A turning point: Why the CJEUâs 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 Europeâs social future. The judgment empowers governments to lift wage floors and tackle in-work poverty with renewed confidence.
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CESI at the 4-year celebration of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships in Malta
On May 30-31 a conference was held in Malta, celebrating the first four years of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA). With an opening speech made by Silvio de Bono, the President Board of Governors of MCAST (Malta College of Arts Science and Technology) and Evarist Bartolo, the Maltese Minister for Education and Employment, and a video message by European Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, the conference got off to a great start. As a member of the EAfA, CESI and the CESI Youth also participated in the conference.
Klaus Heeger on the Pillar of Social Rights: Encouraging package by the Commission, now everyone to push for implementation and enforcement
At a hearing in the European Parliament on last week Thursday, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger drew positive conclusions about the European Commission's recent package delivering the European Pillar of Social Rights and called on Member States and social partners to work together for a successful implementation and enforcement of what could become a new, fuller social dimension for the EU.
Registration now open â Upcoming on June 20 â CESI@noon âEuropean Pillar of Social Rights: Phrase-mongering or real social progress?â
June 20 will see the next edition of CESI's event series 'CESI@noon' with a lunchtime panel debate on 'European Pillar of Social Rights: Phrase-mongering or real social progress?' Registration to the event, which will be held jointly together with the Bertelsmann Stiftung, is now open.
Europe Day: EU and Member States should exhibit more solidarity and invest more in people
After a tumultuous year, that has proven to be challenging on many levels, CESI would like to take the opportunity to recall the many achievements that have been fulfilled throughout the European project on this day of Robert Schumanâs historic declaration. CESI has always and will continue to advocate for a stronger Europe, not only for its institutions, but for the benefit of its workers and citizens.
CESIâs Spanish member CSI-F and the European Womenâs Lobby take joint action to fight the gender pensions gap in Spain
On May 12, CESI's Spanish member CSI-F (Central Independent and Public Employees' Trade Union) and CESI's Board member of the European Women's Lobby (EWL), Carmen Jaffke, called on the Spanish government to end the gender pensions gap in the country.
CESI Trade Council âEducationâ: Valorisation of the teaching profession at the centre of the debate
Today, CESI's Trade Council 'Education, Training and Research' (EDUC) held its constitutive meeting after CESI's Congress in December last year. Following the elections of the trade council presidency and vice-presidency for the legislative term until 2020, the trade council, as CESI's internal members' committee for deliberation and positioning on EU education policies, discussed some of CESI's most pressing European priorities that concern the teachers and educators that CESI represents.
Belgian CESI affiliate wins landmark court case on trade union pluralism
On last week Thursday, May 18, the Belgian Syndicat Independant pour Cheminots (SIC), an affiliate of CESI's member organisation UNSP (Union Nationale des Services Publics), won a landmark case at the Belgian Constitutional Court which will strengthen the rights of independent trade unions in social dialogue and strike instances in Belgium.
New CESI Network of Legal Advisers meets for the first time
On May 4, the first meeting of a newly created internal network of legal experts took place at CESI in Brussels, bringing together expert jurists from member organisations of CESI in five European countries: Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany and Turkey.
Labour day: A fair Europe is needed⊠and a more positive thinking!
The current challenges for the EU are numerous - on today's Labour Day it is time to recall what is the essence of the EU that is meant to keep us all together. The gap between the EU and the citizens must at least be reduced, and the glue that may keep the EU going is solidarity - solidarity among workers, between workers and those excluded from the labour market, as well as within and between Member States. And: Solidarity also refers to investing in people! That is CESI's leitmotiv.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work: Optimise the collection and use of occupational safety and health data
Today is World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Initiated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2003 as an annual day to commemorate the victims of occupational diseases and accidents, concerns over health and safety for workers remain to the day. CESI takes the occasion of this year's World Day to recall the fundamental importance of occupational heath and safety for all.
European Pillar of Social Rights and accompanying initiatives: CESI leadership expresses cautious optimism
Today, the European Commission presented a long-awaited set of measures to improve the EU's social dimension. Under the heading 'European Pillar of Social Rights and accompanying initiatives', the European Commission issued 20 principles to guide the future of employment and social affairs. While these principles are not legally binding or directly enforceable targets, there are a number of accompanying legislative proposals, most notably in the area of work-life balance. In a first reaction, the CESI leadership expressed cautious optimism about the European Commission's proposals.
Annual Convention for Inclusive Growth 2017: CESI Youth speaks up for a better integration of disadvantaged young people
At the 2017 Annual Convention for Inclusive Growth (ACIG) on Monday this week, the European Commission discussed with civil society and trade union organisations how to create better opportunities for disadvantaged young people to participate in societal life and access the labour market. CESI Youth Representative MatthÀus Fandrejewski spoke as a rapporteur on the outcomes of a workshop on 'Opening up quality pathways for young people'.
French presidential elections, first round: A positive signal for social Europe?
A commentary by Klaus Heeger, Secretary General of CESI, in response to the first round of the French presidential elections yesterday.
Brexit letter: Some clarity at last â And new momentum for Social Europe?
A personal commentary by Klaus Heeger, Secretary General of CESI, in response to the submission of the 'Brexit letter' by the UK government to the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, earlier this week.
Joint press release by CESI, Social Platform and Eurodiaconia: The future of Europe needs more social investment
60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties: A real social dimension as the key to a successful EU
Statement from the CESI leadership: Commemorating the Brussels bombings one year ago
In commemoration of the Brussels bombings today one year ago, CESI President Romain Wolff and Secretary General Klaus Heeger pay tribute to the victims of the attacks and insist on a continued and united fight against radicalisation and terrorism.
With CESI involvement: EU central government administrations social dialogue committee holds final project conference on health and safety at work
Berlin hosted the final project conference on 14-15 March 2017 for the European social partners for central government, which includes CESI as a member of the employee delegation 'TUNED'. Participants were able to discuss the final products of a project on psychosocial risks at work, an European Commission-funded health and safety project.
First meeting after the Congress: Presidium sets up CESIâs working structures for the new legislative period
Today, CESI's new Presidium, elected at the last Congress in December 2016, met for the first time to re-constitute CESI's working structures for the legislative period until 2020. The Presidium also discussed on current political affairs, most notably the White Paper on the future of the EU recently issued by the European Commission.
CESI@noon/EPC policy dialogue âPutting social investment firstâ
On last week Friday, March 3, CESI and the European Policy Centre (EPC) held a joint CESI@noon/EPC policy dialogue on 'Putting social investment first: Time for a new narrative for Europe'. The event not only saw the publication of an EPC study on ways towards more social investments in Europe but also continues CESI's engagement for more public social investments in Europe.
Success for CESIâs member ZV Ăffentliches Personal: Switzerland says no to Business Imposition Reform III
The Swiss Sovereign has clearly said NO to the reduction of the Public Service in Switzerland.
Kirsten LĂŒhmann on the International Womenâs Day: âCommit to a Europe of social fairness and gender equalityâ
March 8 is International Womenâs Day. Celebrated under the auspices of the UN every year since 1977, the day recalls persisting and widespread gender inequalities around the world. This yearâs theme is âPlanet 50-50 by 2030: Women in the changing world of workâ â a UN initiative which asks governments and societies to close gender equality gaps within the next 13 years. Kirsten LĂŒhmann, President of CESIâs Commission on Womenâs Rights and Equality, translates this into the European context: For her, EU leaders must finally commit to a Europe of social fairness and full gender equality.
CESI Europe Academy: Study on occupational safety and health in public administrations now available
European Parliament approves CETA: Keep an eye on worker rights and public services
In a plenary vote today, the European Parliament approved the EU-Canada CETA free trade and investment deal. CETA can therefore come into force provisionally as of April 2017 (except for the area of investment protection), yet has to be approved by national parliaments as well in order to become fully applicable. CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger calls for a careful scrutiny of worker rights and public services under the agreement.
CESI meets EU Education and Youth Commissioner Navracsics to discuss the role of teachers in tackling radicalisation through education
Today, on the 9th February 2017, Secretary General Klaus Heeger met with Commissioner of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Mr Tibor Navracsics, handing over CESIÂŽs position paper on the issue of preventing radicalisation.
Programme Commission discusses CESI work priorities for 2017
On Friday, January 3, CESI's Programme Commission met to discuss CESI's work priorities and main activities for the year 2017.
New CESI position on trade and investment agreements available
A new CESI position paper on EU free trade and investment agreements, adopted by the CESI Presidium and Board in December 2015, is now available in CESI's five working languages.
CESI Programme Commission meets to discuss work priorities for 2016
Today, CESI's Programme Commission met to discuss CESI's work priorities and main activities for the year 2016.
EU not to revise the Working Time Directive
The European Commission notified the social partners that there will be no legislative revision of the Working Time Directive. Instead, the Commission announced an 'Interpretative communication' to bring more clarity about the proper application of the legislative piece. CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger welcomed the plans of the European Commission but stressed that the directive is, in its current form, far from satisfactory for many workers.
Trade union and civil society representatives launch talks with EU decision-makers on ways towards more public social investment in Europe
On 12 January CESI, Social Platform and Eurodiaconia held a joint meeting with stakeholders and decision-makers on ways to achieve higher levels of public social investment in European Union Member States. It emerged that increased budgetary flexibility to promote such investment is a real possibility, especially in the areas of early childhood education and care, primary and secondary education, training and active labour market policies, as well as affordable and social housing. There is strong evidence demonstrating the economic benefit of public social investment in these fields, which are also key for developing human capital. Therefore budgetary flexibility could be permitted in areas producing both an economic and social impact.
CESI Congress round-up: Election results and adopted motions
At its 7th Congress held in Brussels today, CESI elected its new leadership and adopted guidelines and positions for the upcoming legislative term until 2020.
New position paper on the Social Pillar
At its meeting on December 1, the CESI Presidium adopted a position paper on the forthcoming European Pillar of Social Rights.
European Parliament report stresses the right of association for military personnel
MEPs have today taken an important decision by voting on a motion on the European Defence Union.
AGS 2017: Cautious moves towards more investments
Today, the European Commission published its yearly Annual Growth Survey (AGS), jumpstarting the 2017 European Semester cycle of economic policy coordination. CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger notes cautious calls by the European Commission to raise public social investments.
Secretary General Klaus Heeger on the Turkey Report 2016
While according to different media sources over a hundred thousand public sector employees have, as a reaction to the July coup attempt, meanwhile been suspended, dismissed, arrested and detained, the European Commission published its latest Turkey Report as part of the 2016 enlargement package. The report denounces âarbitrary applications of the law in Turkeyâ during the last year and confirms that the sectors and professions particularly hit are the judiciary, police, military, civil service, local authorities, teachers and lawyers.
US election: Europeâs role in the world to increase
As Donald Trump wins the US presidential elections, the importance of the EU and its Member States as strongholds for democracy, tolerance and human rights increases. They must now show and prove that they can overcome national egoisms and are able to tackle jointly global problems. A commentary by CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger.
Today, 3 November 2016, is (again) European Equal Pay Day!
âThis day is the day in the year when women across Europe stop being paid due to the gender pay gap. With the average hourly wage for women in Europe being 16.7 % lower than it is for men, they in effect work 16% of the year for freeâ, states the European Commission. "If the average European man stops work today, he still gets paid as much this year as the average European woman who keeps working until 31 December. That is not fair, not sustainable and frankly not acceptable. European employers must stop sending the message that women are worth two pay cheques less than men each year. Men and women in the European Union are equal âthat is one of our fundamental values. But on our labour market, even in the year of 2016, this is not yet a reality.â
CESI President Romain Wolff on work-life balance in Portugal
On the occasion of the Congress of CESIÂŽs Portuguese member organization USI (Union dos Sindicatos Independientes), USI President Paulo Marcos and CESI President Romain Wolff had an exchange of views with Miguel Cabrita, State Secretary in the Ministry for Employment, Solidarity and Social Security, on the topic of work-life balance, the leitmotiv of USIÂŽs congress.
Alliance PN meeting with President Hollande on the working conditions of security forces
The recent attack against French police officers in the department of Essonne highlights the mounting pressure and the increasing violence that the French law enforcement forces are exposed to. CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger firmly condemns these attacks highlighting the importance of security forces, especially in this day and age where destabilisation of internal security within the EU is a growing threat.
CESI Europe Academy on responsible players in OSH policy implementation in the public sector
On Friday, October 14, CESI's members' training centre, the Europe Academy, held its second symposium of the year on 'Responsible players in the implementation of the occupational safety and health (OSH) policy in the public sector in Europe: Managers, trade unions, safety reps'. The seminar was the second of two conferences of the Europe Academy this year in the framework of a project on 'Health and safety at work in the public sector: new challenges'. The project is an important part of CESI's awareness-raising work on healthy workplaces in the context of its role as partner of EU-OSHA's Healthy Workplaces Campaign.
MatthĂ€us Fandrejewski presents a young trade unionistâs perspective on migration management to the European Parliament AFET and DEVE Committees
On Tuesday, October 11, CESI Youth Representative MatthÀus Fandrejewski was invited to present a young trade unionist's perspective on migration management to the European Parliament Committees on Development and Foreign Affairs.
Consequences to be drawn from the British Brexit vote to prevent repeating the mistakes of the past â Commentary by Rainer Dumont du Voitel, former CESI Vice-President
Mr Cameronâs referendum aimed to momentarily serve the cohesion of his own party but has done a disservice to both his country and the EU. The implementation of the British exit will require a great deal of effort and energy. It will have to be planned so as to harm the European citizens as little as possible. Otherwise, the fall of Europe shall be a reality, writes Rainer Dumont du Voitel, former CESI Vice-President, in a guest commentary.
CESI responds to second phase social partner consultation of work-life balance
Today, CESI submitted its response to the European Commissionâs second-phase social partner consultation on possible action addressing the challenges of work-life balance faced by working parents and caregivers.
Presidium sets the stage for Congress in December
CESI's Presidium met today in Brussels to finalise preparations for the Congress on December 2.
CESIâs main messages on the (forthcoming) European Pillar of Social Rights
At its meeting today, CESI's Presidium adopted main messages on the (forthcoming) European Pillar of Social Rights.
CESI@noon: âThe use of military forces for internal security tasksâ
On 27 September, EUROMIL and CESI jointly organised the 14th edition of CESI@noon on the topic of 'The use of military forces for internal security tasks'.
Bratislava summit and State of the union recap: Action needs to follow from words
Last week, European Commission President Juncker delivered his latest State of the Union speech in the European Parliament, and two days later the EU-27âs heads of state and government adopted a so-called âBratislava declaration and roadmapâ on the future European integration. âThe current political circumstances are arguably not favourable for joint action on certain topics. Nevertheless, the State of the Union speech and in particular Bratislava declaration should have been a wake-up call for action. Unfortunately, especially the latter is mostly hollowâ, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger concluded.
Good news for workers: European Parliament adopts ambitous reports on social dumping and work-life balance measures
Today, the European Parliament plenary adopted two reports on social dumping in the EU and labour market conditions that are (more) favourable to work-life balance. Both reports underscore the long way the EU still has to go in ensuring fair working conditions for everyone.