A turning point: Why the CJEU’s minimum wages ruling matters
By upholding the Minimum Wages Directive, the CJEU has set a clear signal: fair wages and strong collective bargaining are central to Europe’s social future. The judgment empowers governments to lift wage floors and tackle in-work poverty with renewed confidence.
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Programme Commission discusses CESI priorities for 2018
On January 26, the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of CESI's horizontal Commissions and sectoral Trade Councils -CESI's specialised internal forums of debate for member organisations- met in Brussels to discuss their priorities for 2018. Like every year in January, this meeting of the 'Programme Commission' kicked off the new year's activities of CESI's Trade Councils and Commissions.
CESI reaction to Council of Ministers’ decision to remove countries from the tax haven blacklist
CESI at the first European Education Summit
On January 25 a CESI delegation participated in the first European Education Summit organised by the European Commission in Brussels. Having placed education as a priority of the EU’s political agenda, the European Commission has repeatedly highlighted the tremendous challenges brought up by the digital age. The new era does not only require the necessary new skills and life-long learning, it also requires, as the European Education Commissioner Tibor Navracic underlined in his opening address, “rediscovering the value of our values.“
An eye on the World Economic Forum in Davos
The World Economic Forum is meeting once again in Davos on January 23-26 2018. Being aware of the importance of the Forum, it remains incomprehensible for CESI that trade union and civil society representatives remain excluded – especially in times when sustainability and the investment in the human factor becomes of fundamental importance for the cohesion of societies.
More investment in social infrastructure (SII) needed, new report says
On January 23 the European Commission and the European Long-Term Investors (ELTI) Association published a report on 'Boosting Investment in Social Infrastructure in Europe'. Chaired by the former European Commission President Romano Prodi and French Economic and Finance Minister Christian Sautter, the report comes to the conclusion that both public and private investment in social affairs are insufficient in Europe. CESI welcomes the report which underpins its longstanding demand for more social investments in Europe.
Revised written statement directive: A step forward and missed opportunity at the same time
Today, the European Commission published a long-awaited legislative proposal on a revision of the EU written statement directive 91/533. Along with an extended 'information package' that employees should be obliged to receive when starting a new job and new minimum rights for a better predictability of work, the proposal suggests a rebranding of the legislation as "directive on transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union". In CESI's view, the European Commission's proposal is a step forward and missed opportunity at the same time.
Trade Council on Local and Regional Administration constitutes
On December 5, CESI's Trade Council on 'Local and Regional Administration' (LRA) held its constitutive meeting after CESI's Congress in December last year. Following the elections of the presidency and vice-presidency for the term until 2020, the trade council, as CESI's internal members' committee for deliberation and positioning in the field of local and regional administration, discussed some of CESI's most pressing European priorities that concern the employment conditions of local and regional administration employees in Europe.
CESI supports the creation of PESCO and more cooperation in defence
On December 11 the Council adopted a decision to establish the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), as laid down in the Lisbon Treaty. This framework of cooperation will enable the 25 Member States party to the decision* to work more closely to "develop jointly defence capabilities, invest in shared projects, and enhance the operational readiness and contribution of their armed forces." Thomas Sohst, President of CESI's 'Defence' Trade Council and affiliate of CESI's member organisation DBwV (the German Armed Forces Association), welcomes the Council's decision.
Trade Council ‘Post & Telecoms’ meets in Brussels on social dialogue, cross-border parcel deliveries
Today, CESI's Trade Council 'Post & Telecoms' met in Brussels. Next to an evaluation of CESI's new participation in the European sectoral social dialogue on postal services, a deliberation on the ongoing negotiations on a new EU regulation on cross-border parcel delivery services were discussed.
European Commission roadmap to deepen the EMU: CESI expresses cautious optimism
On Wednesday, the European Commission published a long-awaited roadmap for deepening Europe's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Referring to a "window of opportunity" for action, the European Commission proposes to establish a European Monetary Fund, the integration of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) into the EU's legal framework and new budgetary instruments for a more stable euro area within the EU framework. The European Commission also wishes to create a new post of European Minister of Economy and Finance to implement a deeper EMU. In a first reaction to the proposals made by the Commission, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger expressed cautious optimism.
CESI Youth holds first Congress in Rome
Following a three-year establishment phase by mandate from the Presidium of CESI, on November 30 CESI Youth held its first Congress in Rome. Matthäus Fandrejewski from CESI’s German member organisation dbb was elected as the CESI Youth Representative and Valentina Viviani from CESI’s Italian affiliate Cisal as the CESI Youth Vice-Representative and this for a period of four years.
European Semester Autumn Package: Promising shift in language in the 2018 Annual Growth Survey
On November 22, the European Commission published this years' European Semester Autumn Package. The package, which includes the 2018 Annual Growth Survey (AGS), jumpstarts the next European Semester, the EU's annual cycle of national economic policy coordination. Compared to previous editions, CESI welcomes a shift of language in this year's AGS towards social and investment aspects of economic governance in the Member States.
Shakira and the Paradise Papers
The Paradise Papers – On November 5, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists released information on a leak of 13.4 million confidential electronic documents relating to tax-avoiding offshore investments, including by multinational companies and VIPs. This is a commentary from Fernand Muller from the Union of Finance Personnel in Europe, who looked at Shakira’s mention in the Paradise Papers.
Erasmus+: CESI Youth Representative Matthäus Fandrejewski welcomes more financial resources in 2018
On October 25, the European Commission decided to increase the budget allocated to the Erasmus+ programme to more than 2.7 billion. In line with the calls for proposals for Erasmus+ for 2018, published the same day, the financial resources of the programme will increase by 200€ million. CESI Youth Representative Matthäus Fandrejewski is delighted to witness more dedication to youth and exchange programmes.
CESI messages to the Gothenburg Social Summit
On the occasion of tomorrow's Gothenburg Social Summit, the Presidium of CESI adopted messages on key priorities that CESI considers vital for a more social Europe: A joint, dedicated implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights by governments, authorities, social partners, trade unions and the organised civil society; more social investments to finance the Pillar especially in children, education, health, and training; a placement of social rights at equal footing with the economic freedoms in Europe; and the regularisation of new forms of work and atypical employment relationships by making them subject to core labour law and social security.
CESI Trade Council on ‘Health’ shapes its European health agenda: privatisation and digitalisation are key priorities
Since the peak of the global financial crisis in 2008, all European Union Member States had to address the issues of shrinking budgets for healthcare and increasing needs of the care sector. The CESI trade council ‘Health’ brought together representatives of practitioners in the health sector from six countries to discuss the issues of shortages of medical staff, working time conditions, privatisation, digitalisation and the danger of brain drain in the health sector.
CESI’s Trade Council ‘Defence’ on the future of the European Defence Union: More rights for citizens in uniform & parliamentary oversight
On the occasion of its last meeting, CESI´s Trade Council “Defence” dealt with the current state of affairs in defence matters. In particular the new reflection paper in European defence as well as new initiatives and proposals, among them also legislative ones, were discussed.
CESI meets Commissioner Bulc to discuss right to strike in air traffic management
On Tuesday, November 7, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger together with a delegation of CESI's member organisation ATCEUC, the Air Traffic Controllers European Union Coordination, met with the European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, to discuss implications of the European Commission's recent Communication 'Aviation: Open & Connected Europe' on the right to strike in air traffic management (ATM).
CESI Youth Representative Matthäus Fandrejewski at the World Skills Conference in Abu Dhabi
On October 16-17, CESI Youth Representative Matthäus Fandrejewski was in Abu Dhabi for the World Skills Conference 2017 to present on 'Skills and careers without borders'.
CESI responds to second phase EU social partner consultation on a revision of the Written Statement Directive
On Friday, November 3, the European Commission's second phase EU social partner consultation on a revision of the Written Statement Directive 91/533/EEC came to a close. As part of the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, this followed a first phase of the consultation which ran this summer. In its second phase response, CESI advocates a revision of the Directive as one important component to fight precarious work across the EU.
EU Equal Pay Day 2017: No progress
November 3 is EU Equal Pay Day - again. It symbolises the wage gap between women and men. A gap of 16.4% in the EU. A gap according to which the 'average' woman does not get paid anymore as of today - until the end of the year. And: Last year's EU Equal Pay Day was also on November 3, which means that no progress has been achieved since then. According to Kirsten Lühmann, President of CESI's Commission on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, policy makers and authorities are just not doing enough to bring about change.
CESI@noon: Trade unions of military and civilian staff discuss the future of the European Defence Union
On October 18, CESI and the Hessen Land Representation to the European Union brought together key stakeholders from the national and European levels to discuss the future of the ‘European Defence Union: What next?’ at the 17th edition of CESI's lunchtime debate series 'CESI@noon'.
Posting of workers: A breakthrough after all
On October 24, the Employment and Social Affairs Ministers of the Member States adopted a general approach regarding the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive. Among others, and differing from the views of the European Parliament, the Councils advocates an exclusion of the transport sector and remuneration standards of main contractors to subcontractors from the directive. While confirming the inclusion of temporary agency workers who shall be paid in accordance with the laws and practices of the host Member States, the ministers remained largely silent on a broad application of collective agreements as a basis for remuneration rules for posted workers. However, despite having expected more, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger expressed a cautious optimism with the decision of the Council:
Priorities on the Commission’s proposal for a Directive on work-life balance for parents and carers
Earlier this month in October, CESI's internal members' Commission on Women's Rights and Gender Equality deliberated, together with representatives from the European Commission and the European Women's Lobby (EWL), on the European Commission's recent legislative proposal for a Directive on work-life balance for parents and carers. Based on their debate as well as CESI's contributions to a two-stage social partner consultation preceding the publication of the proposal, a set of key priorities was put forward in advance of legislative negotiations on the file between the EU's two co-legislators, the European Parliament and the Council.
Europe Academy meets in Berlin on vocational education and training
Today, CESI's internal members' training centre, the Europe Academy, held its annual symposium, this year on 'Bridging education and the world of work: Vocational training and apprenticeships'. More than 100 participants came together at the premises of CESI's German member organisation dbb in Berlin to discuss best practices on how different types of vocational training and apprenticeship schemes can help young people access increasingly dynamic and globalising labour markets.
European Parliament calls for better working conditions for prison staff and personnel
On October 5, the European Parliament plenary adopted a report on prison systems and conditions which emphasises the need for better employment and working conditions for prison staff as a precondition for safer, more secure and less tense conditions in prisons. As a European confederation with national trade unions with prison employees among their membership, CESI welcomes this report with several clear recommendations for action for the European Commission and the governments of the Member States.
Trade Councils ‘Justice’ and ‘Security’ discuss impacts of radicalisation and privatisations for security and law enforcement employees
On October 12, CESI’s Trade Councils on ‘Justice’ and ‘Security’ held their constitutive meetings after CESI’s Congress in December last year. Following elections of the presidency and vice-presidency for the term until 2020, the trade councils -as CESI’s internal members’ committees for deliberation and positioning on EU policies and politics in the fields of law enforcement, justice and security- debated on the latest European developments in police and judicial cooperation as well as border security which are impacting on their professional life.
CESI Commissions on Employment & Social Affairs and Women’s Rights & Gender Equality, within the framework of PULSER project, call for socially just post-Covid rebounce
On October 14 CESI’s members’ Commissions on Employment and Social Affairs and on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality convened under the PULSER project to discuss the European Pillar of Social Rights, the impacts of the Covid pandemic on workers and gender equality in employment. In discussions with European Commission representatives, CESI members made clear that the maintenance of jobs and of health and safety has utmost priority for workers in Europe, and that the crisis must not lead to a backlash in gender equality in Europe.
EU Gender Equality Index: Towards gender equality at snail pace
Yesterday, the EU’s agency for research on gender equality, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) in Vienna, launched the 2017 edition of its Gender Equality Index (GEI). As the most comprehensive European comparative report of its kind, the GEI measures every two years how far the EU and its Member States are from realising a gender-equal society. The 2017 shows that progress towards gender equality in Europe is, generally, real, but also frustratingly slow. According to Kirsten Lühmann, President of CESI’s Commission on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), the EU Institutions as well as the governments of the EU Member States need to show more ambition to achieve real gender equality in all dimensions of society, work and life a lot faster that at present.
Upcoming on October 18: CESI@noon on ‘European Defence Union: What next?’
On October 18, CESI will hold the 17th edition of its lunchtime event series "CESI@noon" - this time together with the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU on "European Defence Union: What next?" Registration is now possible.
CESI joins the EESC & other social partners in efforts to prevent radicalisation
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held recently a public hearing on ‘The role of civil society in the prevention of radicalization of young people’. The event, which gathered policy makers, practitioners and experts in the field, was organised as a preparatory consultation for an own-initiative opinion on ‘Prevention of radicalisation’, an initiative driven by Mr Christian Moos, active member of CESI and the EESC and Divisional Director for European and International Affairs at the German Civil Servants Association (dbb). As such, both the opinion and the event aimed at addressing how civil society, supported by institutional bodies, could counteract the effects of political and religious radicalisation.
Estonian Presidency high-level employment conference “Making it e-easy”: Four priorities to shape the future of work
Last week Wednesday and Thursday, the Estonian Presidency held its central employment conference on ‘Future of work: Making it e-easy’ in Tallinn – An occasion to outline some priorities to shape the future of employment in a sustainable way.
Juncker’s State of the Union speech: Implementation and financing of the Social Pillar key for CESI
In the frame of a his yearly State of the Union address to the European Parliament plenary, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker today stated that “the wind is back in Europe’s sails.” In a first reaction, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger reiterated CESI’s view that in order to secure Europe’s future it will be decisive to build on its social components.
Full agenda at the re-constitutive meeting of the ‘Post & Telecoms’ Trade Council in Vienna
Today, CESI’s Trade Council ‘Post & Telecom’, reinstated by Presidium of CESI following its Congress in December last year, met for its re-constitutive meeting in Vienna. With a full agenda, ranging from the election of the Trade Council’s leadership to the adoption of new resolutions, the meeting was hosted by the Austrian postal services trade union section FCG-Post, an affiliate of CESI’s member organisation Eurofedop.
Success for Belgian CESI affiliates: Belgian constitutional court re-affirms the right of collective bargaining, the right to strike and participation to social elections
On July 26 the Constitutional Court of Belgium re-affirmed the annulation of the law of 3 August 2016 regarding railway matters, inserting article 114/1 within the law of July 23 1926 concerning the SNCB (Belgian railway) and the Belgians railway men. The initial request for annulation was introduced by the Syndicat indépendant pour Cheminots (SIC) and others, due to a distinction within the law between different trade unions, which resulted in discrimination, harming ‘approved’ trade unions such as SIC, an affiliate of CESI’s Belgian member UNSP.
Klaus Heeger at the European Economic and Social Committee: “Seize the Pillar of Social Rights and hold governments accountable”
At a conference on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) last week, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger called on civil society organisations and trade unions to seize the new European Pillar of Social Rights and hold national governments accountable whenever they fail in delivering on a more social Europe.
CESI, Social Platform & Eurodiaconia continue to drive the agenda for more public social investments in the Member States
On Tuesday last week CESI, Eurodiaconia and Social Platform held a high-level meeting with key stakeholders and decision-makers from the European institutions to discuss ways to promote more public social investments in the Member States.
CESI contributions to first phase social partner consultations on access to social protection and a possible revision of the Written statement directive
On June 23, CESI delivered its responses to the European Commission's first phase social partner consultations on a possible revision of the Written statement directive and on new measures for a better access to social protection for all. The European Commission had launched these two consultations simultaneously as a consequence of the adoption of the European Pillar of Social Rights earlier this year in April.
Trade Council ‘Central Administration and Finances’ meets in Rome
The re-constitutive meeting of CESI's Trade Council 'Central Administration and Finances' (ACF) following the Congress in December last year took place on June 27 in Rome. With the help of the CESI member organisation CONSFAL-UNSA, the participants were able to focus on some of the most pressing European challenges for central government employees.
Reaction by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Sohst, member of the Board of the German Armed Forces Association, following the European Council Conclusions of 22 – 23 June 2017
On the occasion of the latest European Council meeting which took place last week in Brussels, Member States discussed and took a stance on a number of important topics such as security and defence, migration and digital Europe (cybersecurity strategy). In response to the decisions taken in the field of a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in the European Union, Lieutenant- Colonel Thomas Sohst, Chairman of the West Regional Council of German Armed Forces Association, made the following comment.
Message by CESI on the occasion of the Public Service Day 2017
Since the UN resolution 57/277 adopted by the General Assembly, that designated June 23 as Public Services Day, we have seen annual celebrations all over the world. The UN Public Service Day celebrates the value and virtue of public service to the community. It also aims to highlight the contribution of public service in the development process and recognises the work of public servants, and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector.
Presidium and Board meet to steer CESI’s continued successful evolution
On June 21 and 22, CESI's Presidium and Board met to take decisions to steer CESI's continued successful evolution as a European trade union umbrella organisation in Brussels.
CESI@noon on the European Pillar of Social Rights: No phrase-mongering but a way to go for social progress
Today, CESI and the Bertelsmann Stiftung jointly held the 16th edition of CESI's lunchtime debate series 'CESI@noon' on the topic of 'European Pillar of Social Rights: Phrase-mongering of real social progress?' Held with experts from the European Commission, think tanks, civil society and trade unions, the event made clear the Pillar can help make Europe more social, provided that there is a political will among the European and national-level institutions, policy makers, authorities and social partners to implement and enforce it.
CESI to participate in EU sectoral social dialogue on postal services
On Monday this week, CESI’s Secretary General Klaus Heeger signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Regional Secretary of UNI Europa, Oliver Roethig, on a participation of CESI in the EU sectoral social dialogue committee ‘Postal services’ together with UNI Europa.
CESI Youth Representative Matthäus Fandrejewski a member of the new Commission-supported European Apprentices Network (EAN)
The four-year anniversary conference of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) on May 30-31 in Malta did not only focus on the gathering of various stakeholders but also saw the official launch of the new European Apprentices Network (EAN). CESI Youth Representative, Matthäus Fandrejewski, was invited to take part as a member. As member of the EAN, he will be sharing knowledge of his own inside information as a former apprentice himself.