(24 November, Brussels) At its last Executive Committee on 13/14 October 2010, the ETUC agreed to continue its campaign No to Austerity that started with the successful demonstration in Brussels 29 September. It decided on several points: a bonus watch, an austerity monitor and to organise decentralised actions before the end of the year.

The EPSU Executive Committee meeting on 8-9 November decided to support these actions proposed by the ETUC. EPSU will be organising a protest outside the two main European Union institutions: European Council and the Commission on the eve of the last Council of the EU on 15 December. The action will have a huge banner, the EPSU placards and with demonstrators showing red cards to the Council for supporting austerity as a way out of the crisis. The Economic Governance proposals will be discussed the day after. EPSU will campaign to secure changes to the legislation on economic governance including removal of the proposed automaticity of sanctions; introduction of a significant role for the social partners and much greater involvement of the European parliament; and a shift in focus from co-ordination in fiscal consolidation to co-ordination to ensure a European wide economic recovery.

In that sense our slogans are still:

 Against the cuts in public spending
 Against job cuts in the public sector
 For jobs and employment
 For decent healthcare and pensions for all!

The main aim is to condemn the austerity packages both inside and outside the EU and to remind the audience of the reasons for public spending.

In some countries (Spain, Greece, etc.) actions are foreseen for 15 December, to know more about please check the ETUC site. EPSU will be organising a Press conference at the end of the event that will take place at Rond Point Schuman.

For more information please contact:

Pablo Sanchez, psanchez epsu.org; 00 32 4 74 62 66 33 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              00 32 4 74 62 66 33      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

For the press release and the circular letter click HERE