EPSU and the trade union family reacted with profound sadness to the devastation caused by two events that took innocent lives. The first was yet another terror attack. This time many young people were effected at a wedding in Gaziantep. Just followed hours later by an earthquake that destroyed whole villages in Italy. We expressed our solidarity to our Turkish and Italian colleagues. We stand by them in such moments of deep grief. We salute the work of the emergency services workers.
EU governments have to decide if they sign CETA or not. Demonstrations are taking place against the agreement. Critical research is published. Canadian unions are united with their European colleagues in opposition to a bad deal. And more is to come with Brussels and Bratislava actions his week. EPSU’s website is fast becoming a point for this and affiliates’ information.
A big gain for Europe’s unions and tax justice campaigners was the demand that Apple pay back €13 billion for dodging its taxes. The spotlight now moves to others such as McDonald’s that need to pay their fair share. That tax avoidance needs a common response is recognised. The European Commission in its State of the Union and the Bratislava European Council said they would tackle this. What the Future of Europe requires is a prospect of decent pay and conditions and well funded quality public services. The Bratislava summit of government leaders had a glaring hole: the social crises was not addressed.
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