Brussels, 15/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - The 12th Congress of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is to be held in Athens on 16-19 May 2011 on “Mobilising for Social Europe”, the watchword being to step up pressure and continue the fight for a Europe that is fairer, a Europe of social justice, and a Europe that creates not only more but also quality jobs. European workers are today faced with major challenges, especially in social terms, and a great deal of work still lies ahead. What were the first signs of a financial crisis have become a real economic and financial tsunami. In this context, the Athens Congress is a crucial step in the development of the European trade union movement, by trade union leaders of all European countries, of a strategic action plan to deal with questions of austerity and European economic governance.
The work of the Congress will be discussed in six round tables hinged on issues contained in the Congress document (analyses and subsequent voting): Round table 1: Workers pay for the financial crisis - the alternatives? Stock is taken on economic governance, employment and financial regulation. Round table 2: Is the EU becoming more unequal and what is the effect of the crisis? A debate on the European social model for greater equality and social cohesion. Round table 3: The single market - respect for labour rights and public services? Round table 4: Europe's “southern neighbourhood” - ways forward? Solidarity in action for fair and equitable mobility, and solidarity in action for health and safety and the workplace. Round table 5: What is the future? Europe's industries, sustainable jobs, combating precarious work? Solidarity in action for fair globalisation, and solidarity in action for a genuine social dialogue at all levels, and a debate on means. Round table 6: organising, campaigning, social networking.
On Monday 16 May at 5.30pm, the ETUC Award for Outstanding Services to Social Europe will be awarded to Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission. On Tuesday 17 May at 5.30pm, the Brian Bercusson Award will be presented by Niklas Bruun and Catherine Bercusson to Rebecca Zahn (European University Institute, Florence, Italy). On Thursday 19 May at 11.45am, Commission President José Manuel Barroso will deliver an address.
The Congress will also elect the new general secretary of the ETUC for the period 2011-2015. Bernadette Segol, UNI Europa Regional Secretary, is nominated to replace John Monks, whose tenure has expired.
In a press release, the ETUC points out that it firmly rejects the policy of austerity adopted by European governments and endorsed by the European Commission because, once again, it is hitting European workers through the wide-scale reduction of wages, public services and workers' rights. What is more, the ETUC adds, European economic governance, both in theory and as it is being put into practice by the European Commission, is making the living and working conditions of workers worse by directly attacking wages and the autonomy of collective bargaining. This is one of the reasons why European trade unions have taken to the streets in recent months, the latest euro-demonstration having taken place in Budapest on 9 April (see EUROPE 10355). For further information see: http://www.etuc.org (G.B./transl.jl)