Brussels, 08/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Executive Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) met in Brussels on 6 and 7 June and agreed on its future line on three important issues facing 'social Europe', namely the debate on the future of the EU and the EU constitution, the Services Directive and the Working Time Directive. At a press conference, the ETUC General Secretary John Monks said: 'We need a stronger social dimension aligned to the Constitution,' like the social protocol mooted by Angela Merkel. John Monks said the ETUC would be campaigning for trade union rights at EU level, as well as more information and consultation within companies. Above all, he said, it was important that the EU did not identify with employers' Europe, adding that the ETUC did not want an EU of the privileged. Monks added that the ETUC continued to support the existing constitution draft as the 'best available option.' On the Services Directive, 'trade union leaders agreed on the need for more time to assess the revised proposal from the European Council before it goes to second reading in the European Parliament'. Monk confirmed the ETUC's demand for the opt-out clause to be phased out of the Working Time Directive, and for on call periods to be included in working time (see EUROPE 9204).