(7 December 2010) Our protest action organised on 15 December is the highlight of this December newsletter. We will be showing the red card to the European Council and the European Commission to say "stop to the unbalanced austerity measures! Stop to putting the burden of the crisis on those that are not the responsible: the low paid public sector workers, together with the unemployed, young workers and pensioners".
On the same day our Spanish and Greek affiliates will also be demonstrating against cuts in their terms and conditions. As they, so did the French, Irish and Portuguese workers in the past few weeks when they came out in protest marches against the cuts announced in their countries.
There are other important issues that we have raised with the European institutions. One relates to the worrying situation of the ageing workforce in the Energy sector. We criticize the lack of a proper recruitment and training plan to avoid health and safety hazards and ensure job creation in this sector.
Another important issue is covered in a letter that EPSU, alongside civil society organisation and European trade union federations, has sent to Commissioner Barnier on public procurement. In this regard, I will be speaking also at the European Parliament on 9 December organized by the Socialist and Democrat Faction on the Future of Social Services of General Interest after Lisbon treaty.
Last but not least, this week is full of activity in Brussels. Amongst other things, we are supporting a hearing by Colombian trade unionists to explain the situation of workers and trade union members in the most dangerous country for unions.
And of course, we will host the annual conference on Collective Bargaining (7 and 8 December) where workers from around Europe will discuss the effects of the cuts on the public sector.
Hoping to see you all in Brussels on December 15,
Yours
Carola Fischbach-Pyttel
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