The European trade union demonstration illustrated the resolve of Europe’s workers to oppose the ultra-liberal project to dismantle workers’ protection and public services. More then 3000 workers marched through Brussels and offered petitions to the Belgian employment Minister and the President of the Council of Ministers. Delegates came from many countries and many sectors, principally building and woodworkers and public services. The picture shows EPSU General Secretary with Josef Niemiec of ETUC and Ieke van den Burg, who was one of many MEPs marching with the unions (25 November 2004).

10 reasons why the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) says NO to the proposed directive on services in the internal market

1. Citizens want a “balanced” Europe
2. Promises have not been kept: the draft Directive cuts short the debate on services of general interest
3. The proposal is not balanced
4. Public services standards, good employment conditions, collective agreements - these are gateways, not barriers, to quality
5. Quality: the missing ingredient
6. Services of general interest must not become a ghetto
7. ‘Economic’ or ‘non-economic’ is not the point
8. Public and private providers are not equal
9. The ECJ’s case law should not be the sole source of inspiration
10. Solidarity and subsidiarity are needed

for full text and language versions

Solidarity letter from UGT, Spain

Solidarity letter from CGIL, Italy