Workers first: Our agenda in a turbulent Europe
Editorial by Klaus Heeger, CESI Secretary General
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New CESI Youth Board meets for the first time in Brussels
On June 13 the members of the new CESI Youth Board met for the first time in Brussels. The meeting was fruitful as the work programme for the two years to come was discussed and the topics the CESI Youth will focus on were decided.
Protests of CESI’s member organisation CSIF in Madrid over early retirements of local police officers
CSIF, the most representative union in the public administration sector in Spain and the main trade union of local police officers at national level, organised a successful demonstration in Madrid in which tens of thousands of local police officers from all over Spain demanded the lowering of their retirement age to 59 years without being penalised in their future pension - a step which would set them on equal footing with the National Police, the Guardia Civil and the Spanish firefighters.
Germany: Ban on strikes for civil servants is conform to the German Constitution
In a long-expected landmark ruling on June 12, the German Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) declared the existing general ban on strikes for German civil servants as not being in violation of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz).
The European Youth Event 2018 as a hub for debates and sharing knowledge was a great success
Last week, CESI Youth has participated to the European Youth Event 2018 held in Strasbourg. During those 2 days, we have organised discussion and debates around two major topics, Apprenticeships in the EU and on our generation’s fears for their future.
Celebrating 70 years of the European Movement
On 24 and 25 May, the European Movement International (EMI) celebrated its 70th anniversary in The Hague with the two-day event ‘Sharing Europe’. Citizens, policy-makers, trade unions, civil society and business came together to discuss the main issues facing Europe today, including: sustainability, migration, security, labour rights, new economic models and democracy over two days of panel debates and agora sessions.
Meeting of TC Defence: Consider the human factor when framing a European Defence Union!
On June 5th, the yearly meeting of CESI´s Trade Council Defence took place, uniting those trade unions from CESI which represent military and civilian staff within the armed forces.
A big win for a more social Europe! Posted workers will be better protected
After two years of hard and sometimes even frustrating negotiations the European Parliament has today backed the very positive outcome of ‘trilogue’ negotiations on the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive. Who would have thought that? If you had asked me two years ago, I would never have believed in such a success.
Feedback consultation on Whistle-blowers legislation proposal
On 23rd of April 2018, the Commission presented a proposal for a directive on whistle-blower protection followed by a public consultation. CESI´s main positions are to be found here.
CESI Youth members speak up on the European Education Area
After its ambitious November 2017 Communication on 'Strengthening European identity through education and culture', the European Commission released a so-called 'Education Package', of which a first part was published in early 2018 and a second set of initiatives was presented earlier this week on 22 May. In the framework of the European Commission’s vision to create a European Education Area by 2025, first set out in the November 2017 Communication, CESI conducted an interview on this topic with two young teachers, representing two of its member organisations active in the education sector, namely Grégory Corps from France and Katarzyna Pawlaczyk from Poland. Grégory and Katarzyna are both teachers and both members, since November 30 2017, of the Board of the CESI Youth.
Working time, violence, dangerous substances: Health Services Trade Council discusses employment challenges in healthcare in Europe
At CESI's last Health Services Trade Council meeting on May 17 in Podgorica, Montenegro, hosted by the Montenegrin Trade Union of Physicians (SDMCG), CESI's affiliates representing workers in the healthcare services discussed current challenges in employment which the personnel in the sector is facing across European countries.
European Parliament holds hearing on worker rights for soldiers
Yesterday, the European Parliament's Security and Defence Committee held a public hearing on improved worker rights of soldiers in Europe. The hearing came at a timely moment, with the implementation of the European Defence Union advancing swiftly but common rights for soldiers in EU joint military operations still missing.
CESI supports EPSU legal suit against the European Commission over information and consultation rights for central government administration employees
In March, the European Commission stated its refusal to bring an agreement of the European sectoral social dialogue committee 'Central Government Administration' on information and consultation rights for central government administration employees to the Council for an implementation as a binding EU directive. Today, as EPSU, the European Public Service Union, announces legal action against the European Commission's decision at the European Court of Justice, CESI states its support for this move.
News from the CESI´s Spanish member organisation: Protest of civil servants working in the penitentiary system
Since May 29, ten CSIF representatives have locked themselves in the General Secretariat of Penitentiary Institutions headquarters to bring attention to their cause on fair working conditions.
MFF proposals: Don’t slash the social
Yesterday, the European Commission published its proposals for the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027. In advance of ensuing negotiations between the European Parliament and Council on a final MFF, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger calls for adequate funding for a strong social dimension of the EU.
CESI partner of 2018-19 ‘Healthy Workplaces Campaign’ of EU-OSHA
In 2018-19, CESI will be a partner of EU-OSHA's newest 'Healthy workplaces' awareness raising campaign. Having been involved in several previous 'Healthy workplaces' campaign editions in the past, CESI will now participate for the fourth time in Europe's biggest awareness raising campaign on occupational health and safety. The 2018-19 edition is themed 'Managing dangerous substances'.
Klaus Heeger on Labour Day: Keep employment and social affairs high on the agenda
On Labour Day 2018 CESI is encouraged by a new momentum in political discussions on employment and social affairs in Europe. As the European Pillar of Social Rights, put forward by the European Commission in March last year, celebrates its first anniversary, policy makers across Europe are increasingly -and finally!- acknowledging the need to also think social when pursuing economic policies. CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger, who spoke at a public Labour Day event of CESI's member organisation CONFSAL in Naples today, however recalled that political discussions must now also yield tangible commitments.
CESI welcomes the European Commission’s proposal on the protection of whistle-blowers
On Monday April 23, the European Commission published a proposal backing the European Parliament's recommendation for stronger protection of whistle-blowers in the European Union.
CESI to German Ministry of Defence: Human factor decisive for success of European Defence Union
On April 23, a CESI delegation composed of CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger and the President and Vice-President of CESI's Trade Council Defence, Thomas Sohst and Wolfram Kamm, met with the Secretary of State of the German Ministry of Defence, Gerd Hoofe, and the ministry's Head of the HR Department, Lieutenant General Klaus von Heimendahl, to discuss a more systematic involvement of military and civilian staff and their representatives in the designing and implementation of the future European Defence Union (EDU).
Trade Council ‘Education’ discusses role and support of teachers in the European Education Area
At its annual meeting in Brussels today, CESI's internal member's Trade Council committee 'Education' deliberated on the role and support of teachers in the forthcoming European Education Area.
CESI Trade Councils ‘Justice’ & ‘Security’ discuss priorities in the EU’s Area of Freedom, Security & Justice
On March 22, precisely two years after the Brussels terror attacks, CESI’s Trade Councils ‘Justice’ & ‘Security’ met in Brussels to discuss a number of key sector-specific issues: privatisation and digitisation in the prison and justice systems, the fight against radicalisation, police cooperation and fight against organised crime, the Schengen Borders Code and its revision in light of the 2015-2016 terrorist attacks, smart borders, and violence at work.
CESI and CNV-Connectief joint conference on violence at work: Protecting our members as workers and victims!
Third party violence at work, especially against public sector workers, remains a fundamental problem in most of the countries of the EU. In cooperation with the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI), CNV-Connectief today organised an event in The Hague, both with its Dutch members and international guests, to take stock of the current situations and possible remedies in the different European countries.
Adoption of Quality and effective apprenticeships by the Council of the EU
On 15 March, the Council adopted a recommendation on a framework for quality and effective apprenticeships, aimed at helping young people to enter the world of work. This recommendation encourages the development of a highly skilled and qualified workforce.
European Parliament AGS report echoes CESI priorities on public social investments
On Tuesday this week, the European Parliament plenary adopted a report on employment and social aspects in the 2018 Annual Growth Survey (AGS), issued by the European Commission last November. CESI Secretary General welcomed the report which echoes long-standing priorities of CESI on the need for more public social investments in the Member States.
CESI Presidium priorities for the post-2020 MFF
At its meeting today, the Presidium of CESI adopted a resolution in the context of public consultations by the European Commission on the priorities for the EU's post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). In its resolution, the Presidium stresses the importance of adequate and balanced financial support for all trade unions at the EU level, including for those that are independent.
Galician justice officials on strike over work-life balance and equal pay for equal work
2,500 officials of the Justice Administration in Galicia (North West of Spain) have been on strike for 5 weeks in response to the refusal of the regional government to negotiate an increase in salary and other measures to improve their working conditions. An article by Javier Jordán de Urries Sagarna from CESI's Spanish member organisation CSIF.
SOC and FEMM Commissions in dialogue with European Parliament and European Commission on EU social and employment policy
On March 8, CESI's members' Commissions on Employment and Social Affairs (SOC) and Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) convened for their first meeting of the year in Brussels to discuss CESI's advocacy on EU employment and social policy currently in the making. Guest speakers at the meeting included representatives from the European Parliament and Commission.
CESI@noon: Social protection for all as a key deliverable of the European Pillar of Social Rights
On March 7, CESI and the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg to the EU held the 18th edition of CESI's lunchtime debate series 'CESI@noon', this time on 'Digitalisation & future of work: Social protection for all?'
Swiss ‘Service Public’ vote: Citizens turn down populist initiative to discontinue licensing fees to finance public radio and TV stations
Swiss voters voted against the discontinuation of radio and television licensing fees the weekend of 3 to 5 March 2018.
Kirsten Lühmann on the International Women’s Day: Gender parity needs a joint effort
March 8 is International Women’s Day. Celebrated under the auspices of the UN every year since 1977, the day recalls persisting and widespread gender inequalities around the world. This year’s theme is ‘#PressforProgress’, a common hashtag for a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. According to Kirsten Lühmann, President of CESI’s Commission on Women’s Rights and Equality, such gender parity is an ambitious but worthy target that needs a joint effort by all: Policy makers, authorities, NGOs, social partners, trade unions.
European Commissioners deny 9.8 million workers EU legal minimum standards on information and consultation rights
The Commission has informed the European central government social partners today that it will not bring their agreement to the European Council for implementation as a directive. The agreement seeks to plug a gap in EU legislation that excludes workers in central government administrations from the EU right to information and consultation.
Protect the work-free Sunday!
On the occasion of the European Day for a Work-Free Sunday on March 3, the European Sunday Alliance calls on all its supporters to take action against Sunday Work.
EU Court of Justice rules on ‘stand-by’ services as ‘working time’
On February 21 2018, the European Court of Justice (CJEU) delivered a judgment on the ‘stand-by’ time of volunteer firefighters. The Court took an important stand related to the notion of working time and the scope of the working time directive, stating that the ‘stand-by’ time at home of a volunteer firefighter who is obliged to respond to calls from the employer within a short period must be regarded as ‘working time’.
Europe Academy project kick-off meeting on challenges for education professionals and trade unions in Europe
On Monday this week, this year's project of CESI's Europe Academy on 'Education professionals and trade unions in Europe: Horizon 2025' kicked-off with a workshop in Brussels.
Upcoming on March 7: CESI@noon on ‘Digitalisation & future of work: Social protection for all?’
Public service strike in Hungary on February 15-19 2018 organized by MKKSZ
Hungarian member organisation MKKSZ (Trade Union of Hungarian Civil Servants and Public Employees) has led a series of protests, such as a recent 2 hours strike at the local government offices across the country. After the latest consecutive failures of negotiations with the government, MKKSZ will launch a new industrial action from 15-19 February 2018 in the Hungarian public services.
The right to association for military staff – the decision of the ECSR in EUROMIL vs. Ireland
February 12 2018 is an important day for military personnel all over Europe. It marks the ground breaking decision of the European Committee on Social Rights of the Council of Europe which recognises the right to association and the right to collective bargaining for soldiers and military staff across the continent.
13th Security Union progress report and its highlights: Cybersecurity, interoperable systems for security & border management, prevention of radicalisation
The European Commission published its 13th report on the progress towards an effective and genuine Security Union. The report focuses on preventing radicalisation/ fighting terrorism offline & online, cybersecurity and, more importantly, on establishing interoperable EU information systems for security, border and migration management. In a first reaction, Gerrit van de Kamp, President of CESI's Trade Council ‘Security’ and President of the European Police Union (EPU), welcomed the report, yet called for further efforts.
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.