yesterday in a demonstration timed to coincide with a meeting of EU Finance Ministers. Organised by the ETUC to protest at the Europe wide austerity measures precipated by the banking crisis and related attacks on public services, pay and pensions. A far cry from the Social Europe once extolled by a western european trade union leadership schooled in co-determination, partnership and tripartitism:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20110409/tbs-tens-of-thousands-against-european-a-5268574.html

Mixed outcome of the vote in the European Parliament on the Maternity Protection Directive‏

“Although we welcome stronger protection for pregnant workers and working mothers, we are disappointed that the vote in the European Parliament on the Maternity Protection Directive would not lead to a fully paid maternity leave in all Member States” said John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

ETUC Day of Action - Newcastle Rally‏

Video of closing comments by Clare Williams UNISON Northern regional convenor: "The fight starts here" http://www.shakewellbeforeopening.org.uk/home/?p=273

Northern region mobilises against austerity‏

As part of a European Day of Protest against the imposition of savage economic policies hundreds of people took part in the Northern Public Services Alliance rally in Newcastle city centre at lunchtime yesterday. Trade union members from both public and private sector workplaces were joined with community voluntary groups, students, and the public to show their determination to campaign against the savage austerity measures being pursued by the Con Dem Coalition Government. This was part of a number of activities across the North East and Cumbria with local events in Durham, Carlisle, Sunderland, and a rally in Middlesbrough. The events attracted local media coverage: http://www.itv.com/tynetees/union-protest-at-cuts31868/

ETUC Demo a resounding success‏

“This day is a resounding success for European workers and a clear signal to the leaders of Europe: you can no longer merely listen to the market, you can no longer ignore the anger and concern of the workers said ETUC General Secretary John Monks as over 100,000 trade unionists assembled in Brussels in a mass protest at austerity measures being implemented across Europe. http://www.etuc.org/a/7700  Gerry Cowell, a UNISON young member from Eastern region, told the Morning Star "It is important for us all to unite to oppose cuts wherever and to make our protest locally, nationally and across Europe." http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/95860

There is an alternative

TUC Rally

UNISON regions and branches mounted a series of individual and joint union events across the country on yesterday's ETUC day of action against austerity cuts. Coinciding with the demo in Brussels, events were held in Newcastle, Scotland, Manchester, North Yorkshire, Northern Ireland and London among others. See details at http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=6363

Bick backs strikers in Spain

Past UNISON General Secretary Rodney Bickerstaffe joined pickets today in the Spanish General Strike.

Solid start to General Strike in Spain‏

Early reports from Spain indicate an overwhelming response to the general gtrike called in opposition to austerity measures introduced by the Zapatero-led Government. Unions started the general strike by marching through Madrid and other cities. The BBC reports that there has been mass picketing outside bus and metro stations since midnight.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11432579

News from Spain as strike under way ' today must, and will be a success'

From our Spanish correspondent: VIVA Éspana!
Today in Spain workers from actors to train drivers and all trades in between are taking part in a General strike. Even on the Costas British tourists have been advised that hotel kitchen and cleaning staff will not be available The CCOO and the UGT have coordinated the action in protest at the Spanish governments latest austerity plans that propose...