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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FEMM/SOC Commissions: Social Pillar and skills & work-life balance policies on the agenda
Today, CESI's Commissions on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and Employment and Social Affairs (SOC) convened for their last meeting of the year in Brussels. As CESI's most important members' committees for deliberation and positioning on horizontal aspects of EU social, employment and gender equality policies, the meetings addressed some of CESI's most pressing priorities in this field.
Joint statement: A new Europe for people, planet and prosperity for all
Ahead of the Bratislava European summit, CESI signed and supports a common statement by 177 European and national civil society organisations and trade unions on 'A new Europe for people, planet and prosperity for all'. It calls for the European project to reclaim its promise of peace, democracy and solidarity.
EXTENSION of deadline Call for tender: Subcontracting for video
For its 18-months EC-funded project that aims at better tackling and preventing old and new psychosocial risks, the European Social Dialogue Committee for Central Government Administrations (SDC CGA) is looking for a contractor to produce a video.
Upcoming on September 27: CESI@noon with MEP Michael Gahler on ‘The use of military forces for internal security’
CESI joins the European Alliance for Apprenticeships
Today, CESI officially joined the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA), a platform coordinated by the European Commission to bring together governments, businesses, social partners and others to promote a higher quality, better supply and improved image of apprenticeships in Europe.
Illegal state aid in Ireland: Well-deserved bite in the Apple
The European Commission found today that two tax rulings issued by Ireland substantially lowered the tax paid by Apple in the country since 1991 and that this represents illegal state aid under EU rules. Ireland must now recover unpaid taxes from Apple of up to €13 billion (plus interest) for the years 2003 to 2014. CESI welcomes this decision.
August 12 – A day to put the youth at the centre of attention
On the occasion of the International Youth Day, CESI reiterates the importance of youth questions in today's Europe. CESI, as a representative of more than 5 million workers across Europe, highlights the need to defend the interests of the youth especially on the labour markets.
After a sad Brexit, more joy about the continuation of European integration! – Commentary by Rainer Dumont du Voitel, former CESI Vice-President
Following the Brexit, it is necessary to develop a concept for Europe by means of a realistic, sensible combination of “downsizing” and a greater “step forward” that does not exclude common perspectives, and in which unconditional Europeans, federalists and sovereigntists as well as eurosceptics can all find their place, writes Rainer Dumont du Voitel, former CESI Vice-President, in a guest commentary.
Call for tender: Subcontracting for video
For its 18-months EC-funded project that aims at better tackling and preventing old and new psychosocial risks, the European Social Dialogue Committee for Central Government Administrations (SDC CGA) is looking for a contractor to produce a video.
The UK votes to leave the EU: An earthquake – but we have to keep calm!
Yesterday, by a margin of 48 to 52%, the UK voted in a referendum to leave the EU. While the UK government still has to hand in a formal notice of intention to leave the EU, exit negotiations between the two sides will span over at least two years. The UK’s exit from the EU, the Brexit, will certainly bring a high degree of uncertainty both in the UK and the EU, but panic about an imploding EU are probably not appropriate. A commentary by CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger.
International Public Service Day 2016: CESI calls for more public investment
On the occasion of this year's International Public Service Day, CESI, as a representative of several million public sector workers, renews its commitment to defend the interests of its members and calls for more personnel and material resources for public services.
CESI Board adopts new basic positioning paper
Yesterday, CESI's Board adopted an updated basic positioning paper of CESI. The document, drafted by an internal working group with a mandate by the Presidium, represents an up-to-speed text on CESI's raison d'être and its objectives as a European level trade union confederation.
CESI and EPC hold expert seminar on paths towards more social investments
Today, CESI in collaboration with the European Policy Centre (EPC) held an expert seminar on paths towards more social investments.
CESI continues to grow: Union of Montenegrin Physicians a new member
At its meeting on June 22, CESI's Board voted unanimously in favour of the accession of a new trade union as a full CESI member: The Union of Montenegrin Physicians (UMP).
CESI Presidium adopts joint CESI-UFE position on the European Commission’s fight against tax fraud and tax avoidance
Today, CESI's Presidium confirmed a joint CESI-UFE position on the European Commission’s fight against tax fraud and tax avoidance.
Forces de l’ordre françaises, nous sommes avec vous!
In the wake of Monday’s heinous attack against a police officer and his wife in Magnanville outside Paris, the Secretary General of CESI, Mr Klaus Heeger, and the President of CESI’s Trade Council ‘Security’, Mr Gerrit Van de Kamp, have expressed their horror at the loss of innocent lives and the continued attacks against our fundamental and democratic values of a free society. “Our thoughts go to the victims’ families and friends as well as to the French security forces that have been targeted collectively”, stated Mr Van de Kamp and Mr Heeger in a joint declaration.
CESI@noon: Social partner mentoring schemes as a tool for labour market integration of refugees
On Tuesday, CESI in collaboration with UNITEE, the New European Business Confederation, held another edition of its lunchtime panel debate series ‘CESI@noon’. This time, the event took place on the topic of ‘Labour market integration of refugees: the role of entrepreneurs and trade unions’. The objective was to draw attention to the integration of migrants into the labour market through a channel which has so far been mostly underexploited: Mentoring schemes for refugees which seek to create a bond of trust and stand as a catalyser for integration by pairing up employers and employees together with refugees.
EU social dialogue committee ‘Central government administrations’ fixes 2016-2018 work programme
At its plenary meeting on June 10, the EU's social dialogue committee 'Central government administrations' adopted its work programme for the years 2016-2018. Together with EPSU, CESI forms the TUNED-delegation - the employee representatives in the Committee.
CESI affiliates Carmen Jaffke and Kirsten Lühmann re-elected into EWL Board of Administration
At the General Assembly of the European Women's Lobby (EWL) on June 4 2016 in Brussels, CESI affiliates Carmen Jaffke and Kirsten Lühmann were re-elected into the Board of Administration.
CESI presents recommendations on youth participation in trade unions to MEP Monika Vana
Yesterday in Strasbourg, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger presented recommendations on a better participation of youngsters in trade union work to MEP Monika Vana (Greens/EFA), member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.
Europe Academy symposium addresses impacts of new working rhythms on employee health
Last week Friday, CESI's members' training centre, the Europe Academy, held its first symposium of the year on impacts of new working rhythms in the public sector on the health of employees. The seminar, which took place in Copenhagen, was the first 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.
CESI presents position on public sector workers in the fight against radicalisation and terrorism to the Dutch Council Presidency
CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger and the President of CESI's Trade Council 'Security', Gerrit van de Kamp, handed over CESI's new position paper on the role of public sector workers in the fight against radicalisation and terrorism to the Dutch Minister of Security and Justice, Ard van der Steur, in The Hague today.
CESI expresses solidarity with strikes of public sector workers in Belgium today
Today, public sector workers across Belgium are on strike in order to express their dismay about continued cuts in public services in the country. CESI expresses its solidarity with all those protesting today.
Upcoming on June 14: CESI@noon event on ‘Labour market integration of refugees’
June 14 will see the next edition of CESI's event series 'CESI@noon' with a lunchtime panel debate on 'Labour market integration of refugees: The role of entrepreneurs and trade unions'. Registration is now open.
Joint CESI – UFE position on the European Commission’s fight against tax fraud and tax avoidance
CESI's Trade council Central Administration and Finances adopted today a joint CESI-UFE position on the European Commission’s fight against tax fraud and tax avoidance. The position still needs to be approved by the Presidium of CESI at its next meeting in June.
Trade Council ‘Central Administration & Finances’ discusses digitalisation, mobility, austerity in public services
During its annual meeting in Brussels today, CESI's Trade Council 'Central Administration and Finances' - the members' sectoral forum to discuss European political subjects with implications for central administration workers - discussed on consequences of intra-EU mobility on social security systems and public services, impacts of digitalisation on employment relationships and trade unionism in public administrations, and influences of continued cuts in public budgets on the functioning of and work in public administrations.
CESI Youth speaks up for social & labour market integration of refugees at the EYE in Strasbourg
At this year's European Youth Event (EYE) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on May 20/21, the CESI Youth - CESI's platform for and of young affiliates - was prominently present with a group 26 affiliates. The delegation ran a successful booth on trade union work for young people and held a well-visited workshop on a positive reception of young refugees in Europe. CESI Youth Representative Matthäus Fandrejewski was also a panelist in a debate on the social and labour market integration of migrants in the European Parliament's plenary chamber.
EU-Turkey summit: A deal – but many questions remain
Last Friday, the EU heads of state and government convened in Brussels for a summit with a delegation of the Turkish government to find a deal on an effective migration management at the Greek-Turkish border. The deal that was agreed on is a signal that the EU can act, but it is far from being positive throughout.
CESI Youth meets in Strasbourg to propose Vice Youth Representative and adopt new position on youth migration
Yesterday, the CESI Youth, CESI's internal platform of young affiliates, convened for its annual meeting in Strasbourg, France. The focus of the meeting was a discussion on draft statutes for the CESI Youth, the nomination a new Vice Youth Representative and the adoption of a position paper on youth migration.
CESI speaks at hearing on posted workers in the Committee of the Regions
Yesterday, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger intervened at an expert hearing on the revision of the EU posting of workers directive in the Committee of the Regions.
Trade Council ‘Post & Telecoms’ meets in Tirana
On Friday, May 12, CESI's Trade Council 'Post & Telecoms' - the members' sectoral forum to discuss European political subjects with implications for post and telecoms employees - convened for its annual meeting in Tirana, Albania. The meeting took place in the context of a conference with Albanian politicians and decision-makers on the functioning of social dialogue and trade unionism in Albania.
CESI Trade council ‘Defence’ discusses political priorities of armed forces personnel
Today CESI’s Trade council ‘Defence’ met for its annual meeting in Brussels. This time, CESI’s members’ forum for deliberation and internal positioning on EU defence policy saw lively discussions on several key political priorities of armed forces personnel.
Commission proposal on a targeted revision of the posting of workers directive: Some good, some bad
Earlier this week, the Commission published a proposal for a targeted revision of the EU posting of workers directive. According to CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger, the proposal contains useful suggestions but also stops short of the objective to ensure a completey equal treatment of mobile EU workers compared to 'domestic' ones.
May 9 – Europe Day
On the occasion of Europe Day, CESI recalls the multitude of achievements that Europe has made in order to reach peace and stability and warns that the EU needs to keep evolving and address its current challenges if it wants to remain successful.
Kirsten Lühmann on the International Women’s Day: ‘Step it up for gender equality!’
March 8 is International Women’s Day. Celebrated under the auspices of the UN every year since 1977, the day has become an instrumental tool for the UN to remind of persisting gender equalities across the globe. This year’s theme is ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for gender equality’ – an UN initiative which asks governments to make national commitments to close existing gender equality gaps in their countries. Kirsten Lühmann, President of CESI’s Commission on Women’s Rights and Equality, takes the occasion to recall that 2015 was, overall, a year of stagnation for better gender equality in Europe, and that the EU and its member states must resume their efforts to achieve real progress.
CESI again a member of the EU Platform for Tax Good Governance
CESI has been selected by the European Commission as one of 15 non-government members to become part of the EU's Platform for Tax Good Governance for the time from April 2016 to June 2019. CESI has already been a member in the past and can now continue to work in the Platform in the future too.
Trade council ‘Local & Regional Administrations’ convenes for its annual meeting
On Friday, April 29, CESI's Trade council 'Local and regional administrations' - the members' sectoral forum to discuss EU-political subjects with implications for employees in local and regional administrations - convened for its annual meeting in Brussels. Topics addressed ranged from the integration of refugees to privatisations in water supply services.
CESI speaks at European Semester Alliance’s parliamentary hearing on the European Semester
On Tuesday this week, the European Semester Alliance held a hearing in the European Parliament on the functioning of the European Semester, hosted by MEPs Marian Harkin and Sergio Gutiérrez-Prieto. As a member of the European Semester Alliance group, CESI presented the perspective of trade unions on how employment policies and measures are being handled under the European Semester.
International Workers’ Day: Quo vadis, Europe?
On the occasion of this year's International Workers' Day, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger recalls the long way that the EU still has to go to realise fair working conditions for all.
World Day for Health and Safety at Work: Public sector workers in the focus
Today is World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Initiated by the ILO in 2003 as an annual day to commemorate victims of occupational diseases and accidents, it has remained - unfortunately - topical ever since. CESI takes the occasion of this year's World Day to recall that occupational heath and safety for all remains a challenge to be met.
Trade Council ‘Health services’ sees signing of two transnational cooperation agreements on fair labour mobility
Today, CESI's Trade council 'Health services' - the members’ forum to discuss EU level health service policies - convened for its annual meeting in Brussels. Next to discussions on a variety of topics related to the needs of employees in the healthcare sector, two new transnational collaboration agreements on fair labour mobility were signed between three of CESI's member organisations: The German dbb, the Dutch CNV-Connectief and the Spanish SAE trade union organisations.
CESI Presidium meets to prepare 2016 Congress
Today, CESI's Presdium met in Amsterdam. The overarching objective of the meeting, hosted by CESI's Dutch member organisation CNV Connectief, was to make first preparations for the next Congress which will take place in December in Brussels.
New position papers on migration management and the fight against radicalisation and terrorism
At its meeting in Amsterdam, the Presidium today adopted two new detailed position papers on migration management and the integration of migrants as well as on the fight against radicalisation and terrorism.
European Commission CBCR proposal: Long awaited but insufficient to end tax avoidance practices
Today, European Commissioner Jonathan Hill (picture) presented the Commission's long awaited proposal on corporate tax transparency, suggesting public reporting obligations for certain companies in the EU.
Trade Council ‘Education’ annual meeting: What role for teachers in the prevention of radicalisation?
Today, CESI’s Trade council ‘Education, Training and Research’ convened for its annual meeting in Brussels. The Trade council, CESI’s main members’ forum to discuss EU level education policies, deliberated on a key challenge that teachers and educators face at work: How to implement the Paris Declaration of March 17 2015 on the promotion of citizenship and common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education?
CESI partner of 2016-17 EU-OSHA ‘Healthy workplaces’ campaign
In 2016-17, CESI will again be a partner of EU-OSHA's 'Healthy workplaces' awareness raising campaign. Having been involved in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 'Healthy workplaces' campaigns on 'Working together for risk prevention' and 'Healthy Workplaces Manage Stress', CESI will now participate for the third time in Europe's biggest awareness raising campaign on occupational health and safety. The 2016-17 edition is themed 'Healthy workplaces for all ages'.
Disclosure of income tax information by multinational corporations: Joint letter sent to Commission President Juncker
Today, a group of 46 trade unions and civil society organisations, including CESI, sent a joint letter to Commission President Juncker, asking for action on an effective disclosure of income tax information by multinational corporations.
Brussels, Istanbul, Ankara, …: CESI condemns brutal and coward attacks on civilians
In the light of the today's terrorist attacks in Brussels and the recent bombings in Ankara and Istanbul, CESI's Secretary General Klaus Heeger reiterates his dismay about the increasing occurrence of violent attacks on civilians in Europe and beyond.
CESI Trade council ‘Security’ deliberates on needs of workers in the security sector
On Wednesday this week, CESI’s Trade council ‘Security’ convened for its annual meeting in Brussels. The Trade council, CESI’s main members’ forum to discuss challenges in EU internal security policy, deliberated on several challenges related to the needs of employees in the security sector.