ETUC launches a petition on public services
European Trade Unions set for coordinated push for a framework law
(30 November) The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has launched a Europe-wide petition calling on the European Commission to take action to protect and strengthen public services that are vital to the wellbeing of all European citizens.
Sign on at the dedicated campaign website here: www.petitionpublicservice.eu
The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) is set to play a central role in ensuring that the target of at least a million signatures, is reached. EPSU General Secretary Carola Fischbach-Pyttel praised this very public commitment to public services by the ETUC, stating that “this petition, and the strategy which underpins it, will be the bridge to EU citizens which shows that the European trade union movement is battling for their issues - good healthcare, schools and other essential services”. It will be wholly integrated into the EPSU ‘Quality public services - quality of life’ campaign (www.epsu.org/r/271).
At its’ last Executive Committee on 18-19 October, the ETUC adopted a strategy urging the European Commission to propose a framework directive to create a legal basis for vital services, ensuring that public interest takes precedence over commercial profit. “Services in the EU need a strong regulatory framework to ensure continuity of supply and fair access for everyone,” said ETUC General Secretary John Monks. “They must be of the highest standard, and therefore accountable to both consumers and workers in these crucial sectors.”
This initiative makes the latest high-profile call for a framework law, which promotes public services and gives them a solid legal standing at EU level.
Sources: www.etuc.org/a/3093
www.socialistgroup.eu/gpes/positionlist.do?lg=en
"EPSU is the European Federation of Public Service Unions. It is the largest federation of the ETUC and comprises 8 million public service workers from over 200 Public Service Unions in 36 countries. We organise workers in health and social services, local and national administration, energy, water and waste. We are the recognised European social partner organisation in each of these sectors. EPSU is committed to building a European Union that promotes democratically accountable public services of the highest quality, within and beyond it’s borders. For more information on EPSU and our work please go to: www.epsu.org"
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