(April 26) The European Federation of Public Services Unions (EPSU) will be participating in the upcoming 12th ETUC congress in Athens that has the slogan "Mobilising for Social Europe"

The 12th Congress of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) will take place in Athens on the 16-19 May 2011. The event is a crucial step in the development of the European trade union movements strategy for more employment and quality jobs, equality and social justice, in the context of a deep financial, economic and social crisis which is far from over .

The ETUC has expressed its rejection for the policy of austerity adopted by European governments and endorsed by the European Commission, EPSU has responded to each appeal by the ETUC with a vigorous mobilisation.

We have mobilised, again and again because the policies proposed are hitting European workers, through a wide scale reduction of wages, public services and workers’ rights. Moreover European economic governance, both in theory and as it is being put into practice by the European Commission, is making the living and working conditions of workers worse by directly attacking wages and the autonomy of collective bargaining. This is one of the reasons that European trade unions have taken to the streets on several occasions in recent months. As you know EPSU participated at this event.

The ETUC Congress will bring together leaders of trade unions from all European countries to elaborate a strategy and action plan to address these and other urgent issues being faced. Congress will also elect the new ETUC General Secretary who will lead the confederation for the next four years. The event has a dedicated internet site: ->http://www.etuc.org/congress2011] which provides details of the agenda, round table debates, documents and practical information (venue, facilities etc)

The website will also provide audiovisual coverage of the congress with a photo gallery, videoclips and a web-TV with live broadcasts from congress.

A press conference has been scheduled for the 12th of May in Athens to brief journalists about the congress and the ETUC’s priorities

EPSU is the biggest European Federation of the ETUC and it will playing its role contributing to the right statregy for the European Trade Union movement.

16 - 19 May 2011, Athens

 ETUC Congress website

 Meeting documents for our members only