Press communication - Brussels, May 6 The first up and running European Citizens Initiative (ECI) – Water is a Human Right – has collected over 1.5 million signatures across Europe, and continues counting. 8 countries have passed the minimum number of signatures required. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Slovenia. (...)

As new investigation reveal how the rich dodge taxes– EPSU says: ban secrecy, invest in tax administrations and cross-border cooperation

EPSU statement (Brussels, 5 April 2013) - A group of investigative journalists revealed yesterday how 1000s of rich individuals are using tax havens to avoid paying their fair share of taxes http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/apr/03/offshore-secrets-offshore-tax-haven. With an estimated 32 Trillion dollars (...)

(28 January 2013) Welcoming migrants in the Euromed region: perspective of public sector employees . This new survey was carried out as part of an EU-funded project Public services meeting migrants submitted by EPSU’s French affiliate CFDT-Interco (2012). It looks at working conditions in migration public services (charged with work/residency permits) and health services in direct contact with migrant/ users.

We will move into our new office premises from 12 to 16 November. Our services will not be operational and the office will be closed during this period. We ask for your understanding for any inconvenience caused. Please note our new address, valid from 12 November 2012 : European Federation of Public Service Unions
Rue Joseph II, 40 - Box 5
1000 Brussels

no progress made to stop killing of unionists

The Congress of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) voted a resolution deploring the fact that Colombia was the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist in 2009. 3 years later and despite a change of the Columbian Government it remains the most dangerous country for trade unionists.

(Press Communication, 27 April 2012) EPSU welcomes the vote in European Parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee on 25 April in favour of a Financial Transactions Tax in Europe, as a first and essential step towards a global FTT. The vote in plenary is scheduled for 21-24 May 2012.

another tale of the missing links (EPSU Statement, 14 February 2012) EPSU notes that the European Commission (EC) focuses in the Annual Growth Survey (AGS) on the need to modernise public administrations. This can give the impression that public administrations have been static sectors of the economy and resistent to change, whereas in fact public administrations have been undergoing many reforms in the past decade. However, as the OECD’s “Government at a glance 2011” points out, “despite a plethora of reforms implemented by countries over the past decade, little empirical evidence currently exists about which public administration reforms bring about efficiency and productivitiy gains”.

(Greek version below) - 9 February 2012 - The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) sends, yet again, a message of solidarity to the Greek unions that were on strike the day before yesterday against the proposed « solutions » that the troika is negotiating with the Greek Government.

The new austerity package being discussed (...)

(30 November 2011) Thousands of public sector workers from Portugal to Russia and from Norway to Cyprus have participated in the strikes, demonstrations, pickets, rallies up and down Europe to protest against austerity to reclaim justice and Social Europe. The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) wants to thanks all those that have helped us to make this day a success. The fight goes on!

(24 November 2011) The Executive Committee of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) discussed the grave economic and social situation in Europe at its meeting 9 November 2011. Public service and public service workers are under pressure (read more)

EPSU’S OPEN LETTER TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Press Release, Brussels 22 July 2010
“How do the EU-wide imposed austerity plans affect women?” This is the question EPSU has raised with several members of the European Commission in an open letter. If there are negative impacts EPSU wants to know what the Commission will do about them.

Demographic Change and Skills to be taken seriously when developing European energy policy

Press Release (Brussels, 5 November 2009)

Both employers and trade unions are concerned about the ageing profile of the workforce with many workers retiring in the next 5-10 years in the European gas sector. This poses particular challenges to ensure the level of competencies and skills which is important to maintain a high quality service, to develop the gas infrastructure, to ensure security of supply and to respond to technological developments and climate change (read more)

UPDATE: National Greed under pressure: Day of Action 11 September 2009

(3 September 2009) The UK company National Grid continues its harsh position to outsource jobs despite excellent profits and results. The unions are therefore organizing a day of action on 11 September 2009.

Adopted on 18 June 2009, Prague (EN/FR/DE)

(6 May 2009) The Members of the Special Negotiating Body will sign the EWC agreement for the French-Belgian company GdF-Suez today 6 May in Paris. The SNB reached agreement with management 7 April.

Following the merger of GDF and SUEZ, the European Works Councils (EWC) of both companies agreed to negotiate a new EWC agreement basing itself on the experience of both EWCs (...).

Decision could put healthcare provision ‘at risk of worst aspects of internal market’

(21 April 2009, Brussels) The Executive Committee of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) has today passed a declaration on the Patient Mobility Directive.

On 23/24 April, the European Parliament (EP) will take a major decision on how healthcare is defined in the European Union. The EP is due to take a position on the legal basis of the directive and whether it should be national healthcare systems, or the internal market that is responsible (...)

(27 January 2009, Brussels) EPSU have staged the latest in a series of successful events to promote collective bargaining coordination in the EU based on concrete examples. On 27 January the Federation hosted a seminar entitled: “How to improve coordination of collective bargaining in (Central West) Europe in the energy sector”.

Gross and net pay was compared of energy workers from the participating countries. The jobs that were examined were: (...)

(14 January 2009, Paris) In a move which signals the high levels of concerns, ALL French Trade Unions in the public sector have announced a joint day of action on 29 January. The 29th will see demonstrations all over the country in defense of public services. The Union activists aim to stop the increased attacks on public service standards by the Sarkozy Government. In particular, a moratorium on the ‘dead-end’ policy of cutting jobs and budgets is demanded. The Unions propose (...)

Let’s fix Europe, together!

(18 November 2008) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (www.epsu.org) is launching its Public Service Pledge for the European elections at 12h30 on 25 November 2008. The launch will take place at the EPSU Executive Committee meeting and thus will have present all of the public service trade union leaders within the EU (...)

On 5 November 2008, the European Parliament (EP) Employment and Social Affairs Committee will vote on the report by Alejandro Cercas on the Working Time Directive. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) hopes that the EP committee will confirm the position taken by the Parliament in its first reading, in contrast with the regrettable agreement brokered at the Employment and Social Affairs Council on 9 June.

The Working Time Directive represents high stakes for European citizens. The Cercas report and (...)

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is organising a Day of Action on 7 October : "For Decent Work and Decent Pay".
 http://www.wddw.org

The ETUC is calling on its affiliates to support the day of action with national campaigns and events. Together with the French affiliated unions, ETUC will organise a European rally on 7 October in Paris. Read the ITUC press release, and the ETUC news.

It is important for all unions and including public services unions to participate and organise activities and events on this day to draw attention to our demands for (...)

Statement by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) on the crisis of casino capitalism

(29 September 2008) The world financial crisis must be a turning point and cause a complete change in the way the financial world works. The dominant model of financial capitalism is close to collapse. This capitalism, liberated from long-standing restraints around 25 years ago, especially in the USA, has been used since as a role model for the rest of the world to follow. It has patronised the (...)

(22 September 2008)

Water in Public Hands - union campaigning - Using the opportunity of a series of water activist events during the European Social Forum, trade unions from the water sector reflected on current developments and campaigns to keep water services public.

Be proud of public water - the importance of public water operators Most municipalities, cities and countries have excellent public water companies. Such companies are however not vocal at the European or global level. (...)

Press Communication: Brussels

European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)
European Hospital and Healthcare Employers' Association (HOSPEEM)

(16 July 2008, Brussels). On Monday 14 July a joint Hospital Social Partner delegation met Commissioner Vassiliou.

Commissioner Vassiliou explained the rationale for promoting the Cross-border Healthcare Directive. She underlined in particular the need for better collaboration between the Member States as well as the establishment of (...)

PRESS BRIEFING

Lesson of Lisbon still not heard as Brussels executive looks to makes grab for control of national healthcare systems

(1 July, Brussels) The European Federation of Public service Union has learned that the European Commission is set to publish a radical proposal on cross-border healthcare, this Thursday July 3. The draft proposal, which has been seen by EPSU, wants to give huge powers over healthcare to the Commission. In particular, the Brussels Executive wants to take power to define hospital care in all EU member states. The draft document states that; “In particular, power should be conferred on the Commission to define for the purposes of this Directive (...)

Congress

COMMUNIQUE - 10 juin 2008 - Service de Presse de la CONFEDERATION GENERALE DU TRAVAIL FORCE OUVRIERE

La cgt FO qui, depuis 2004, s’oppose à la révision de la directive temps de travail concoctée par la Commission européenne estime que ce 10 juin sera marqué comme un jour sombre pour le droit social, pour les travailleurs en Europe et pour la (...)

Press Communication, 5 June 2008

“Working time directive risks becoming empty shell”

The European Employment Council of 9 June is set to discuss the proposal of the Slovenian Presidency to revise the Working Time Directive.

The proposal would lead to the disastrous situation where:

• for the first time, a European Union social law proposal would worsen standards for European Workers;
• European Court of Justice decisions on ‘on-call time’ in the workplace, would be ignored, by defining ‘inactive time at the workplace’ as not being (...)

Keine Aufweichung des Patienten- und Arbeitsschutzes

(5 June 2008, Berlin) Die Ärztegewerkschaft Marburger Bund (MB) warnt die Arbeits- und Sozialminister der EU-Mitgliedstaaten vor einer Revision der Arbeitszeitrichtlinie. Bei der Sitzung des Rates der Europäischen Union am 9. Juni 2008 soll auf Betreiben der slowenischen Präsidentschaft über eine Änderung der Arbeitszeitrichtlinie samt Neubewertung der Bereitschaftsdienste entschieden werden. Diese (...)

Press Communication, 5 June 2008 The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) has called on the EU Council of Energy Ministers to pull back from the ‘grave error’ of forced ownership unbundling in the sector. EU energy ministers are set to discuss far-reaching proposals for energy companies on 6 June. EPSU has warned that Ministers run the risk of swinging a wrecking ball at the sector in a time of growing (...)

(EPSU Press Communication, 7 May 2008, Brussels) The European Parliament Committee on Energy voted with a narrow majority to force Member States to break up vertically integrated companies in the electricity sector, 6 May. The evidence presented by the European Commission for its ideological view has been criticised and found unfounded and based on erroneous assumptions. The social consequences for workers and citizens have not been investigated. The positive historical experience of many countries with vertically integrated companies has (...)

(28 April 2008, Brussels)This day workers and trade unions commemorate those workers and colleagues who have been killed during the preceding year because of unsustainable forms of production. It is the 13th time this day is honoured across the world. Each year around 2 million workers are killed, 1.2 million are injured and 160 million diseased.

Carola Fischbach-Pyttel: This day we pay tribute to all the dead, injured and sick workers. We remember those workers who had fatal accidents often because their employer did not provide protection to make cheap gains. We remember those workers who died while doing their jobs rescuing others like firefighters and police. We campaign for good health and safety for all.

(Press Communication, 24 April, Brussels) The Executive Committee of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) approved the position of the ETUC regarding its decision not to negotiate on the Revision of the European Works Council Directive, 22 April 2008. BusinessEurope was not able to agree to a fixed and short timetable and the risk of bad faith negotiations was considerable giving the attitude of BusinessEurope and some of its members who have consistently and violently lobbied against the Revision of the Directive. This would have delayed revision considerably (...).

(11 April 2008, Brussels) With a letter to the European Commission the ETUC has notified that it will not negotiate on the revision of the EWC Directive due to a lack of willingness to provide guarantees for a substantial agreement by Business Europe.

To read the letter of John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC, click here.

(11 April 2008, Brussels) Economic and social progress need to go hand in hand is the key message of the joint statement of the social partners in the European gas sector. The trade unions and Eurogas for the employers/ companies agreed to seek a constructive involvement in building a social dimension to the European Energy Community for South East Europe and to contribute to the development of the social dialogue with their expertise. Jan Willem Goudriaan, EPSU Deputy General Secretary welcomes the statement "The European Gas industry represented by the trade unions and Eurogas speaks out for the social development of the sector. This is a voice the European Commission and the Member States of the Energy Community can not ignore. We expect a serious commitment to the national social action plans and social dialogue”.

Brussels, 7 April 2008

The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers’ Association (HOSPEEM) have jointly signed a code of conduct on ethical cross-border recruitment and retention.Through the code of conduct the European social partners in the hospital sector want to address inequalities and unnecessary burdens on healthcare caused by unethical recruitment practices. With this agreement (...)

(7 April 2008, Brussels) More pay, more rights, more equality were the battle cries of European trade union leaders at the ETUC Euro-manifestation in Ljubljana, Slovenia 5 April. 35.000 trade union representatives from many European countries marched in a colorful and joyful demonstration. We passed the message to European finance ministers that Europe’s workers have had enough of purchasing power being eroded, of the greed of their CEOs, and of Ministers who preach wage moderation but do not act against high profits, rising prices and the undermining of social rights (...)

( 04 April 2008, Brussels) Unions reported on the results of collective bargaining. Purchasing power had been maintained for workers and in some cases real wage increases have been obtained that reflect productivity increases and the high profits of companies. Strike action was undertaken in several cases. The EPSUCOB@ network commences to cover a larger number of agreements. The unions support the ETUC Pay Campaign.

(Brussels, 3 March 2008) The statement, which is in response to the consultation by the European Commission on this subject, has been prepared on the basis of the discussion held by the members of the sectoral social dialogue committee for regional and local government in December 2007. In the statement EPSU / CEMR:

 underline that social inclusion is an important issue for the EU, Member States, and social partners (in all sectors) given that 16% of the EU population is at risk (...)

7 MARCH 2008

"We are very satisfied with the public resonance and participation of this first European wide Action Day in the prison sector", says EPSU General Secretary, Carola Fischbach-Pyttel. More than 400 delegates from 10 countries (Belgium, France, Spain, Germany, Estonia, Netherlands, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway) assembled yesterday in Brussels on a common platform of key demands. The central demonstration in Brussels was combined with many national actions, information days in prisons, petition with national parliaments and press conferences. "We want more and better qualified staff. We want better working and living conditions in prisons. We want that basic human and trade union rights are recognised. We need a European coordinated policy to tackle prison overcrowding by promoting (...)

Prison Staff organisations announce 28 February Brussels rally to put prison overcrowding on EU agenda

(20 February 2007, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) announces a rally; ‘NO to Prison Overcrowding’ to coincide with the meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers on 28 February (rally to be supported by actions throughout Europe).

ISSUE: At present, prisons in the EU are at 125% capacity. Plans in a number of EU countries to build privately run prison facilities, are making worse an already difficult situation. The consequences of prison overcrowding are (...)

(Madrid, January 2008) EPSU Spanish Affiliate CC.OO has started the momentum towards the European action day against prison overcrowding set for 28 February 2008. The Spanish trade union have mobilised members to protest about the health and safety conditions for prison staff. They have also called for proper professional recognition for prison staff. For a detailed outline of the CC.OO position please WATCH this VIDEO - http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=vANo0HStwSA (...)

Press Communication, 27 June 2007

29 June meeting in Montenegro “last chance to avoid major error on social policy”

Energy Ministers from South Eastern Europe are set to green light further energy policies to open their markets to competition and expose workers and citizens to market forces at their meeting in Podgorica, Montegro on 29 June. Unfortunately they (...)

(20 June 2007) The EWC approved in principle a number of agreements, rejected others and demanded continuation of negotiations on a range of other issues. The agreements are not signed yet, as some consultations are ongoing and a number of minor questions need to be solved (read the full article).

Please find attached a call from the ETUC to affiliated organisations to collect signatures for the public services petition www.petitionpublicservice.eu during the May Day celebrations. May Day is traditionally a day of solidarity and a day of celebration for the trade union movement. This makes it the perfect occasion to present our case for quality public services for all. We are urging you to turn May Day 2007 into a massive, Europe wide, drive for quality public services.

CoR/EESC conference on the future of public services - 19 April 2007

(19 April, Brussels) Today’s conference on a European framework for high quality public services, organised jointly by the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee of the EU, in close cooperation with the Socialist Group in the European Parliament and many European partner organisations campaigning in this field (such as ETUC, EPSU, CEEP, European Social Platform), showed once again that "high quality public services - open and transparent, with equal access for all - are essential elements in the European model of society. Market forces alone cannot ensure (...)

(13 March, London) The momentum for www.petitionpublicservice.eu continues to build this week, as UNISON announced plans to involve 40,000 activists in the push for one million signatures for the petition. The initiative, from the UK’s biggest union, brings the petition, and most importantly, the need for a framework law for public services to the grassroot level.

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis stated that "Public Services in European are under attack, which is why UNISON is supporting a call for a European law to protect public services from (...)

C. Fischbach-Pyttel, EPSU General Secretary and J. Ciacma, Coordinador de Internacional, FSAP-CC.OO Spain, signing the petition

C. Valera, International Secretary FSP-UGT Spain, signing the petition

(7 March, 2007) The effect of clear, simple, targets on the public service petition were illustrated yesterday. On 6 March, EPSU affiliate CC.OO (Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras) www.ccoo.es launched their nation wide campaign on the petition. The results were immediate. By end of the day, 4,833 visits from Spain had been logged to www.petitionpublicservice.eu. In addition, EPSU affiliate Federación de Servicios Públicos de la UGT www.fsp.es sent 20.000 e-mails to public workers in the region of (...)

Claire Roumet announcing Social Platform support for the EPSU campaign

(21 February) The Platform of European Social NGOs (SOCIAL PLATFORM) has announced that they will actively support the EPSU campaign ‘Quality Public Services - Quality of Life and the ETUC Petition on Public Services. This announcement represents a major alliance between public service workers and the users and providers of social services. FIND YOUR NATIONAL ALLIES HERE !

Speaking at an EPSU seminar, Social Platform Management Committee member, Claire Roumet stated that; “ The Social Platform supports the equal access of all people to affordable high quality services of general interest and decided to support the EPSU campaign and ETUC petition on quality public services ”

3 WEEKS TO GO!

EPSU PLAN OF ACTION for

ETUC Petition for High Quality Public Services accessible to all

Collection of 1 million signatures!

Key message: Success of online petition needs clear political leadership.

The Petition needs to be prioritised for next 5 weeks. (19 February - 21 May).

(8 February 2007): action a success - read the preliminary agreement

(6 February 2007) Update: Hungarian strike in electricity a success. The two hour strike of EPSU affilaite VdSzSz and other unions is a big success. Participation in the strike varies between 65 and 95% of workers according to the work place. Many non-unionised workers have joined the action. Production has been reduced with 200-300 MW. A big achievement for our Hungarian colleagues that sends a powerful message to the government.

Energy Workers 5-point critique of EU energy strategy

Press Communication (10 January 2007, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions rapid response to the EU Energy Strategy as released by the European Commission today (...):