(17 December, 2008, Strasbourg) By overwhelming majority, the European Parliament has today voted to keep the working time directive strong. Under the expert stewardship of Socialist MEP Alejandro Cercas, the vote saw huge majorities on the three key points: a fair period in which to calculate the average working week; counting on-call time in the workplace as working time; and a phasing out of the opt-out from the directive. The margin of victory exceeded even the most optimistic predictions of proponents of a strong directive.

EPSU General Secretary Carola Fischbach-Pyttel stated that: “this vote is a victory for the European Parliament, a victory for public service workers and a victory for Social Europe.

On behalf of members of EPSU who are doctors, nurses, firefighters, and emergency workers, I want to thank Deputy Cercas, for standing up for their right to safe working conditions”.

She added that it was now up to the Council of Ministers to recognize the weight of this vote: “The democratic legitimacy of today’s vote is beyond question”.

Alejandro Cercas thanked the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) for its mobilizing efforts, and emphasized that: “this result is an opportunity – let us have conciliation with the Council that is real and respects the balance between work and family life”.

The key results were: 539 MEPs in favour on measures to reconcile work/family life; 421 MEPs in favour of ending the opt-out; and 533 in favour of recognizing on-call time in the work place as working time”.

Council and Parliament will have until the start of March to reach agreement, under the conciliation procedure.