Gas, Transparency & Corruption
ECI : Parliament will have a bigger role thanks to pressure from civil society
On July 5, the European Parliament voted to start institutional negotiations on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) on the basis of the legislative report adopted by the Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee (AFCO) on June 20.
Union mobilises against energy network companies
The FNME-CGT energy union is stepping up its mobilisation of workers in the Enedis and GRDF electricity and gas network companies. The union accuses both companies of focusing on increasing profits at the expense of employees and customers. The companies are pushing through restructuring, outsourcing and job cuts with employees facing work intensification and pressure to deliver services without the proper resources. The union has a range of key demands including an increase in pay and an end to job cuts and outsourcing.
EPSU joins demands for meaningful debate and decision on European Citizens’ Initiatives in European Parliament
EPSU joined with other organisers of European Citizens’ Initiatives and democracy campaigners to demand important changes to the EU regulation covering the European Citizens Initiative.
Energy union threatens strike action over pay
The Federation of Trade Unions Gaz Romania (FSGR) has said it may resort to strike action if the ENGIE energy company doesn't respond to its demands on pay. The union argues that the employers have failed to come up with a reasonable offer and also to provide information needed for the negotiations. The union has been in contact with the Labour Inspectorate to help put pressure on the company to provide the requested data and it hasn't ruled out possible legal action to be accompanied by protests and strikes.
European Parliament considers revised Regulation on the European Citizens’ Initiative
The experience of many campaigners and organisations with running ECI’s has not been positive. Very few were successful and of the successful initiatives the European Commission hardly took notice. The exception was the ECI Right2Water.
The EU Parliament has included important measures to fight #EnergyPoverty but ruled out concrete measures to protect the most vulnerable
This week the European Parliament voted its position on the electricity market directive, missing the last opportunity to include a comprehensive definition of energy poverty in the new 2030 EU Energy Package.
European commission’s will to phase out regulated prices tempered by Council of the EU
In the last few months the European Commission, with its fourth energy package « clean energy for all Europeans » has called for the end of regulated tariffs for all domestic users within five years.
Energy union organises action over pay
The FNME-CGT energy union mobilised workers for strike action across the sector on 29-30 November in protest at the employers' pay offer. Following a pay freeze, the combination of increased social security payments and inflation mean that workers have seen a 2.8% fall in purchasing power. The union says that companies are paying out high dividends while continuing to impose austerity on employees.
European Parliament supports demand for whistleblower protection – you can help by signing the petition
Following a campaign of unions such as EPSU and Eurocadres, many social action groups and MEPs of several parties, the European Parliament adopted a report on the need for an EU initiative on whistleblower protection, 24 October.