As we go to press the CETA trade agreement will not be signed. Articles on the various demonstrations and political actions against this unfair trade deal can be found in this issue. Trade Union and civil society support for the Walloon region’s decision to oppose CETA, due to concerns about its impact on investment in public services and its treat to democracy, also feature in this edition. It is the culmination of 6 years of struggle started with a joint report of EPSU and Canadian public service unions.
Our concerns about public services and the need for investment are strongly reflected in number of articles in this latest edition of the EPSU Newsletter.
The new General Secretary of CGIL FP, Serena Sorrentino, in conversations with EPSU’s General Secretary sets out the challenges facing Italian public sector workers, who have faced years of wage freezes. As part of a joint unions’ efforts there will be renewed calls for an end to the austerity policies which are holding back public investment, she confirms.
Meanwhile, we report on Jan Willem Goudriaan addressing the recent Tripartite Summit for Growth and Employment, which was hosted by Commission President Junker, Council President Tusk and Slovak Prime Minister Fico. EPSU’s General Secretary made a strong case for increased investment in Europe’s public services, as agreed by all social partners in a joint communique, whole calling for an end to the austerity policies which are too closely linked to the EU institutions, especially as these policies damage their reputations and undermine their legitimacy.
