(13 October 2011) The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) salutes the global movement of citizens organizing actions on 15th October.
This movement was launched by millions of young, unemployed and working people in the streets of Spain to protest government austerity policies that affect working men and women, unemployed and other citizens responsible for the crisis. The Spanish movement was inspired by the Arab Spring and has since spread to Israel, the United States, Italy, South Africa, France and many other countries across the globe.
These citizen and labour movements share a demand for alternative solutions to the crisis. Public sector workers in Europe share a great number of the concerns of those that will be marching internationally. The future of our society is to give hope and stability to young people. Governments are now offering the perspective of years of austerity while in many countries unemployment for young people reaches more than 30% reaching over 40% in Spain and Greece. That has to change.
The struggle of European trade unions for sustainable development, for public education and health systems, for the eradication of poverty and for jobs and better pay and conditions converges with the new popular movements. Also we support more transparency and democracy both at the work place as well as in society. The fight against corporate greed and power and corruption is a key issue for us.
We wish the 15-Octubre mobilizations a great success in realizing the demands and aspirations for a better society.
For more information contact: Pablo Sanchez, [email protected] , 00 32 474 62 66 33
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