(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.
EPSU has been informed that a number of countries that wish to end the individual opt-out, are coming under enormous political pressure to concede on the issue. This is despite the fact that the 'individual opt-out' directly challenges the health and safety rationale of the directive. In April 2005, the European Parliament proposed a balanced compromise in the so-called CERCAS report, but this was summarily dismissed by the Council under the advisement of the European Commission.
EPSU General Secretary, Carola Fischbach-Pyttel stated that; "it is shocking to see EU leaders attempt to railroad through an agreement. This last-minute tactic shows no respect for the political process, for the European Parliament, and most importantly, by putting the 'individual opt-out' back on the table, it shows no respect for the Workers of the European Union".
Ms. Fischbach-Pyttel again emphasised that; "the only way forward was to look to the European Parliament compromise as a way out of this political morass". She pledged that; "EPSU will, through its national affiliates, call on the European Council to respect the rights of workers and to call for an end to the individual opt-out".
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