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In an historic decision, the European Council and Parliament agreed last week that Ukraine and Moldova would be given candidate status to join the EU while the ETUC Executive Committee agreed to consider applications for affiliation from the Georgian, Moldovan, and Ukrainian trade union

Many unions use 23 June, the United Nations Public Service Day, to draw attention to the struggles of public service workers. Public service workers deliver 24/7, independent of who the employer is. We are caring for nearly 750 million people in Europe alone, every day. Our work is not about filling

31 May is a day of action and strikes of Belgian public service workers. The unions demand higher pay, better conditions and pensions, investment in public services and respect for the work of public service workers. All unions joined. 2 June CNE and Acv-Puls organise a demonstration for pay, better

The pandemic has hit many workers hard, especially those exposed to infected persons like in health and social care. They had – and continue to have - a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Thousands of health and care workers died. The European Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work, a

On 4-5 May, Europe’s public service union leaders met for the first time in a physical meeting since the beginning of the pandemic and dealt with a very full agenda. The EPSU Executive Committee started with urgent discussions over developments in Belarus and Ukraine. Belarus The meeting expressed

The first of May is a day to remember the victories of the workers’ movement and to highlight our demands for the alternative to the exploitation of women, men and our environment. This year our celebration is overshadowed by the aggression of the Russian army and war in Ukraine. We think of the

As we celebrate world health day the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on Russian troops to stop the systematic attacks on hospitals and medical infrastructure. The WHO has recorded many such incidents. The Russian government denies its troops have done anything wrong and maintains that its

Despite the International Court of Justice demanding that Russia end its hostilities, the war in Ukraine continues at great human cost. While many in Russia deny that their troops target civilians, the destruction of villages, towns and cities is plain for all to see. Ten million people have been

Many of us are worried about what is happening with friends and comrades in Ukraine as the scale of devastation inflicted by Russia’s army increases as does the human toll. The World Health Organisation has confirmed that schools and hospitals have been hit and medical workers killed. The

After weeks of warmongering, escalating rhetoric by leaders of NATO-countries and Russia, arms deliveries and a build-up of armed forces, Russia sent armed forces into Ukraine on the morning of 24 February. The invasion has been condemned by many including the Secretary-General of the United Nations

Published at the end of January, the book Les Fossoyeurs (Gravediggers) has caused a scandal in France. It is the result of a three-year investigation into the working of the private elderly care industry. Author and journalist Victor Castanet explores in great depth the consequences of the

Brussels was faced with another violent protest of anti-vaxxers and others last Sunday 22 January. An estimated 50, 000 people from across Europe came to demand freedom from the kinds of restrictions – like COVID-safe-passes and mandatory vaccinations – that are aimed at stopping the spread of the

Our best wishes for 2022 to you and yours. I wish you all good health and that the new year brings many victories for unions. Thank you for the many cards and new year’s wishes that we received. My colleagues in the EPSU Secretariat and I appreciate it greatly - it gives us a boost to start the new

Digital Technologies The European Commission published its long-awaited proposal to regulate workers employed by platforms and the algorithms that dictate their work. Demands of the exploited riders and others supported by the European union movement are included in the proposal. A central point is

At last week’s EPSU Executive Committee, public service union leaders from across Europe called for a joint day of action on 23 June next year – the global day for public service workers. We will celebrate workers’ contributions to our communities and call for better pay and conditions and