The European Trade Union Confederation ( ETUC ) is the major trade union organisation representing workers at the European level. In its role as a European social partner, the ETUC works both in a consulting role with the European Commission and negotiates agreements and work programmes with European employers . It coordinates the national and sectoral policies of its affiliates on social and economic matters, particularly in the framework of the EU institutional processes, including European economic governance and the EU Semester .
31-568: The ETUC was established in 1973, to coordinate and represent workers and their trade unions at the European level, and has grown as more countries have joined the EU. At present, the ETUC represents almost 45 million workers across Europe, affiliated to 93 national trade union confederations from 41 European countries, and 10 European Trade Union Federations (ETUFs). It includes both a Women's Committee and
62-642: A Youth Committee, which represent the interests of these two groups within its membership respectively. Currently, the General Secretary of the organisation is Esther Lynch, who was elected in December 2022. The President is Wolfgang Katzian, from OEGB of Austria. The Deputy General Secretaries are Claes-Mikael Stahl and Isabelle Schömann; the Confederal Secretaries are Giulio Romani, Tea Jarc and Ludovic Voet. The ETUC coordinates
93-457: A binding effect. II – (1992–1999) An accord between the social partners, signed on 31 October 1991 and subsequently annexed to the 1992 Maastricht Treaty in the form of a Social Protocol, enabled European social partner agreements to have legal force through a Council decision. In 1997, the agreement was written into the Treaty of Amsterdam (Articles 154 and 155 TFEU). European social dialogue led to
124-484: A green economy, fair taxation and quality jobs for all. It opposes precarious work and austerity policies. Stronger unions The ETUC regards collective bargaining and social dialogue, and workplace and industrial democracy as key to innovation, productivity and growth in Europe. It therefore promotes capacity building for trade unions across Europe. The social dialogue between the ETUC and European employers supplements
155-626: A high-carbon to a low carbon economy ." In the 1980s, "in the United States, Tony Mazzocchi of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union proposed a "Superfund for Workers", which would compensate and retrain those who moved out of environmentally hazardous jobs. It's widely believed that Mazzocchi was the first to use the term just transition, and this superfund was meant to parallel the U.S. Superfund Act of 1980 – national legislation to tax corporations to clean up hazardous waste sites across
186-439: A holistic approach to workers' involvement, including stronger information and consultation rights, board-level participation in European company forms, and support for European Works Councils. The ETUC presses for information and consultation for workers, in particular, to anticipate change or company restructuring (to cut job losses), and throughout the subcontracting chain. The ETUC is committed to pursuing social progress across
217-760: A just energy transition in the two countries. In the European Union, the concerns facing workers in fossil fuel industries are addressed by the Just Transition mechanism in the European Green Deal . The funding and mechanism helps fossil fuel-dependent regions within the European Union to transition to a greener economy . A just transition from coal is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development . A 2021 review of legal theories for climate litigation and
248-547: A multinational team of around 60 staff members and receives financial support from the European Union . The ETUI is recognised as a centre of excellence in several areas of research such as European industrial relations (including European Works Council , worker participation, European social dialogue , etc.) and working conditions (health and safety, exposure to dangerous substances – REACH, etc.). The research department consists of three subject units: Every year
279-416: A range of social interventions needed to secure workers' rights and livelihoods when economies are shifting to sustainable production , primarily combating climate change and protecting biodiversity . In Europe, advocates for a just transition want to unite social and climate justice , for example, for coal workers in coal-dependent developing regions who lack employment opportunities beyond coal. In
310-590: Is articulated in the EU Treaty. It takes part in bi-annual Tripartite Social Summits; responds to European Commission proposals; liaises with a cross-party Intergroup of MEPs in the European Parliament; and coordinates trade union participation in a number of advisory bodies, including the tripartite EU agencies for vocational training (CEDEFOP), improvement of living and working conditions (Eurofound), and health and safety (EU-OSHA). It works closely with
341-432: Is launching campaigns and actions, including on a fairer, sustainable economic model, quality job creation, just transition and fair trade, higher pay and wage convergence for European workers, better protection for disadvantaged, precarious and self-employed workers, and more democracy at work, in the economy and in EU institutions. European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) The European Trade Union Institute (ETUI)
SECTION 10
#1732765009619372-776: Is the independent research and training centre of the European Trade Union Confederation ( ETUC ). Its mission is to support, strengthen, and stimulate the European trade union movement by building bridges between research and labor. The ETUI was formed in 2005 through the merger of three specialist bodies: the European Trade Union Institute, the European Trade Union College, and the Trade Union Technical Bureau. It employs
403-622: Is to encourage European unity, peace and stability, enabling working people and their families to enjoy full human, civil, social and employment rights and high living standards. To achieve this, it promotes the European social model , combining sustainable economic growth with ever-improving living and working conditions, including full employment, well-functioning social dialogue and industrial relations, social protection, equal opportunities, good quality jobs, social inclusion, and open and democratic policy-making process that involves citizens fully in
434-878: The European Investment Bank announced a set of just transition common principles agreed upon with multilateral development banks, which also align with the Paris Agreement . The principles refer to focusing financing on the transition to net zero carbon economies , while keeping socioeconomic effects in mind, along with policy engagement and plans for inclusion and gender equality, all aiming to deliver long-term economic transformation. The African Development Bank , Asian Development Bank , Islamic Development Bank , Council of Europe Development Bank , Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank , European Bank for Reconstruction and Development , New Development Bank , and Inter-American Development Bank are among
465-402: The multilateral development banks that have vowed to uphold the principles of climate change mitigation and a Just Transition. The World Bank Group also contributed. In 2022, two countries - Indonesia and Vietnam - were invited to take part in a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework which aims at mobilizing more than USD 35 billion of public and private financing to support
496-567: The ETUC also started to coordinate trade union participation in EU economic governance and the Semester process. Every year the ETUC updates its priorities and initiatives on industrial relations and wage developments, with a view to improving working and living conditions across Europe, achieving better wages for all workers, ensuring equal treatment, combating inequalities, supporting capacity building for sound industrial relations and promote collective bargaining in all EU countries. The ETUC favours
527-428: The ETUC, or European Works' Councils , SE works council and special negotiation bodies (such as company level employee representatives) can participate to the training. Notable people associated with ETUI include Jane Parker, New Zealand professor of employment relations, and senior researcher at ETUI. Just transition Just transition is a framework developed by the trade union movement to encompass
558-584: The ETUI, publishes Benchmarking Working Europe , the ETUI's annual stock-take of macro-economic, social and bargaining conditions in Europe. Previously European Trade Union College, the Education Department of the ETUI provides training and learning activities for trade union officials and leaders, shop stewards, young officers, and unionists. The department delivers about 100 courses a year to more than 2000 participants. Trade unionist's members of
589-419: The EU – an objective enshrined in the EU Treaty. It, therefore, calls for high-quality public services and social protection, gender equality, worker mobility, and high health and safety standards, with an end to social dumping and discrimination. The ETUC defends the European social model as a key factor in promoting not only social justice and cohesion but also economic growth, productivity and competitiveness in
620-583: The EU. When necessary, the ETUC pursues its vision of Social Europe through direct action, such as Euro-demonstrations and campaigns, and works with civil society partners to achieve social justice and progress for workers and their families across Europe. The ETUC is recognised by the European Union, by the Council of Europe and by the European Free Trade Association as the only representative cross-sectoral trade union organisation at
651-552: The European level. At its Congress in Paris, the ETUC launched a broad discussion on the role and future of trade unionism in Europe, in the face of globalisation and austerity policies affecting society in Europe and the rest of the world. The discussion has been widened to address the future of the EU, facing challenges like the refugee emergency, Brexit, rising populism and xenophobia, and widespread discontent among citizens and workers about their economic and social conditions. The ETUC
SECTION 20
#1732765009619682-711: The Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration, highlighting the importance of just transition as mentioned in the Paris Agreement, the ILO's Guidelines, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development . The Declaration encourages all relevant United Nations agencies to proceed with its implementation and consider the issue of just transition when drafting and implementing parties' nationally determined contributions , or NDCs. At COP26 ,
713-750: The Workers' Group in the Economic and Social Committee. At the meetings of the Macroeconomic Dialogue (MED), established in 1998, the social partners discuss economic policy with the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the commission. The ETUC wants greater trade union participation in economic governance at both EU and national levels. The ETUC supports public investment,
744-539: The activities of the 45 Interregional Trade Union Councils (IRTUCs), which organise trade union cooperation across national borders in the EU and defend the right to free movement of workers. In cooperation with the European Trade Union Institute , the ETUC has set up UnionMigrantNet , a network of trade union contact points within the member states, with the aim of assisting migrants and their families. Other trade union structures operating under
775-783: The auspices of the ETUC are Eurocadres (Council of European Professional and Managerial Staff) and the European Federation of Retired and Older People (FERPA). The ETUC's delegate congress, which takes place every four years, approves and amends the constitution, determines the strategy and general policy of the Confederation and elects its leadership team. All policies and activities are agreed by affiliates' representatives, who maintain their own independence. The 15th congress took place in Berlin in May 2023. The ETUC's mission
806-574: The country". At the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, France, or COP 21 , unions and just transition advocates convinced the Parties to include language regarding just transition and the creation of decent work in the Paris Agreement 's preamble. At the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland, or COP 24 , the Heads of State and Government adopted
837-422: The decisions that affect them. At the 2015 Paris Congress, the ETUC agreed on a Manifesto and an Action Programme for four years until 2019. These documents focus on three objectives: A strong economy The ETUC works with all the EU governing bodies: Presidency, Council, Commission and Parliament. Its right to represent the interests of European workers in the formulation of EU macroeconomic and employment policy
868-492: The implementation of three framework agreements (parental leave in 1995 – revised in 2009, part-time work in 1997, and fixed-term contracts in 1999) via EU Directives. III – (1999–2005) In December 2001, the European social partners presented a "common contribution" to the Laeken European Council. In accordance with the 1991 agreement (Art. 155 par 2 TFEU), this moved towards greater independence and autonomy of
899-522: The national social dialogues in the Member States. The ETUC supports European Works Councils, and workers' consultation and participation in decision-making. EU cross-industry social dialogue was formally launched in 1985, with the support of former Commission President Jacques Delors . It has evolved through three stages: I – (1985–1991) Bipartite activities culminated in the adoption of resolutions, declarations and common opinions, which did not have
930-460: The past years, a number of organizations have deployed the concept of a Just Transition with respect to environmental and/or climate justice. With regards to climate change mitigation , the IPCC defines just transition as follows: "A set of principles, processes and practices that aim to ensure that no people, workers, places, sectors, countries or regions are left behind in the transition from
961-429: The social dialogue. Since 2002, the social partners have concluded autonomous agreements on: These are implemented by the social partners themselves at national, regional and enterprise levels. The social partners' new Multiannual Work Programme runs until 2017 and foresees an accord on active ageing. In the field of collective bargaining and wage policy, the ETUC has coordinated affiliates' activities since 1999. In 2012,