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Back2011 will be a decisive year for workers and employees around Europe. This has been one of the main messages during this year’s New Year’s Reception, organized by AK and ÖGB in Brussels.
AK and ÖGB New Year’s Reception 2011 calls for political change in Europe
2011 will be a decisive year for workers and employees around Europe. This has been one of the main messages during this year’s New Year’s Reception, organized by AK and ÖGB in Brussels. AK President Herbert Tumpel and ÖGB President Erich Foglar renewed their political support for the introduction of a European Financial Transaction Tax and a robust regulation of financial markets. The Presidents and the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), John Monks, strongly opposed the interference of the European Commission in national wage bargaining, as had been the case previously in Ireland, Greece and Romania
AK and ÖGB New Year’s Reception sets strong trade mark
With strong attendance from politics, the EU institutions, as well as trade unions impressively proved that the Brussels offices of AK and ÖGB form part of a broad network of partners actively engaging in the promotion of the social interest of workers and employees in Europe. Special guests this year: ETUC General Secretary John Monks and the European Commissioner for Social Affairs, László Andor. ÖGB Vice-President Sabine Oberhauser led through the evening, and Austria’s new Permanent Representative to the EU, Walter Grahammer, sent a welcome address.
AK and ÖGB demand a political change of direction for 2011
The year 2011 will show if there is a real political will to effectively regulate financial markets, and if the plans for stronger coordination of economic policies within the EU will merely be a continuation of failed neoliberal concepts. The EU internal market must be complemented by a strong social dimension, i.e. common high social and taxation standards, as well as the enforcement of national standards in an increasingly European labour market. A social design for the EU labour market will be a top priority, not least against the backdrop of the opening of labour markets in May 2011.
A strong signal from the trade unions also in 2011
It is pivotal that workers and employees around Europe have a strong say in European decision making, particularly in times when the EU is more and more divided between rich and poor, economic powerhouses and deficit culprits, super-competitive Member States and those that are being attacked by financial markets. Trade Unions around Europe will not tolerate the continuous attempts by the European Commission to interfere in national wage bargaining and social dialogue via so-called “recommendations”, as witnessed in Ireland and Greece.
Lunch Debate in the European Parliament: The voice of workers and employees has been clearly heard
As part of their visit to political Brussels, AK President Tumpel and ÖGB President Foglar also engaged in a debate with Austrian and German MEPs of all political groups as well as the President of the Socialists and Democrats in the EP, Martin Schulz, on all relevant matters of economic politics. During the discussions, it turned out that there was broad agreement on the necessity for the introduction of a European Financial Transaction Tax. The European Commission’s assault on national wage bargaining was sharply rejected.
To gain an insight into the Brussels visit of the Presidents of AK & ÖGB as well as the New Year’s Reception 2011, watch our video here: Video New Year’s Reception 2011
See the pictures of the evening here: Photo Gallery New Year’s Recetion 2011
2011 will be a decisive year for workers and employees around Europe. This has been one of the main messages during this year’s New Year’s Reception, organized by AK and ÖGB in Brussels. AK President Herbert Tumpel and ÖGB President Erich Foglar renewed their political support for the introduction of a European Financial Transaction Tax and a robust regulation of financial markets. The Presidents and the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), John Monks, strongly opposed the interference of the European Commission in national wage bargaining, as had been the case previously in Ireland, Greece and Romania
AK and ÖGB New Year’s Reception sets strong trade mark
With strong attendance from politics, the EU institutions, as well as trade unions impressively proved that the Brussels offices of AK and ÖGB form part of a broad network of partners actively engaging in the promotion of the social interest of workers and employees in Europe. Special guests this year: ETUC General Secretary John Monks and the European Commissioner for Social Affairs, László Andor. ÖGB Vice-President Sabine Oberhauser led through the evening, and Austria’s new Permanent Representative to the EU, Walter Grahammer, sent a welcome address.
AK and ÖGB demand a political change of direction for 2011
The year 2011 will show if there is a real political will to effectively regulate financial markets, and if the plans for stronger coordination of economic policies within the EU will merely be a continuation of failed neoliberal concepts. The EU internal market must be complemented by a strong social dimension, i.e. common high social and taxation standards, as well as the enforcement of national standards in an increasingly European labour market. A social design for the EU labour market will be a top priority, not least against the backdrop of the opening of labour markets in May 2011.
A strong signal from the trade unions also in 2011
It is pivotal that workers and employees around Europe have a strong say in European decision making, particularly in times when the EU is more and more divided between rich and poor, economic powerhouses and deficit culprits, super-competitive Member States and those that are being attacked by financial markets. Trade Unions around Europe will not tolerate the continuous attempts by the European Commission to interfere in national wage bargaining and social dialogue via so-called “recommendations”, as witnessed in Ireland and Greece.
Lunch Debate in the European Parliament: The voice of workers and employees has been clearly heard
As part of their visit to political Brussels, AK President Tumpel and ÖGB President Foglar also engaged in a debate with Austrian and German MEPs of all political groups as well as the President of the Socialists and Democrats in the EP, Martin Schulz, on all relevant matters of economic politics. During the discussions, it turned out that there was broad agreement on the necessity for the introduction of a European Financial Transaction Tax. The European Commission’s assault on national wage bargaining was sharply rejected.
To gain an insight into the Brussels visit of the Presidents of AK & ÖGB as well as the New Year’s Reception 2011, watch our video here: Video New Year’s Reception 2011
See the pictures of the evening here: Photo Gallery New Year’s Recetion 2011