Environment/Climate Change, Solidarity
Supporting campaigns, strikes and protests
Solidarity is a core area of our joint European trade union work There are common elements to many of the actions of public service unions as we fight for better pay and working conditions or when we defend trade union rights or protest against privatisation and attacks on public services. Any expression of solidarity is welcomed by unions and it can be a real boost to their campaign when EPSU, its affiliates and other trade union organisations, not only send messages of support but also messages of protest to companies, employers and governments. This briefing gives examples of our solidarity work in recent years.
EPSU Standing Committee on Health and Social Services discusses labour shortages, demonstrations in Brussels, organizing and climate change
After a review of the alarming situation of trade unions in Turkey one year after the earthquake, the 60th Standing Committee discussed strategies to address staff shortages, greening healthcare sector, and its priorities for this year.
Union highlights jobs and pay challenges in tackling energy transition
The SDE energy trade union has raised concerns about the capacity of the energy sector to cope with the green transition. The union highlights slow wage growth in the sector, which is adding to the major challenges in recruiting new staff and the lengthy training required to ensure they have the specific skills needed. The SDE is also worried that existing staff are leaving the energy sector and seeking employment in better-paid positions in other industries. The union points out that a lack of skilled staff will make it difficult to successfully upgrade energy facilities. It has also raised
Two years of war: EPSU in solidarity with Ukrainian workers
After two years of Russian aggression, EPSU reiterates its support to the Ukrainian people. At the international solidarity meeting with Ukrainian and international trade unions held on 22 February 2024, EPSU General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan recalled: “We express our full solidarity with Ukrainian workers, the unions and the people.
International support to Italian ENEL workers
Filctem-CGIL, Flaei-CISL, and Uiltec-UIL are currently mobilising in protest of Enel Group’s decision to make unilateral changes in working hours arrangements, outsourcing operations on the electricity grid, and refusing to renew the remote work agreement.
Communication of the Commission on Europe 2040 climate targets: EPSU calls for a fair, social, inclusive initiative
EPSU welcomes the Communication of the European Commission on Europe's 2040 climate target, in which it recommends a 90% reduction of the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
European elections 2024 – time for politicians to deliver quality public services for all
EPSU publishes our key priorities for the European elections. Much more than a list of demands, EPSU first and foremost calls for a stronger commitment from the EP to protect and promote the democratic values and solidarity mechanisms that have shaped the European project.
ETUC Executive – join the European demo 12 December. Together against austerity and for a Fair Deal for Workers
Leaders of European trade union confederations and European trade union federations discussed the ongoing campaign against austerity, for revised rules for European economic policy and for a Fair Deal for European workers.