The World Social Forum in Porto Alegre will see the launch of the global campaign to reduce poverty. Trade unions have signed up to the campaign and the general secretary of ICFTU will address a conference together with Brazilian President Lula. EPSU’s sister federation PSI supports the campaign which is based on a broad coalition of groups. For more information please consult ICFTU. You can also go to the website of the (...)

Dear Colleagues,
At the beginning of 2005 I would like to extend the Secretariat’s greetings to all of you.
We have witnessed only recently one of the most horrendous disasters in the history of mankind. It is hardly possible to find appropriate words to express the deep shock and sorrow we experience in the face of this tragedy.
As previously, the EPSU Secretariat has refrained from writing Christmas cards to all our affiliates. We have decided instead to donate EUROS 5000, - to the (...)

Representatives of EPSU discussed a series of urgent issues with the new Commissioner responsible for social affairs and employment, Vladimir Spidla: the revision of the working time directive, social services of general interest, services directive, the social dialogue and the social dimension of the South East European Energy Community. The Commissioner was responsive to several points. The EPSU delegation was lead by EPSU president Anna Salfi and included vice-president Anne-Marie (...)

Following the rules for consultation on inter-sectoral agreements, EPSU votes in favour of the ETUC-UNICE/CEEP agreement on stress. The quorum was reached. A qualified majority expressed itself in favour of the proposal (see draft framework agreement attached).

THE EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION CALLS ON THE CANDIDATES FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO SOCIAL EUROPE
The European elections on 13 June represent a major test for the future of Europe in general, and Social Europe in particular. For the first time, electors in 25 countries will come to the ballot box, and their votes should redirect the political agenda towards the strong European social dimension that the trade union movement has been demanding. In (...)

The Belgian confederations CSC and FGTB with the support of ETUC and many social action groups will organise a demonstration to underline their concerns about the so-called Bolkestein Directive, 5 June. This Directive seeks to eliminate barriers to trade for services and introduces the country of origin principle.
The demonstration starts at 1400 at the ETUC office, Boulevard Albert II, 5 - Brussels.
(Read more in ETUC (...)

The ETUC Steering Committee meeting on 13 May, expressed their shock and abhorrence at the spiralling atrocities revealed daily in Iraq.
They underlined their utter condemnation and revulsion at the many and brutal murders in Iraq. They called for the immediate and safe release of all hostages in Iraq and for an end to the vile practice of kidnapping.
They also condemned acts of abuse and violence by coalition forces against prisoners detained in Iraq. They called for a full and open (...)

In a more than 330-page survey the ETUI presents the current situation regarding the legal recognition of fundamental social rights. The revised and updated version of Fundamental social rights in the European Union, Comparative tables and documents provides information on a subject that has been of constant political relevance in the EU since 1989. The report contains the text of relevant international and European instruments adopted by the United Nations, the International Labour (...)

The date of May 1st, 2004 constitutes an historic moment in European Integration. It signifies much more than an enlargement of the European Union from 15 to 25 countries with 455 million inhabitants. It is in fact a real reunification of Europe which the Second World War had left divided against the will of its citizens.
The ETUC has already underlined that this integration presents a unique opportunity to bring together all the peoples of Europe on the basis of fundamental democratic (...)

25 November - the European Federation of Public Service Unions celebrated its 25th birthday at a reception on Tuesday 25th November. President Anna Salfi thanked the assembled affiliates and guests for their contributions in making EPSU THE voice of public service workers in Europe and the largest industry federation in the ETUC. General Secretary Carola Fischbach-Pyttel gave some examples of the successes of EPSU over the past quarter century. They included the steps towards a social (...)