Press Releases
European Commission wants to celebrate 4th July with disastrous USA style healthcare system
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 (...)
Heating or eating ? NO says EPSU to EP - address energy poverty now!
(Brussels, 18 June 2008) The European Parliament will consider amendments to the proposal for a Directive on Internal Market for Electricity and Gas, 18 June. EPSU, the European Anti-poverty network and the European committee for Social Housing (CECODHAS) have requested MEPs to show that they care about low-income households and consumers and support those amendments that address energy poverty.Please find the joint press release :
People in poverty shouldn’t have to choose between (...)
Save the Working Time Directive on 9 June! EPSU affiliates mobilise to avert ‘disastrous decision’ by EU employment ministers
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 (...)
“Address energy price reality not internal market theory” Trade Unions tell EU Energy Ministers
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 (...)Parliament’s Vote on ownership unbundling disappointing
(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 (...)Legislate on Revision of EWC Directive now ! says 8 million Union Federation
(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 (...)."If you are in a hole stop digging" say energy workers to Council
Press Communication, 27 February 2008If you are in a hole stop digging" say energy workers to Council (27 February 2008, Brussels) The European Commission is obsessed with ownership unbundling and criticises Member States for protection of domestic households at a time when electricity and gas prices increase, jobs in the sector are lost, investment in new capacity is lagging behind, mergers and take-overs cost tens of billions of Euros and most States in the USA have halted their (...)
EPSU Action Day against prison overcrowding in Europe 28-02, Brussels
Press Communication (28 February 2008, Brussels) European Action Day against prison overcrowding brings together 440 trade union delegates from 10 countries including Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
Rally and happening start at 12.00 until 14.30 outside the EU Justice Ministers’ Council meeting, Rue de la Loi 175.
Interviews at demo site.
EPSU delegation meeting with Slovenia’s Justice Minister and EU Council President, Lovro Šturm, at 11.00 a.m. until 11.30 a.m.
Further information @ www.epsu.org/prisons
Prison Overcrowding “further aggravated” by privatisation
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 (...)
Will EU Justice Ministers ignore the prison crush?
Prison Staff organisations announce 28 February Brussels rally to put prison overcrowding on EU agenda
Français/Nederlands/Deutsch/Español/Italiano!
(12 February 2008, 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. The action, involving 400+ prison staff from all over Europe, will take place outside the Council of Ministers building (Justus Lipsius) from 12h00-15h00 on 28 February. The aim of the rally is (...)
Postponement of EU Health directive “major victory for advocates of universal health coverage”
Out of touch Commission makes major miscalculationon healthcare proposals
PRESS RELEASE, 19 December, 2007, Brussels
The decision by the European Commission to postpone the publication of the draft directive on Cross-Border Healthcare, until spring 2008, represents a major victory for advocates of universal healthcare coverage throughout the EU.
Commenting on this embarrassing climb-down by the Commission, EPSU General Secretary Carola Fischbach-Pyttel stated that; “the draft (...)
Healthcare Employers and Workers send strong message to European Commission on cross-border healthcare proposals
European Hospital Unions and Employers agree joint statement on EU and healthcare(14 December, 2007, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers Association (HOSPEEM) have jointly signed a declaration on health services in the EU. For the full text of the statement please see attached or click here; (www.epsu.org or www.hospeem.eu).
The declaration, which marks the first formal joint position between the EU social (...)
Social Partners for government administrations reach EU agreement
EUPAN and TUNED agree a 2 year plan to test formal European social dialoguePress release, 13 December 2007, Brussels
The Trade Unions’ Delegation for National and European Administration (TUNED), and the EU Directors General for Public Administration (EUPAN) have agreed a two year “test phase” for a formal social dialogue between the organisations. The test phase will commence on 1 January 2008 and conclude on 31 December 2009. The agreement is significant as it sets out a (...)
Executive Committee Statement on European Commission
“Internal Market Strategy and companion document’ on public services”.Strikes are in part a reaction to a European Commission that has forgotten that Public Services should be at the heart of the EU
PRESS COMMUNICATION, 27 November 2007
The Executive Committee of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) deplores the European Commission’s position on the further consolidation of the legal framework regarding provision, organisation and financing of public (...)
EPSU reaction to EUROPEAN COMMUNICATION ON THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC AND SOCIAL SERVICES
“This marks the beginning, not the end, of the debate on Public Services in the EU”European Federation of Public Services Press Communication
(20 November 2007, Brussels) The European Commission today published its views on the further consolidation of the legal framework regarding provision, organisation and financing of public services, including social services within the European Internal market.
The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) contends that the (...)
South Eastern Europe signs Energy Accord with European Commission
“A positive sign if social aspects taken seriously” says EPSU boss
Embargo 12.00 18 October 2007
PRESS COMMUNICATION, 18 October 2007
(Vienna ,18 October) Energy and Social Affairs Ministers from South East Europe today signed an agreement with the European Commission to put social issues at the heart of the South East Europe energy community. The agreement, or memorandum of understanding, was signed in Vienna (home of the Energy Community Secretariat) today by Ministers from across the Balkan states, and by European Commissioner for Energy, Andris (...)
“Diversity through Equality in Public Administrations in Europe”
Conference, 17-19 October 2007, CopenhagenTUNED PRESS RELEASE, 2 October 2007, Brussels
On 17-19 October 2007, EU social partners in the state sector will hold their first joint conference “Diversity through Equality in Public Administrations in Europe” in Copenhagen. The conference is hosted by Denmark’s State Employer’s Authority. It is organised in close cooperation with the EU network of Directors General for public administration (EUPAN) and the Trade Unions’ National and (...)
EU Energy “Ownership Unbundling” plans throws workers in dark
PRESS COMMUNICATION, 19 September 2007(Brussels, 19 September) The proposed changes to the directives on the Internal Market for Electricity and Gas, unveiled by the European Commission today, force restructuring in the electricity and gas industry. Astonishingly, the Commission has not seen fit to articulate any specific provisions to protect EU energy workers against these radical changes.
Although there is little evidence that it will bring reduced prices for Europe’s citizens and (...)
Austrian EVN agrees European Works Council with Macedonian representation
PRESS COMMUNICATION, 19 September 2007The Austrian company EVN active in water, energy and related services agreed to establish a European Works Council, 12 September 2007. The company employs around 10.000 workers predominantly in Austria, Bulgaria and Macedonia. The Special negotiating body reached agreement with management and the EWC will include representation from the Macedonian work force in the distribution company. It is believed to be one of the first EWC agreements with a (...)
EU liberalisation of network industries set to accelerate despite
PRESS COMMUNICATION, 10 September 2007European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)
UNI - Europa (Private Skills and Services Federation)
European Transport Workers Federation (ETF)
Subject: Joint response of European Energy/Post/Transport Workers Federations to European Commission report on the Evaluation of the Performance of Network Industries Providing Services of General Economic Interest 2006).
Event: Joint EUROPEAN COMMISSION and EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL (...)
Press release EWC Suez on merger with GdF
Press release, 4 September 2007The Steering Committee of the European Consultative Committee (EWC) of Suez meeting today (4/9) and after having noted the announcement of the new project to merger GdF and Suez:
• Is opposed to the principle of the dismantlement of the Group and as such to the project to disinvest 65% of the capital of branch Environment. The EWC is absolutely not reassured by the announcement of a pact of the large shareholders of which the real content and the rules (...)
EU MINISTERS FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ENDORSE A EUROPEAN SOCIAL DIALOGUE ACTION PLAN FOR THE STATE SECTOR
TUNED PRESS RELEASE, 26 June 2007
High-quality state sector “for citizens and public employees” to be realised through EU-wide committee
At their 13th meeting on 22 June 2007, in Berlin, the EU Ministers responsible for Public Administration, with the participation of Siim Kallas Vice-President of the European Commission, endorsed an action plan to develop and strengthen the European social dialogue in the state sector. In a statement adopted at the (...)
South Eastern Europe Energy Policy hangs in the balance
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 (...)
Social dimension tops meeting EPSU and Presidency Energy Community
(5 April 2007) An EPSU delegation met with the Montenegro Deputy Minister Mr. Canovic, in Podgorica, 5 April 2007. EPSU brought the message that the South East European Energy Community needs a social pillar. The internal market for electricity and gas will have grave social consequences. Mr. Canovic, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Montenegro is currently the President of the Ministerial Council of the South East European Energy Community.EPSU Deputy General Secretary Jan (...)
Czech Energy Company CEZ concludes European Works Council agreement
Press Communication (3 April) The agreement is believed to be the first exclusively New Member States European Works Council and will have representatives from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland and Romania.. It will be composed of 23 members. The Steering or Select Committee will have 7 members. The primary way to nominate the EWC members will be through the trade unions. The EWC will allow the trade union representatives from the different subsidiaries and countries to address important (...)European Commission pulls public service Communication at last moment
(20 March, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) has been informed that the European Commission has decided not to publish a controversial communication on public services. The communication, which was set to be unveiled on 21 March, will now only be published "at the earliest on 12 April", according to Commission sources. This delay suggests that there are serious tensions with the College of Commissioners about the content of the communication. EPSU (...)EPSU announces new European Social Dialogue Committee in the Natural Gas Sector
EPSU announces new European Social Dialogue Committee in the Natural Gas Sector(Press Communication, 14 March, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) welcome the sectoral social dialogue committee in the Natural Gas sector, which will meet in Brussels on 15 March for the first time. The unions will meet the employers represented by Eurogas.
EPSU Deputy General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan comments: "The European Council 8-9 March took several decisions that (...)
Energy Package is PR exercise to justify higher energy bills and disguise failure of liberalization
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 (...):
EP yes vote for Services Directive increases need for balancing Commission proposal on Public Services
"The Commission has no excuse now to keep stalling"
Press Communication, immediate release
(15 November, 2006, Strasbourg) The Services Directive vote, which took place in the European Parliament today, marks the end of almost three years of debate and political manoeuvring. "It is now high-time for the European Union, and the European Commission in particular, to give equal weight and consideration to building a modern social Europe", said European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) General Secretary Carola Fischbach-Pyttel. "The European project must now re-engage with citizens through a genuine debate on a concrete legal text for public services in the EU," she continued. "Today’s vote in the European Parliament on the services directive should mark a line in the sand."
Principles of Social Europe "integral to" stability of South East European Energy Community
Press communication: immediate release
Declaration on the occasion of Ministerial Conference 17 November 2006
(16 November 2006, Brussels) Macedonia will host a crucial summit on social aspects of the South East European Energy Community tomorrow, 17 November 2006. Set to attend are; all Ministers of Energy of the South East European countries; the European Commission; and the Finnish Presidency. First on the agenda is the Memorandum of Understanding on the Social Aspects of the Energy Community (in South East Europe). For the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), full agreement of the memorandum is integral to energy community stability.
European Trade Unions stand firm on NO to Working Time Individual Opt-Out
Leaked Finnish Presidency proposal shows "opt-out well and truly redundant", says Union Leader
(26 October, 2006) This week has seen intense activity in Brussels on the Working Time Directive dossier. The Finnish Presidency proposal, a copy of which has been seen by EPSU, aims to keep the individual opt-out as part of the package of any compromise on working time. According to European Federation of Public Service Unions General Secretary, Ms. Carola Fischbach-Pyttel, "this compromise would, in effect, render the Working TIme Directive meaningless".
Services Directive Committee vote strengthens Unions’ resolve for November plenary vote
"We are committed to getting a fair result for the users of social services" says Union leader
Press Communication - (24 October, Brussels) The result in the Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament yesterday has "strengthened the resolve" of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) to get a fair result for public service users on the services directive. Speaking to affiliates yesterday, Carola Fischbach-Pyttel, EPSU General Secretary, stated that; "We will make sure, on Social Services, that there is an unequivocal exclusion from the scope of the directive".
CAPGEMINI report on electricity shortages underlines EU energy policy faultlines
"Radical overhaul needed to reverse EU-wide trends"
(Brussels, 13 October, 2006) CAPGEMINI reported on the risk of electricity shortages in Europe yesterday. Its report confirms that the internal market for electricity and gas has failed to deliver on its goals. It is the latest in a series of reports that demonstrate that liberalisation does not work for the electricity sector.
European Social Partners in Hospital Sector hold first formal meeting
Press Communication: Brussels - 20 September The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers’ Association (HOSPEEM) today met jointly in the first formal meeting of a European Sectoral Social Dialogue committee for the hospital sector. HOSPEEM General Secretary Godfrey Perera stated that: "To get to this point where representatives of the hospital workforce and management in the European Union can get together to discuss topics is a tremendous achievement (...).
European Council in ’shocking’ attempt to force working time deal
(13 June, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) has learned that the Austrian Presidency is manoeuvring to try to force through a last-minute deal on the Working Time Directive. Revision of the directive, which has stalled under the last three EU Presidencies, is blocked due to the question of whether or not to end the controversial ’individual opt-out’ provision. A second stumbling point has been the categorisation of on-call duty in the working place. The Austrian Presidency has put the issue on the agenda of the European Council meeting of EU leaders, set for this Thursday and Friday (15-16 June) in an attempt to reach a deal.
Failure of Employment Council to reach Working Time deal further highlights validity of European Parliament Position
Press communication(2 June, Brussels) The failure of the Employment Council to reach a settlement on the working time directive yesterday, (1 June) is further illustration that Employment Ministers continue to avoid political reality on the issue, and continue to ignore the clear demands of the representatives of EU workers and citizens. The Austrian Presidency was unable to break the deadlock despite last minute manoeuvrings. "After 12 hours of debate yesterday, the Ministers were still (...)
National Administration social partners make progress on EU level dialogue
Press CommunicationEU Directors’ General of EU Member States’ civil service and EPSU-led trade union delegation -TUNED- sign statement on workers’ mobility, 29 May 2006, Vienna
(2 June, Brussels) As part of the ongoing efforts to improve the social dialogue in national and European administrations, the EPSU-led trade union delegation and directors general for Public administration agreed a statement on mobility of public sector workers. This statement marks the second occasion an accord (...)
EPSU to look to European Parliament to resolve Council Services Directive contradictions
Press communication
(31 May, Brussels) In the light of the Council of Ministers vote on the services directive on 29 May, EPSU will be pushing hard for the European Parliament to resolve many of the outstanding problems when it returns for second reading in September. “The Services Directive still contains many problems for Europe’s public service workers, and in the context of the wider EU legislative agenda, there are some flat-out contradictions contained in the text,” said EPSU General Secretary, Carola Fischbach-Pyttel.
EPSU welcomes EP call for social dimension to South-East European Energy Treaty
Press Communication (19 May, Brussels) The demands of trade unions from South East Europe, supported by EPSU, for a social dimension in the South East European Energy Community received full support from the European Parliament, 18 May. The Parliament voted on a resolution tabled by energy committee chair Giles Chicester that demanded the European Commission to take full account of the social dimension. The resolution demands in particular:an unequivocal commitment by the signatories to (...)
EPSU press release for ‘Solidarity vigil’ outside Brussels office of Lower Saxony on eve of negotiations to end German strike deadlock
Mahnwache vor der niedersächsischen Landesvertretung in Brüssel - Solidaritätsbekundung einen Tag vor Wiederaufnahme der Tarifverhandlungen mit den deutschen Ländern.
(17 May, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions, EPSU, in conjunction with Belgian public service trade unions of CGSP-FGTB and CSC services publics held a ‘solidarity vigil’ today in support of German trade union Ver.di, on the eve of the restarting of negotiations in Berlin, to end a 12 week strike on working time. The strike concerns, in particular, the regulation of working time at federal state level.
EPSU calling notice for ‘Solidarity vigil’ outside Brussels office of Lower Saxony on eve of negotiations to end German strike deadlock
(Brussels, 11 May 2006) The European Federation of Public Service Unions, EPSU, in conjunction with Belgian public service trade unions of CGSP-FGTB and CSC services publics will hold a ‘solidarity vigil’ in support of German trade union Ver.di, on the eve of the restarting of negotiations in Berlin, to end a 12 week strike on working time. The strike concerns in particular the regulation of working time at federal state level.
European Commission Communication on social services does not live up to expectations
EPSU response to Communication on social services of general interestPress communication: 27 April 2006
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Attention: News Editors
(27 April, Brussels) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) expresses its disappointment with the Communication on Social Services of General Interest. This is based on the substance and the process of the Communication on Social Services of General Interest (26 April). In substance the Communication falls short of EPSU’s (...)
European wide campaign launch for EU public service directive
Press communication: 21 April 2006 
The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) today launched their campaign calling for an EU directive on public services. The campaign launch, which took place in Vienna was organised by EPSU’s Austrian affiliate union GdG. It was attended by the President of the European Social Platform Anne-Sophie Parent, the President of the European Public Service Employers Caspar Einem and the President of the European Local Government Employers, Michael Häupl.
European and US unions join forces and confront EON’s hiring pratices
(Brussels 29 March, 2006) Energy Trade Unions from European and the USA today announced joint action to confront German energy giant EON. The Energy company has reneged on its pledge to hire unionized workers. It is this u-turn on hiring union workers that has provoked the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) into action.
European Water Workers mark World Water Day with protest against water privatisation plans
Press communication: 22 March, 2006 Action: WORLD WATER DAY
EPSU today held an action to mark World Water Day in the heart of Europe. A human chain of 1000 people was formed between the offices of AQUAFED (the International Private Water Company Federation) and the European Commission headquarters.
DRIP FED!
Private Water Company lobby group AQUAFED puts backroom pressure on European Commission to privatise the sector. World Water Day sees launch of study that exposes AQUAFED attempts to liberalise water services.
EPSU press communication, 22 March 2006 Action: World Water Day 22 March
European Committee launched in the hospital sector - "Social Partners committed to full role in defining EU health policy"
Press Communication - 17 March 2006Calling Notice for action on World Water Day
Subject: World Water Day
Venue: Rond point Schuman, Brussels
Date and Time: 11.00am 22 March
Action: Human chain between the offices of AQUAFED (Federation of private water companies) and the Berlaymont (European Commission headquarters) and Justus Lipsius (Council of Ministers building)
Lancement d’un Comité européen dans le secteur hospitalier "Les partenaires sociaux veulent assumer pleinement leur rôle dans la définition de la politique européenne de la santé"
Communiqué de presse, 17 mars 2006Europäischer Ausschuss startet im Krankenhausbereich "Sozialpartner übernehmen Rolle bei der Definition der EU-Gesundheitspolitik"
Pressemitteilung, 17. März 2006Europeisk kommitté inrättas för sjukhussektorn "Arbetsmarknadens parter vill spela en fullständig roll i arbetet med att fastställa EU:s folkhälsopolitik"
Pressmeddelande - 17 mars 2006Se crea un comité europeo en el sector hospitalario “Los interlocutores sociales asumen responsabilidades en la definición de la política comunitaria de salud”
Comunicado de prensa - 17 de marzoEPSU / HOSPEEM Calling Notice for Press Conference 17 March 2006
European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)European Hospital and Healthcare Employers’ Association (HOSPEEM)
Press Communication: Brussels - Immediate release, 9 March 2006
EPSU / HOSPEEM Calling Notice for Press Conference
17 March 2006
Attention: news editors
Subject: Launch of European social partners committee for Hospital sector in European Union
Venue: International Trade Union House (ITUH), Blvd de Roi Albert II 5, Brussels 1210 (located near ROGIER metro station)
Date (...)
German unions fight outsourcing in Swedish energy company Vattenfall - Strike action threatened
Press Communication: Brussels Immediate release, 7 March 2006The European energy sector is in profound turmoil. Already 50 billion Euro’s have been squandered on take-overs and mergers, and not returned to society in lower prices, more investments and more jobs. According to EPSU research more then 300.000 jobs have gone in the electricity sector. After slashing jobs, companies now turn on their remaining employees to extract more profits out of them. A recent example is Vattenfall Europe, (...)
A Genuine European energy policy must mean genuine consultation
Press Communication: Brussels, Immediate release, 7 March 2006A Genuine European energy policy must mean genuine consultation “New EU energy policy initiative must reflect concerns of ALL stakeholders and not just big energy companies”
Subject : EPSU reaction to Green Paper on European Energy Policy
(Brussels, 7 March, 2006) Tomorrow sees the publication by the European Commission of the Green Paper on European Energy Policy. The European Federation of Public Service Unions (...)
What next for the Services Directive? The European Federation of Public Service Unions’ Perspective
FR - DE - SP - IT - PL (see also right-hand column)(24 February 2006, Brussels) Following the European Parliament plenary vote on 16 February, the spotlight is now on the 13 March Competitiveness Council of Ministers (i.e. the Member State Governments). EPSU concluded that the results of the vote on the Services Directive represented “significant progress”, particularly on health and social services. EPSU invested in a highly visible mobilising and lobbying presence to ensure (...)
EON bid for Endesa shows Commission "in denial" over EU energy policy
Press Communication: Brussels Immediate release, 22 February 2006EON bid for Endesa shows Commission "in denial" over EU energy policy
(Brussels, 22 February) Another example of the failing story of EU energy market policy was started on 21 February 2006 when German company Eon bid for Spanish company Endesa. If pushed through, it would create one of the world’s largest energy companies with more then 100.000 workers world wide and a presence in Europe and Latin and North (...)
Services Directive EP vote means focus is now on public services
Press Communication: Brussels Immediate release, 17 February 2006ENERGY SECTOR INQUIRY
Press Communication -immediate release 16 February 2006Commission does not address employment issues !
In a hallucinating public presentation European Commissioner Kroes says: The internal market electricity and gas does not work. Hence we need more of it.
In a meeting packed with representatives of the energy sector, big business and corporate lawyers, European Commissioner for Competition presented the findings of the energy sector inquiry. The findings confirm what EPSU has been (...)
Abstimmung über die Dienstleistungsrichtlinie im Europäischen Parlament rückt das Thema öffentliche Dienste in den Mittelpunkt
Pressemitteilung, Brüssel - zur sofortigen Veröffentlichung 17. Februar 2006EPP-PES compromise on Services Directive runs risk of selling off European Public services
Press Communication -immediate release 9 February 2006
“The European Parliament must get the legislative procedure right”
South East European Energy Ministers commit to social pillar
Press Communication, 13 December 2005The Energy ministers of South East Europe discussed a proposal of the European Commission on a social pillar for the South East European Energy Treaty, 9 December in Sofia. This draft text of a Memorandum was received positively by the Ministers. The proposal on a social pillar came about after intense pressure from the regions’ trade unions. It was a key demand of the EPSU energy demonstration 1 December where 1500 workers from across Europe showed (...)
KEEP THE LIGHTS ON ! NE COUPEZ PAS LE JUS ! HOUD DE LICHTEN AAN ! LICHTER AN !
Press Communication: Brussels Immediate release, 1 December 20051500 energy workers descended on Brussels 1 December 2005. They gave a vocal signal to the European energy ministers who are meeting today: Keep the lights on. Stop the deregulation madness. In the light of mounting evidence illustrating problems the ministers are considering progress with the internal market for electricity and gas. A Commission evaluation report is on top of the agenda.
A delegation from the European (...)
KEEP THE LIGHTS ON !
Press Communication: BrusselsImmediate release, 28 November 2005 The European Federation of Public Service Unions, EPSU, organises a demonstration 1 December 2005, Brussels. 1500 or more workers are expected to descend on Brussels to make their voice heard. The Council of Ministers for Energy meets that day. The ministers are considering progress with the internal market for electricity and gas. A Commission evaluation report is on top of the agenda. The trade union message:
Keep the (...)
Unions agree action for Social pillar in Energy Community
Press Communication, 18 November 2005The South East European Energy trade unions concluded a ground breaking cooperation agreement to confront the lack of a social pillar in the South East European Energy Community, 17 November 2005. An annual work programme was agreed to deal with the implementation of the internal market for electricity and gas. The EPSU led group commits to prevent governments taking ill-advised measures that could hurt workers and citizens especially the poor. The (...)
New Study: EU Internal Market Electricity and Gas "is not functioning"
Press Communication, 2 November 2005A new energy study, to be launched tomorrow 3 November, from the University of Greenwich’s Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) has definitive evidence that there are no noticeable positive effects for domestic consumers from competition, and the drawbacks are many, that Labour productivity improvements are one-off events, achieved by dismissing workers and with no effect on longer-term dynamic efficiencies. Study author Steve Thomas (...)
Signing of South East European Energy Treaty is ‘irresponsible and hypocritical’
Press release(25 October 2005) The UK Presidency, the European Commission and the countries of South East Europe will sign the Treaty that establishes a South East European Energy Community in Athens today, 25 October. This Treaty forces the liberalisation of the electricity and gas markets in South East Europe, exposes citizens to competition and does not include any social dimension whatsoever. More worryingly, the Signatories have deliberately excluded the European Parliament from (...)
"UK MEP says Balkan energy policy should have no social obligations or requirement"
Press Communication (25 October 2005) In a confrontational reply to the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) UK MEP Giles Chichester (EPP, Con) and Chair of the Energy Committee in the European Parliament stated that social obligations and requirements only serve to shackle business, even in fragile regions such as the Balkans. EPSU had early condemned the signing of the South East European Energy Treaty as irresponsible, as there was no social dimension included. For the (...)Services Directive is badly started says Luxembourg Minister to EPSU
Press Release- 16 June 2005A EPSU delegation had a long discussion with the Luxembourg Presidency on the Services Directive on 15 June 2005. We raised concerns on the Directive and the negative effect on workers and public services such as energy and water services. We argued for the withdrawal of the Directive. Minister Jeannot Krecké called the Directive a piece of legislation, which was on a bad track. He indicated he agreed with EPSU it would have been better to withdraw it and (...)
Europe’s Energy Unions meet with Energy Commissioner Piebalgs
Press release - 24 March 2005A delegation of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) met with the Energy Commissioner, 23 March 2005. The meeting was positive. “The trade unions are a key stakeholder in European Energy Policies. It is important to engage in a dialogue with the trade unions”, Commissioner Piebalgs said.
The trade unions raised critical questions over:
The Services Directive. We welcomed recent proposals to amend the directive on a number of key issues but (...)
First European Works Council in municipal company
Press release - 18 March 2005The German Leipzig municipal company bought three municipal district heating companies in Poland in 2004. The trade unions in the companies (Gdansk, Starograd, Tczew), including EPSU affiliated union the Public Services Secretariat of Solidarnosc, the works council of the Leipzig company and Verdi negotiated a European Works Council agreement. The agreement was finalised during a seminar 16-18 March 2005, Gdansk. It is the first European Works Council for a (...)
Broad Coalition requests European Commission to be more realistic on Working Time proposals
Press Release - 17 March 2005Participants:
European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC),
European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU),
Members of European Parliament, Alejandro CERCAS, Stephen Hughes.
The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), today shared a platform with the European Parliament Rapporteur on Working Time, Mr Alejandro Cercas MEP (PES). The message behind this show of solidarity was ‘EU working Time (...)
Statement of the EPSU Steering Committee on the adoption of the European Parliament’s report on state aids package
Press Release - 25 February 2005The Steering Committee of the European Federation of Public Service Unions, EPSU, meeting on 25 February in Brussels condemns the vote in plenary on the in’t Veld report on state aids in the form of public service compensation, as adopted by a conservative - liberal majority of the European Parliament on 22 February. The report describes state aid provided for public hospitals and social housing as a distortion of competition. Member States are required to (...)
In’t Veld Report: time for legal certainty and local self-government
Appeal to Members of the European Parliament from cities, local SGEI providers and public services unions
Joint press release, 21 February 2005
Cities, providers of local services of general economic interest and public services unions call on Members of the European Parliament to amend the text of the In’t Veld Report, adopted in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, in order to return to the spirit of the European Commission’s proposal:
Unions build strength in Europe’s energy companies
31 January 2005Governments in Romania and Bulgaria have privatised several companies that distribute electricity. These companies have been taken-over by large existing European companies which thus continue to build their energy empires. To consider the consequences for the workers and to discuss future strategies, trade union representatives from the companies concerned meet in Bucharest, 29 January to 1 February 2005. The seminar is organised by EPSU, the powerful European trade union (...)
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND DIVERSITY IN THE WORKFORCE: ELECTRICITY SECTOR SOCIAL PARTNERS AGREE TO DEVELOP A GOOD PRACTICE TOOLKIT
21 December 2004The Social Partners in the electricity industry - Union of the Electricity Industry- EURELECTRIC representing employers and EPSU/EMCEF for the trade unions - intend to create a “toolkit” for companies wishing to align their approach to equal opportunities and diversity in the workforce with best practice. This project was conceived during a workshop in Brussels on 14 December, which examined the findings of a recently-completed study on the subject, and confirmed at a (...)
Unions condemn lack of social dimension of South East European Energy Treaty (10 December)
Energy conference Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 10-11 December 2004The European Union is negotiating a Treaty to establish an internal market for electricity and gas in South East Europe. This Treaty will extend the EU’s laws and regulations for the first time to other countries in a legally binding manner. A ministerial Conference will consider a final draft of the Treaty 13 December 2004.
Trade unions from the countries concerned* discussed the internal market and exchanged experiences (...)
AGAINST CUTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR !
PRESS STATEMENTPublic sector general strike in Italy, 30 November 2004
Public Services International (PSI) and the European Federation of Public Service Trade Unions (EPSU) support their public sector affiliates in the strike action they are taking on 30th of November against the new fiscal and financial plan for 2005.
The Italian government’s plans for tax cuts are unjust, wrong and unsuited to tackling the economic and social situation in the country. The tax cuts will only benefit the (...)
Equal Pay Works!
Achieving pay equity for women in Europe’s public servicesA joint conference by PSI/EPSU and EI Geneva 7-8 October 2004
Joint Media Advisory (file attached) 4th October 2004
On 7th-8th October, public service and education trade unions from across Europe will meet at the ILO to discuss strategies to achieve equal pay.
The conference forms part of Public Services International week of global action to promote pay equity, 4-8 October 2004. It is organised by PSI/EPSU and EI that have all (...)
Joint declaration Romanian and Italian unions in Enel (30 June 2004)
The European energy sector changes rapidly. It was one of the main topics of discussion at the EPSU Congress, 14 - 17 June 2004, Stockholm, Sweden. Europe`s trade unions adopted a Declaration on International Solidarity in an Integrated Industry. All unions signed the symbolically pledging to uphold trade union rights and to support each other in the case of conflict with employers many of which are now active in more European countries.One of these company is the Italian electricity (...)
Pensions: prime pillar of social Europe (16 June 2004)
Congress press releaseSecure state and occupational pensions as one of the prime pillars of a social Europe was reaffirmed at the European Federation of Public Service Unions’ (EPSU) Congress in Stockholm today.
This was by means of a Resolution (R.3.) on pensions, upholding the principle of secure state and occupational pensions. This poison on pensions has the weight of eight million European public service workers and citizens behind it.
A wide-ranging debate which acknowledged the (...)
Irish Presidency pledge to defend EPSU interests on eve of Constitution debate (16 June 2004)
Congress press releaseOn the eve of a crucial meeting of European Union (EU) leaders, the Irish EU Presidency pledged to the European Federation of Public service Unions (EPSU) that public services and basic rights would not be “diminished.”
Dick Roche, the Irish Minister for European Affairs, one of the Irish EU Presidency’s key figures, gave this undertaking at EPSU’s four yearly Congress in Stockholm today (16 June).
In so doing he was addressing the concerns of 8 million public (...)
Public Service Unions united against EU Bolkestein Directive (16 June 2004)
Congress press releaseEuropean Commission member, Fritz Bolkestein has united the eight million public service workers represented by the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), against his controversial draft law. An emergency resolution opposing his draft directive was adopted at the trade union organisation’s Congress in Stockholm today ( 15 June).
The emergency resolution on the Directive on Services in the Internal Market took place in close conjunction with a major (...)
European Energy Unions sign Transnational Solidarity Accord (15 June 2004)
Congress press releaseEPSU delegates have unanimously agreed a transnational solidarity accord for the European Electricity and Gas sectors at their Congress today. The accord states that Companies who violate social standards, or companies that do not sign the appropriate collective agreement for the Electricity sector, will be targeted by all EPSU energy unions.
EPSU’s energy affiliates will engage in a solidarity campaign to ensure compliance of the company with these standards. (...)
?Legislative Standstill? call to protect Public Services (14 June 2004)
Congress press releaseThe legislative proposals and public comments of European Commissioner, Mr. Fritz Bolkestein provoked “outrage” at the opening of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) Congress in Stockholm, leading to a call for a “legislative standstill” in relation to the increasingly notorious Bolkestein directive. This was seen as essential to protecting and promoting public services.
The outrage against recent comments from the Bolkestein camp in the European (...)
Europe’s energy workers step up action for public services and support Bulgarian unions (3 May 2004)
The unions organising electricity workers in CITUB and Podkrepa, the two Bulgarian trade union confederations, will take regional and national action 3 and 12 May. The unions are protesting ill thought out plans of the government to privatise a number of distribution companies. The actions come after the government refused to engage in dialogue with the unions on the plans and their effects for workers and citizens. The bidders for the companies are familiar names in the European (...)President Prodi shares trade union concerns on future of public services in the EU (5 April 2004)
“ The longer we wait for positive concrete action on Services of General Interest (SGI), the harder it becomes to demonstrate that workers’ rights and public services remain part of the EU equation. Otherwise, all that will be left is growing citizens’ disenchantment with the EU.” This was the key message an ETUC-headed delegation also composed of its service federations, EPSU, UNI-Europa, ETF and ETUCE, conveyed to the President of the Commission, Romano Prodi, at a meeting on 31 March in (...)Public service unions deplore Parliament’s pro-business vote on internal market strategy (12 March 2004)
The 11 March plenary vote on the report on the Internal market strategy priorities 2003-2006 sends worrying signals for the future of social Europe. In an unholy alliance of Christian Democrats and Liberals, the European Parliament voted for an Internal Market that will only serve the private interests of big business to the detriment of Europe’s public interest. This majority block defeated several amendments arguing for a more balanced social Europe. It also makes a farce of the ongoing (...)Our Europe - Europe that’s us - Action Day on 2 April 2004 in Brussels
In a framework of our campaign, the ETUC Executive Committee agreed to organise a European-wide Action day on the 2nd/3rd April 2004. The ETUC is aware that many of organisations are involved in national activities. However, to make quite visible that the 2nd April is a European Action day, ETUC would welcome if you could send a delegation from your organisation to participate in this (...)Parliament urged to vote no to water liberalisation (9 March 2004)
On Wednesday 10 March, the European Parliament will vote in plenary on the Miller report on the Commission’s Internal Market Strategy Priorities 2003-2006. The draft report, as adopted in the Parliament’s Internal Market and Legal Affairs Committee, is not acceptable. It argues for water liberalisation, views the Internal Market solely as the playground of big business and has rejected most amendments calling for a more socially balanced approach to the internal market. It also calls for (...)Trade unions and the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue (10 February 2004)
A recent meeting of Europe’s energy unions, organized by EPSU, considered the growing dependence of the EU on oil and gas from countries outside of the EU, especially Russia. Russia exports a major part of its oil and gas to the EU and the EU imports a growing share of its energy sources from Russia. The EU and Russia are also examining whether to interconnect the networks for transmission of electricity. Major European energy companies are investors in Russia while Russian companies such (...)Portuguese national strike in Public Administration 23 January
On 23 January 2004, the Portuguese public services trade unions held a National Strike in Public Administration. The aim of the strike was to secure:real negotiations;
quality public services;
real reform of the public service,
and to oppose:
the change in the retirement status;
the privatization of essentials state services.
The strike intends to send a message to the Portuguese government that workers will not only not accept this blatant disregard of their legal right to be involved (...)
Study on black-outs draws attention to human factor and public interest (15/12/03)
A new study Blackouts: “Do liberalisation and privatisation increase the risk?” by Dave Hall and Steve Thomas draws attention to the consequences employment cuts can have on the provision of electricity as an essential service. EPSU commissioned the study from Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) on the occasion of the Council of Ministers for Energy, 15 December 2003. The Council will consider the package of measures to promote security of supply proposed by the European (...)Unions and employer agree joint work on lifelong learning in public administrations (08/12/03)
Press releaseItaly’s Deputy Chief Cabinet of the Ministry for Public Administration and Director General for Public Administration, Mr Antonio Naddeo, met with EPSU, the European Federation of Public Service Unions, to discuss social dialogue and lifelong learning in national administrations on 4 December 2003, Rome.
Too often labour market reforms are not associated with the need for better and continuous training of the workforce. “It is important that all reforms keep the human being in (...)
Social Implications of the internal market in electricity, Tallinn Conference (21-22/11/03)
Employers’ and trade union representatives of the energy sector of the Baltic countries are meeting on 21st-22nd November in the Estonian capital Tallinn to discuss the social implications of the European Union internal market in electricity, whose rules the new Member States joining the Community have to apply. The conference, organised by the Union of the Electricity Industry-EURELECTRIC, representing the employers and EPSU/EMCEF for the trade unions, takes place within the official (...)Social Implications of the Internal Market for Electricity - Balkan Regional Conference (7-8/11/03)
Employers’ and trade unions representatives of the energy sector of the Balkan countries are meeting, on the 7th and 8th of November 2003 at the Best Western Parc Hotel from Bucharest, to discuss the social implications of the European Union internal market for electricity, whose rules the new member states joining the Community over the next three years have to apply. Representatives of employees and trade unions from Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus, Italy and Greece attend the (...)Did Commission get it wrong? New package addresses failures of Internal Market for electricity and gas (11/12/2003)
The European Commission adopted a package of measures to address the failures of the internal market for electricity and gas on 9 December 2003.The proposals for Directives are a clear signal that liberalised energy markets do not deliver a reliable and continuous service. Government and regulatory oversight remains essential. Governments will have to ensure reserve capacity and investments in the networks, something the energy companies will not provide out of good will, and for which (...)
Social Implications of the Internal Market for Electricity - Visegrad Conference (19-20/09/03))
The new EU Member States will implement the internal market and open their markets, first for large industrial electricity users and in a second stage for households, "The internal market will have an effect on jobs, pay and working conditions. It is important that unions and employers discuss this", says Jiri Kubicek, President of the Czech energy workers union OSE. "Social dialogue between unions and employers and with the government is essential to address these consequences", he adds. (...)EPSU, CEMR, EUROCITIES challenge the views of the Commission on Services of General Interest (16/09/03)
for the Joint Statementsee also EPSU-CEMR-EUROCITIES in the European Parliament, a round table discussion
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