Why?

In the current negotiations to devise a new Constitutional Treaty, there are already indications that the Charter of Fundamental Rights (including the right to organise and to strike) will be ignored and not made binding on Member States. The ETUC has campaigned for the incorporation of the Charter in EU treaties for many years (including holding demonstrations in Nice and Laeken, Brussels). We were successful in the Convention which drew up the present draft Constitutional Treaty. That success is now at risk.

On the eve of the European summit taking place on 21-22 June 2007, the ETUC is therefore going on the offensive and warns that if the outcome is the relegation of the Charter, the ETUC will campaign against any new treaty (an emergency statement adopted by the ETUC Congress on May 24 is attached).

Where & When?

Place of assembly: Rond-Point Schuman - Petite Rue de la Loi at 11:30. There will be a mass assembly of European trade unionists, and a delegation of union leaders will meet the President of the European Commission to present the ETUC’s case.

For more information please contact:
Daniele Melli
Département de la Presse et de la Communication / Press and Communication Department
Confédération européenne des syndicats (CES) / European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
Bd du Roi Albert II, 5
B-1210 Bruxelles
Tel:+32 (0) 2 224 04 31
Fax:+32 (0) 2 224 04 33