Labour related news
EMPLOYMENT PACKAGE: LABOUR MARKET REFORMS WILL NOT CREATE NEW JOBS AND RELAUNCH ECONOMY
Today, the Commission published its Employment Package. Whilst its Communication ‘Towards a jobs-rich recovery’ rightly puts the focus on the daunting challenge of tackling high and persistent unemployment across Europe, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has major reservations about its ability to deliver.
Release of SPMK President, Hasan Abazi
.News has reached the EMF that Hasan has now been released. He conveyed his thanks for the help and solidarity messages he received during his incarceration. The EMF also sends thanks to its affiliates for their involvement and pressure with regards to getting Hasan out of jail.
THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL PARTNERS: “FOCUSING ON YOUTH AND EMPLOYMENT IS THE TOP PRIORITY FOR THE COMING YEARS”
BUSINESSEUROPE, ETUC (and the liaison committee EUROCADRES/CEC), CEEP and UEAPME, are committed to jointly address youth and employment, as two of the main activities of their new work programme 2012-2014
The 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.
FURTHER MOBILISATION TO SAFEGUARD ARCELORMITTAL SITES
EMF affiliates FI CC.00 and MCA-UGT in Spain and FIM-CISL, FIOM-CGIL and UILM in Italy are also using today’s European Trade Union Action Day to mobilise on ArcelorMittal . The Italian and Spanish unions are calling for government and political intervention in favour of a coordinated and coherent industrial strategy to maintain the steel sector at national and European level. They are highlighting the current behaviour and strategy of ArcelorMittal and call on management to provide guarantees to safeguard production and jobs at sites in their respective countries. The unions confirm their readiness to take further action.
Belgian unions and IG Metall condemn private militia action against workers at Meister Sprimont
Belgian unions ACV-CSC Metea and MWB-FGTB, together with our German affiliate IG Metall, have strongly condemned the violent anti-trade union action at the German company Meister in Sprimont (B) last Sunday. After a week of protest action by the workforce against the decision to relocate to the Czech Republic, employees were faced with a terrifying raid by well-armed German “security agents” to remove equipment/material from the Belgian subsidiary. Luckily, the unions managed to block the trucks and get the police to intervene. The Belgian unions clearly want no part of this kind of « social dialogue » and firmly condemn the violence with which the workers were confronted. Alerted to the situation by the Belgian unions, IG Metall immediately intervened with the mother company, Poppe + Potthof, calling for sanctions against those responsible and relayed the information to the German press.
Successful end to Electrolux strike in Romania
After a 20-day strike the workers at the Satu Mare plant went back to work on 21 February after management agreed to most of their demands. These included a wage increase and negotiation of a new collective agreement providing for more advantages (e.g. bonuses and overtime pay), facilities for carrying out trade union duties and better protection (e.g. severance pay) than that provided by legislation alone. The local unions expressed their thanks for all the support and expressions of solidarity they received. .
GREECE: BAILOUT COMES WITH DRASTIC CONDITIONS FOR THE POPULATION
The new € 237 billion rescue plan for Greece does admittedly save the country from defaulting on its payment, but it does nothing to resolve definitively and positively the plight of Greece’citizens and workers. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) regrets that this aid has beengranted at the price of an unbearable burden on the Greek population.
Joint statement of the European Metalworkers’ Federation, the European Employee Forum and the European trade unions on the Opel/Vauxhall business result 2011
Opel/Vauxhall has reached a considerably better result in 2011 than in the previous year.
In 2010 GM presented a loss of 2 billion dollars for its European business. According to the figures published today, the business result was improved to 0.7 billion dollars loss in 2011. Thus the result is 1.3 billion dollars better than in the previous year.
Huge success of the call to action by CCOO and UGT against the Spanish Government’s labour reforms
Organised jointly by CCOO and UGT on 19 February, some 57 cities throughout Spain have witnessed demonstrations against the labour reform with more than 1,800,000 demonstrators demonstrating on the streets. The labour reform represents the biggest attack on labour rights since the restoration of democracy in Spain. The Spanish unions have called for further demonstrations and protests on 29 February, coinciding with the ETUC European Day of Action .
No EU-Columbia Free Trade Agreement until Labour and Human Rights are Protected
European and international trade union organisations send letter to the European Parliament on alarming situation regarding the planned FTA with Columbia
"EMCEF and EMF, together with their sister organisations on global level, ICEM and IMF, representing 40 million workers worldwide are following with concern present discussions towards establishing a FTA between the EU and Columbia."
Read the joint leaflet in full:
THE ETUC SUPPORTS THE GENERAL STRIKE IN GREECE AGAINST TIGHTER AUSTERITY MEASURES
The Steering Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), meeting today, expressed support for the general strike being held today under the leadership of the GSEE and ADEDY, the two Greek trade union organisations affiliated to the ETUC. The strike was decided on following the new budget austerity measures demanded by Greece's creditors (the European Union and the International Monetary Fund).
COUNCIL FAILS TO DEAL WITH SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND JOBS
The informal summit of 30th January 2012 was promoted as a summit on growth and employment. But it did not deliver this. The summit ended with the announced "fiscal compact" and a bland and inconsequential declaration on growth and jobs, with no commitment, only empty words. Political leaders show us a way leading to a dead end.
Violations of workers' and trade union rights at Crown Cork Osmaniye, Turkey - EMF Support and Call for Solidarity
The EMF has written to the CEO of Crown Cork Turkey in protest at a totally unacceptable situation regarding the violation of workers’ rights and managerial behaviour at the company’s Osmaniya site.
The EESC issues statement on the draft conclusion of an international treaty in the run up to EU Summit
In a short statement issued last week the EESC Workers' Group takes stock of the economic situation and lays down a series of demands, ahead of the EU Summit, that it deems necessary to curb speculation and set the economy on the right course. The group expresses solidarity with the Belgian unions in their industrial actions and supports the declaration adopted by the ETUC's Executive Committee.
IF Metall’s President Stefan Löfven to lead the Swedish Social Democratic Party
Yesterday, the IF Metall President Stefan Löfven was proposed as the new leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party.
“With his very long and solid background in the trade union movement, Stefan will be an excellent leader of the Social Democratic Party. He has the power that can give stability and strength to our party”,says Anders Ferbe, IF Metall Vice-President.
The formal election by the party is due to take place today.
Unitary trade union strike in Italy
A successful 3-hour strike organised by the EMF’s three Italian affiliates FIOM-CGIL, FIM-CISL and UILM took place on 12 December. The unions were protesting against social injustice and attacks on workers’ rights. They also demanded an effective industrial policy to safeguard employment.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! EUROPEAN WORKERS FIGHT AGAINST AUSTERITY AND FOR A BETTER AND FAIRER FUTURE
French version here
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) supports actions organised at national level by its affiliates to fight against austerity and for a fairer and better future.
Social Europe - Delay regarding the Posting of Workers and Monti II
The publication of proposals initially seen for 20 December on Posting and Monti II (a regulation to clarify the exercise of freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services alongside fundamental social rights, including the right to take collective action) has been postponed until end January/beginning of February 2012. EMF is taking part in the ETUC working group which is currently preparing a draft Resolution on these issues for the ETUC December Executive.
European Social Partners launch negotiations on working time
European social partners sent a letter to Commissioner László Andor informing him that further to the Commission consultation on reviewing the working time directive they will open negotiations.
Resolution adopted by the IG Metall Congress in Karlsruhe, 12 October 2011
“Karlsruher Signal” - A Change of Direction for Europe
Europe - once initiated by several generations as a major project for peace and wealth - is now kept hostage by banks and other financial market players.
Read the full article here.
EMF Steel Committee adopt Piombino Declaration
The EMF Steel Committee in a statutory meeting in Piombino, Italy agreed on the following statement:
The EMF Steel Committee, Piombino November 8, 2011
The European steel industry is facing enormous challenges. The threat of restructuring, relocations, plant closures and downsizing is all too real. In addition, the regulatory conditions are compounding the problem.
Successful outcome to strike of managerial, engineering and professional workers in Finland's technology industry
Late in the evening 6 November the strike committee met with the National Concilator. TEK and UIL who initiated the strike over a pay dispute obtained the wage increase they have been demanding. Although no agreement was reached on pay for travel outside working hours, TEK and UIL are happy wih the result and the good cooperation they enjoyed with other Finnish, national and European unions.
Unite the Union fights back against Honda management's attempts to erase trade union activities (Swindon)
At its Swindon plant in the UK, Honda management is attempting to reduce trade union presence. It had gone as far as applying for derecognition of the trade union through the Central Arbitration Committee, which was thrown out of court.
In addition, management suspended the site senior union representative, now removed from his position since July.
Unite leadership is in contact with Honda management to make sure a quick and fair solution is found to this attack on trade union rights.
Solidarity with the workers at Fiat S.p.A in Termini Imerese and Irisbus
Solidarity address
The employees of FIAT in Termini Imerese (Italy) have been fighting for months for possible alternatives to the closure of their plant. However, FIAT has maintained its plans and the plant closure is scheduled for 31st December 2011. 2,500 employees will be directly or indirectly affected by this decision.
French unions join forces in a collective rally outside ArcelorMittal offices in Florange
Updated 26th September
Last Friday, 23rd September a number of French unions joined forces to condemn ArcelorMittal's decision to halt its packaging activities and liquid steel production at its French site in Florange. The measure, which would affect more than 1000 workers, was denounced at a joint rally in front of ArcelorMittal Florange organised and attended by CFDT, FO Métaux, CGT and CFE CGC unionists.
Read the joint tract in FR
Hungarian Metalworkers' Federation Vasas take to the street in opposition against proposed labour law 'amendments'
VASAS informed the EMF of its concern over the 'reformed' draft labour code the Hungarian government is currently drawing up.
VASAS rejects the proposed legislation as it would pose a serious threat to the basic rights of Hungarian workers and their social protection. Furthermore the proposed "amendments" would be incompatible with, as well as being below the social standards laid down in the European Social Charter.
EMF urge management of GDS Group to reinstate dismissed Romanian trade union leader at site in Arad
EMF launches solidarity action and calls for European affiliates for support:
The EMF has contacted Giovanni Cariolato, President and CEO of the GDS group (specialises in electronics design and manufacturing) and Eveljn Vendramini, Deputy GDS CEO by letter to express its indignation and concern over the dismissal - in the middle of negotiations on a collective agreement - of a Romanian trade union leader.
Protest Letters below plus EMF call for solidarity (EN, FR, DE)
ArcelorMittal H&S Report
ArcelorMittal, IMF and EMF have produced a report “Together for Safety, Global Agreement, Local Impact”, which reviews how unions and management have been working together globally to deliver better safety results for ArcelorMittal since signing a ground-breaking agreement on occupational health and safety in 2008. The report indicates that there has been a marked reduction in the number of accidents and particularly fatal accidents and that the Joint Global Health and Safety Committee (JGHSC) has set a new benchmark in steel.
Birlesik plan protest action following continued abuse of trade union and basic workers' rights at MAS-DAF
Since April, more than 110 workers who were illegally fired after joining Birleşik Metal-İş have been holding pickets outside of the MAS-DAF Makina Sanayi factory in Düzce demanding their legitimate right to reinstatement.
MAS-DAF workers are planning to hold protest rallies in front of the ILO Office in Ankara on July 28 and in front of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on July 29.
MAS-DAF workers are fighting for reinstatement after being summarily fired for joining the Turkish union, Birleşik Metal-İş. In addtion they are protesting against being detained by police forces attempting to stop the union’s second round of actions to force the government to intervene.
Final conference European Steel Council Project
Presentations given during the conference and minutes now availble here. Report to follow shortly.
Final conference of the joint EMF/EUROFER EU project “Towards a European steel council on jobs and skills? Identifying the actors”.
Brussels, 15th July 2011
The main objective of the project is to identify the existing structures in each Member State including those organisations active at national and sub-national levels, such as education and training institutions and public authorities responsible for the steel sector.
The final conference aims at presenting results of the project and to assess the possibility to create formal EU sector council on jobs and skills for the European steel industry.
Fair trade in the telecoms industry
The European telecoms industry is facing notably fierce competition from China and a lack of a level playing field. This industry is indispensable for Europe in order to meet the ambitious employment, R&D and innovation objectives set out in the EU2020 Strategy.
We fear that if no action is taken by the EU and its Member States, this European industry risks to disappear. This will imply significant job losses and also a competitiveness loss, with far reaching implications whose impact on EU’s economy and security should not be underestimated.
This document analyses the different issues at stake and it leads us to the inescapable conclusion that action by the EU and Member States is urgently needed.
Global Day of Action
22 June 2011
The Global Day of Action on the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) takes place on 22 June.
EU Finance ministers will be meeting on the 15 June and European Council will be meeting on 23-24 June. This will be a key moment in the campaigning calender to influence decision makers ahead of the G20 in November.
No to austerity governance
Yes to a social European Union based on solidarity
ETUC demonstration in Luxemburg City on 21 June 2011
Governing Europe means giving higher priority to employment and social justice.
Governing Europe also means refusing precarious employment and competitive wage reductions.
We are calling for an urgent change of tack in favour of a social Europe and a new
model of economic governance: European governance which is fair and based on solidarity, and ensures some genuine economic recovery policies.
IF Metall Congress takes off in Stockholm
EMF affiliated organisation IF Metall organises its second congress on 17-20 June 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden. 300 delegates are expected to attend the congress, out of which 30% are women.
The congress aims at taking decisions on three main work plans for the coming years. These are
- our society and solidarity
- our work places and the development of sustaionable jobs
- our organisation and membership
These work plans have been developed by Swedish local and regional IF Metall members.
IBM 100 years - time for workers' rights
On IBM’s 100th birthday, workers ask the company to respect their rights
To mark IBM’s 100th birthday, IBM trade union members have produced a happy birthday video, in which they tell the company it should treat its workers better in its next century.
Global Action Day on 14 June 2011!
Unions in Motion - EMF Film Festival
10-11 June 2011 at Landschaftspark Nord in Duisburg, Germany
'Trade unions using audiovisual tools to illustrate the challenges of a changing society and industry as well as the need to safeguard jobs and a future for all workers.'
Motion graphics and programme in English, German and French are available now!
Peter Scherrer awarded Heart of trade union solidarity
Today Peter Scherrer, General Secretary of the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF), received the ‘Heart of trade union solidarity’ Award.
The award was presented to him by the Presidency of the Council of UATUC/Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia (SMH-IS) at the EMF Congress, which is currently held in Duisburg, Germany. Peter Scherrer is the first non-Croatian metalworker to receive the award.
Vedran Dragicevic, SMH-IS President and Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary
Cool communications for unions in change
The Swedish trade union confederation TCO has through its Forum Facket Förändras (the trade union is changing) developed a range of state of the art communication tools with the purpose of showing the value of being a trade union member.
The Forum was launched in 2007 and received thousands of suggestions on how trade unions can be developed.
Violations of Workers’ Rights at MAS DAF in Turkey
The EMF and IMF have today sent a letter to management at MAS DAF Makina Sanayi in Turkey regarding continued serious violations of internationally recognized labour rights at the operations in the Duzce Organized Industrial Zone in Turkey.
The EMF and IMF approached management in October 2010 but labour violations continue.
Social partner participation in the ICT industry
Article in the Social Europe Journal
Modernising industrial relations and adopting new social standards on a legal basis.
The European information and communication technology (ICT) industry is largely based on service providers and less on manufacturing companies. In the past years trade unions have witnessed structural changes in the sector, including an increasing prevalence of outsourcing with its consequences for the European workforce. In addition, the industry is facing numerous challenges to maintain competitiveness and at the same time it is recognised as comprising significant cross-sectoral factors bearing on the European industrial base as a whole.
Industrial relations from a gender perspective
The EMF is contributing to a project on European industrial relations from a gender perspective. It is managed by Uppsala University in Sweden and is financed by the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research.
Frűhschoppen zum Europatag
Sonntag, 08. Mai 2011, Lichthof im Künstlerhaus, Hannover
Gute Arbeit und soziale Gerechtigkeit mit Europa
Global call for sustainable electronics
It is hard to imagine a world without electronics - mobile phones, lap tops, tablets and all the rest. We all use them on a daily basis, at work and at home. Electronics have improved our lives in many ways and also provided work for many people in developing countries and also here at home.
In the drive to keep costs low and incomes high the workers pay the price through low salaries and basically non existent labour rights and conditions. It is time to say stop - make electronics work for workers!
On 7 May 2011 makeITfair and GoodElectronics, organisations that the EMF supports actively, have joined hands in an international action day focusing on giant electronics contract manufacturers.
Global IBM trade union alliance signed
On 6 May 2011 the EMF, IMF and Uni Global Union signed a joint global agreement on a trade union alliance at IBM.
As IBM has set itself up as a truly global company so have trade unions to set up as a truly global alliance cooperating to the maximum extent for the benefit of their members and IBM employees. The EMF will coordinate the cooperation with the members of the IBM European Works Council.
State Aid for the European shipbuilding industry
In line with its policy to involve local civil society, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is holding a public hearing in Gdansk on 18 April 2011.
The EMF will be represented by Miroslaw Piorek (Solidarnosc, member of the EMF shipbuilding committee) to highlight the situation in the Polish shipbuilding industry and Ruud van den Bergh (member of the EMF shipbuilding committee and chairman of the EU shipbuilding social dialogue committee).
60th anniversary of German Codetermination Act
60 years ago, on 10 April 1951, the German Bundestag passed an important law, "Montanmitbestimmungsgesetz" (parity co-determination for workers in the coal and steel sectors).
It constituted a compromise to a long and hard political struggle at the beginning of the fifties when Germany was on the verge of a general strike.
Engineering construction lock out
GMB, UK Protest & Demo on Monday 4 April 2011 at Hull BP construction site, where 430 workers are locked out.
GMB call on BP, Du Point and British Sugar to join with unions in order get engineering construction members back to work on £200m bio fuel ethanol plant at Saltend, Hull.
First Copernicus Workshop
The first EMF Copernicus Project Workshop took place on 4-5 April 2011 in Brussels.
The specific focus of this 1st workshop was on sector activities in Southern and Western Europe.
Meeting documents available here.
Turkey: Mass strike against MESS
Birlesik Metal-Is in Turkey has decided to go on strike in 21 companies after a conflict with MESS (Metal Employers' Federation). The strike takes pace during March and April in several companies around the country.
Libya: Halt the killing and let the people freely express themselves now
The European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) is following the situation in North Africa and the Middle-East closely, as the people across the region make a welcome call for deep change and for the full respect of their political, social and economic rights.
We stand with them against dictatorships and support their call for democratic participation.
EU-China investment agreement
The EMF has prepared an opinion on the European Commission impact assessment on a future EU-China investment agreement.
Unite sends messages of solidarity to the workers of Japan
Len McCluskey, Unite General Secretary has sent a video message expressing his deep shock and sadness at the catastrophe that has taken place in Japan.
Launch event of the Social Innovation Europe initiative
16-17 March 2011, Brussels
The "Social Innovation Europe" initiative is supported by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry. It aims to become a meeting place – virtual and real – for social innovators, entrepreneurs, non-profit organisations, policy makers and anyone else who is inspired by social innovation in Europe.
ICEM, IMF, Norwegian Unions Sign Global Social Accord with Norsk Hydro
Today the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine, and General Workers’ Union (ICEM), the International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) and their Norwegian affiliated trade unions, Fellesforbundet and IndustriEnergi (IE) signed a Global Framework Agreement (GFA) with Norsk Hydro ASA in Oslo.
The agreements covers provisions of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, discrimination, forced labour, child labour, health and safety, wages, working conditions, employment conditions, skills training, HIV/AIDS, and environmental conditions, referencing the standards established by the core labour conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Solidarity with the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia
The EMF expresses its full solidarity and support with the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia against the Slovenian Government's determination to enforce a new form of work, which will substantially reduce workers’ rights and increase precarious work.
EMF letter of condolences to colleagues in Japan
The EMF expresses its deepest sympathy to the members of the Japan Council of Metalworkers' Unions with respect to the earthquake and associated catastrophic events that have happened in Japan in the past few days.
Johnson Matthey’s workers will not be silenced
Joint press release from the Belgian unions (CNE, ACV-CSC Metea, MWB-FGTB and SETCa). Version française ci-dessous.
Since the announcement by the group management on 31 January of their intention to close the Brussels plant, the workers of Johnston Matthey have not accepted their fate passively.
Demonstration in Brussels on 14 March 2011.
Acindar sets benchmark for the rest of Latin America
The ArcelorMittal Joint Global Health and Safety Committee (JGHSC) met on 1-3 March at the Acindar Steel Plant in Argentina. The purpose of the visit was to see how the local joint health and safety committee function and also to carry out a site visit.
The plant produces 90 per cent of Argentina’s long product consumption and has 2675 direct employees. There are two unions present; ASIMRA and UOM and between them the union density is 85 per cent of the workforce.
IG Metall kündigt betrieblichen Aktionstag für „sichere und faire Arbeit“ an
Die IG Metall hat für den 24. Februar einen bundesweiten, betrieblichen Aktionstag gegen Leiharbeit und prekäre Beschäftigung angekündigt.
„Arbeit ist der wertvollste Rohstoff, den Deutschland besitzt. Arbeit darf nicht zur Ramschware verkommen“, sagte Berthold Huber, Erster Vorsitzender der IG Metall, am Donnerstag in Frankfurt.
Wer Leiharbeit und prekäre Beschäftigung fördere oder zulasse, untergrabe daneben massenhaft persönliche Lebensperspektiven. Die IG Metall werde deshalb in den Betrieben ein deutliches Zeichen gegen diesen Trend setzen. „Arbeit muss sicher und fair sein.“
Hearing on intra-corporate transferees
On 23 February 2011 the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels held a hearing on the issue of intra-corporate transferees (ICT): conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals (countries outside of the EU).
The European Institutions and the social partners, including the ETUC, EMF, EFFAT, Eurocadres and Business Europe attended the hearing.
Violations of Workers’ Rights at Tecasa Isi Kontrol As. in Turkey
The EMF and IMF have sent a joint letter to management at Tecasa Isi Kontrol As. in Turkey after reports from affiliated organisation Birlesik Metal-Is of ongoing labour violations.
First trade union coordination meeting on takeover of Draka by cable-manufacturer Prysmian
On February 16th trade union representatives of Draka and Prysmian met in Brussels to talk about the takeover. Prysmian and Draka are both leading cable & system manufacturers, 3rd and 9th respectively in the global ranking.
Demonstration in Kocaeli, Turkey
A demonstration in Kocaeli, Turkey, located about 1 hour from Istanbul, took place today. It was organised by EMF affiliated organisation Birlesik Metal-Is.
En defensa del Derecho a la Libertad Sindical en Mexico
MCA-UGT & FI/CC.OO. Mexico Campaign in Spain.
On 11 February both MCA-UGT and FI/CC.OO. met the Ambassador of Mexico in Spain. The embassy was receptive to the trade union demands and was willing to convey these along with the "manifesto" of both Federations (see below attached) to the Mexican Government and that the unions can expect feed-back.
Europe at a crossroads: Spanish-German trade union statement on austerity
Statement issued by the major trade union centres of Spain and Germany — CC.OO., UGT and DGB — on the occasion of the Spanish-German Summit that took place on 3 February in Madrid.
The statement criticizes the austerity and structural reform policies promoted by EU institutions since they will only impede the recovery and increase inequality.
No to austerity! Priority for jobs and growth. The campaign continues.
European Council Conclusions on Belarus
As expected, the Council of the European Union considered carefully and with respect to further possible positive developments, some measures towards the President and the government of the Republic of Belarus condemning the infringement of human rights in general and individual rights in particular, such as the freedom of expression, freedom of none-interfered gatherings, freedom of none-interfered elections and freedom personal invulnerability.
Global unemployment has reached dangerous levels, ILO report shows
ILO data provides an alarming picture of joblessness, especially among the young, that surely threatens more political instability.
Eramus for Trade Unionists - Final Conference
Brussels, January 26th
Who: 24 trainees + their tutors, 18 sending and 27 receiving organisations from across Europe
The final conference of the project "Towards an Erasmus for Trade Union Officers" was organised by the members of the EMF Staff Networking Policy Group in partnership with the ETUC. This project has enabled 24 students from 18 different organisations to complete an internship in one of 27 hosting organisations.
EMF Youth Officers meeting
Brussels, 25 January 2011
The next meeting for EMF youth officers will discuss the upcoming EMF Congress and the opportunities for youth officers to impact the agenda. The EMF would like to encourage its affiliates to include young people in their Congress delegations.
Sinter Metal appeals to upper court
Following the legal victory of Sinter Metal workers on December 13th and 15th 2010 Sinter Metal has appealed against this decision in the upper court.
In December the Turkish Court declared that the reason behind the dismissals was the workers’ trade union membership and that the workers have to be reinstated.
The workers’ and their union, Birlesik Metal-Is are now waiting for the decision of the upper court, which will be final decision in the process that has taken over two years.
Ireland: Wage setting mechanisms for low-paid sectors
This Union has become aware that the European Commission is involved in discussions with the Irish Government to influence a review of wage-setting mechanisms for certain low-paid sectors of the Irish economy. Workers employed in these industries are not highly unionised and would generally not be covered by collective bargaining agreements, e.g. Cleaners, Catering Operatives, Hotel Staff, Hairdressers, Security Guards.
EU employment strategy to focus on youth
At the informal meeting of Employment Ministers on 17 January in Gödöllö (Hungary), the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomed the new employment strategy aimed at creating more quality jobs, respecting labour standards and social rights.
Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Metal
Report from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
This report sets out to provide the necessary information for evaluating sectoral social dialogue in the metal industry.
EU-IMF rescue packages: Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining are under attack
In a letter sent today to EU Commissioner Olli Rehn, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) denounces the diktat pressures from Commission officials to cut minimum wages and pensions, to reduce wage “rigidities” and to make labour markets more flexible in Greece and Ireland.
John Monks, ETUC General Secretary, demands an emergency meeting with Mr Rehn to clarify matters, and warns that ETUC will find it impossible to support action by the EU along these lines.
Solidarity
In the section Solidarity, the EMF posts letters of solidarity from trade unions in Europe and around the world.
