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Newsletter 14 October 2010

Mobilisations continue in the eve of Euro demonstration

(14 October 2010) With the successful demonstration in Brussels on 29 September, the trade unions have had another landmark in the mobilisations against austerity packages and cuts in public services. This was followed up with the World Day of Decent Work that the ITUC celebrates on 7 October. Many trade unions across Europe used this continuing our strikes and demonstrations: affiliates mobilised in France, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, etc. You can read some of the news and solidarity messages in this newsletter. And it is not just demonstrating, we are also proposing alternatives to the austerity plans of the European Commission and the member states, amongst our proposals we highlight the Financial Transaction Tax (read more)

Municipal Waste Europe and EPSU joint letter on concessions: no need

(13 October 2010) EPSU and Municipal Waste Europe agreed a joint approach towards the Commission arguing that there is no need for a new Directive on concessions. The European Commission intends to publish an initiative, but the organizations argue that the case is not made for such a directive, that the process of consultation is still ongoing and that no impact assessment is made. Also the European Parliament has been cautious on such an approach. Joint letter: Joint letter on (...)

Electricity social partners ask MEPs to support skills and qualifications in new EU Energy policy

(13 October 2010) The social dialogue committee decided to address the MEPs asking for their support to put skills and qualifications high on the agenda of DG Energy. The employers and unions note that a shortage of skills is emerging which the Commission should seek to respond to, together with the social partners. Amendments have been proposed in the EP to this effect to the report (Kolarka-Bobinska). EU Energy Policy 2011-2020: Joint position of the social partners in the electricity (...)

Romanians protesters make Romanian minister resign

(11 October 2010) On the 22 September around 10,000 protesters from across the country, most of them members of Fratia Confederation, gathered in Bucharest. The participants were from the health, education, police, oil and gas sectors as well as other industrial sectors affiliated to CNSLR Frăţia. The protesters’ claims included a halt in the austerity measures pushed by the government, such as: the 25% wage cuts in the budget sector, massive layoffs, changes in the Labour Code restricting (...)

EPSU signs global call for action for Financial Transaction Taxes

Press Communication - 11 October 2010 The European Federation of Public Services Unions has signed the International Civil Society Statement to the G-20 Leaders Summit in Seoul on 11 and 12 November, to take action on the Financial Transaction Taxes (FTT). Carola Fischbach-Pyttel, EPSU General Secretary, says “The economic crisis has been hitting workers hard across Europe. Workers are at the frontline of attacks, mostly by Governments wanting to balance their books. As representatives of (...)

EPSU extends solidarity with unions in France and Slovenia

Our Slovenian colleagues of SDE have called for strike action in 12 October unless the government reaches agreement with the union over the reorganization of the distribution companies and protects jobs, employment and the integrity of the companies. Our French colleagues of CGT-FNME and FO-FNEM have called for a general strike in the French electricity and gas sector 12 October to protest against the plans of the government to increase the minimum pension age to 62 and the age by which (...)

Happy World Day for Decent Work!

Happy World Day for Decent Work! Today on the 7th of October, the trade union movement is mobilising to tackle the global economic and employment crisis and demand fundamental reform of the world economy! Please help us by reporting back on all your events. Make sure your event is registered online: www.wddw.org Send us pictures and/or videos, documents, links or any other relevant information, as soon as possible after the event (today!): to wddw ituc-csi.org Good luck! EPSU affiliates (...)

EPSU shows solidarity with Greek 24h General strike

(6 October 2010) ADEDY will strike tomorrow 7 October to protest against the measures of the Greek Government, backed by the European Commission and the IMF, that have been included in the draft of the national Budget for 2011. These new measures will translate in cuts in pensions, insurance rights, terms and conditions and downsizing of the public sector. The Greek trade union movement has been striking against the austerity measures of the Greek authorities for months. EPSU wishes to (...)