(12 May 2014) EPSU healthcare unions were the biggest group at the recent meeting organised by the FES (Friedrich Ebert Stiftung) for unions in south east Europe, showing the good organisation and cooperation developed by EPSU affiliates in this sector.
The meeting brought together 110 senior trade union representatives from a range of sectors in 9 countries and was entitled “Empowerment of Trade Unions in Times of Crisis – Challenges in South East Europe.”
Many countries in the region are undergoing restructuring and there are big employment and investment challenges.
FES has supported over the years the establishment of networks in different sectors, facilitating exchanges regarding trade union strategies. These networks are an important instrument to foster trade union cooperation on common issues.
EPSU, IndustriAll, and EFFAT were represented at the meeting and described challenges and priorities for their sectors.
EPSU’s input into the meeting focused on the ECI water campaign as an example of how trade unions can work with civil society to mobilise for social Europe. Also discussed was the EPSU tax justice work, and our concerns regarding ‘flat taxes’ and demands for progressive and fair taxation as a means to ensure the necessary investment for quality public services and other societal needs. Not all trade unions represented oppose ‘flat taxes’, pointing to positive impacts on employment creation and tax evasion that these can have. More discussion on tax justice is needed, alongside the need to improve ‘good governance’ and the effectiveness of the public sector.
Working group sessions discussed trade union renewal strategies and the how to attract young people into trade union as well as how to build broader political influence.
Richard Hyman from the London School of Economics (LSE) prepared the ground for the working groups with a presentation on trends in trade union membership and power (see the presentation attached below).
The FES project in the region will now come to an end but the networking established by the different trade unions will continue.
For details of FES work in South Eastern Europe (SEE)
And for details of FES work for Central and Easter Europe (CEE)
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