Workers first: Our agenda in a turbulent Europe
Editorial by Klaus Heeger, CESI Secretary General
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European Semester Autumn Package: Investments in public sector resilience needed
Earlier this week, the European Commission published its annual Autumn Package, including the 2024 Annual Sustainable Growth Survey (ASGS) and the Joint Employment Report (JER). CESI welcomes the reports but calls to secure adequate investments in public sector resilience.
SynCrisis event in Lithuania
The event on November 17, 2023, served as a pivotal platform for addressing Europe's persistent crisis and its repercussions on Lithuania. Spearheaded by CESI, the event convened stakeholders, experts, and members to delve into pressing issues under the SYNCRISIS project.
ACTIVER conference in Vienna: Embracing the role of trade unions in refugee integration
On Tuesday November 21 CESI hosted a conference of its ACTIVER project on trade union involvement in active labour market policies, focussing on the particular issue of refugee integration. The event took place in Vienna in the premises of the Austrian public sector union GĂD.
Net Zero Industry Act: CESI supports European Parliamentâs quest to anchor decent work in public procurement
In yesterday's vote on a negotiation mandate for the Net Zero Industry Act, the European Parliament foresees to prescribe decent wages and working conditions as allocation criteria in public procurement procedures. CESI supports this objective in upcoming negotiations with the Council.
SynCrisis event in Hungary
Held over two days in Budapest, the event gathered key decision-makers and public service workers to address pressing issues.
Cooperation: The only way to overcome crises â Editorial of CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger
In an era of geopolitical upheavals around the world, the importance of a robust Europe that stays united cannot be overstated.
Event: Refugee Reception and Integration
Building welcoming communities through resilient and performing public administrations and services | November 21st 2023 | Vienna
Press release of CESI’s member CSIF on investiture agreements in Spain
CESI's member CSIF, the Spanish Central Independent and Public Employees' Trade Union, issued a press release on November 13th, 2023, emphasising its commitment to defending the equality of citizens before the law, judicial independence, and equal access to public services across Spain.
CESI contribution to second-phase social partner consultation on quality traineeships now available
In a second phase of a consultation of European social partner organisations, CESI has called for a new binding measure of the EU to improve the quality of traineeships in Europe.
CESI renews partnership in EU-OSHA Healthy Workplaces Campaign on safe and healthy work in the digital age
As the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) kicks-off its latest Healthy Workplaces Campaign edition today in Brussels, CESI has renewed its partnership in the campaign - to help raise awareness among unions across Europe on the need to manage digitalsation on the job in a fair manner.
dbb Jugend and German Greens Co-chairman MP Omid Nouripour discuss youth (un)employment in Germany
On Monday October 9, MatthÀus Fandrejewski, CESI Youth Representative and Chairman of the youth organisation of the German Civil Service Federation (dbb Jugend), met with the Co-Chairman of the German Green Party, MP Omid Nouripour.
Addressing Teacher Shortages: When the âpermacrisisâ causes yet another crisis in the teaching profession
On October 10, CESI Expert Commission on âEducationâ was hosted by its French teachersâ union SPELC in Paris.
European Commission work programme 2024: Concluding unfinished business
Today, the European Commission published its last annual work programme of its term for 2024. A series of unfinished proposals and initiatives should be concluded before the upcoming EU elections in June 2024.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: Trade union representation as a key solution
October 17 is United Nations International Day For The Eradication Of Poverty, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the pressing global issue of poverty and taking action to eliminate it.
Resolution of CESI’s Presidium on the escalation of the Israel-Palestinian conflict
The Presidium of CESI has adopted a resolution on the escalation of the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
CESI health unions call for boost in investments in health care staff and services
On October 10, World Mental Health Day, CESIâs statutory membersâ Expert Commission âHealth Servicesâ convened in Brussels to speak up for further investments in health care staff and services.
Second CESI Firefighters Day 2023
On October 2 2023, firefighter unions affiliated to CESI convened to launch a call for action to increase investments in the firefighting sector and better equip Member States in their fight against extreme forest fires.
World Day for Decent Work: Workers in permacrisis
On the ocassion of this year's annual World Day for Decent Work, CESI, the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions, reiterates the importance of all of our sustained efforts to maintain and achieve decent employment for workers across Europe and beyond.
Back to duty. â Editorial of CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger
Clearly, policy makers must be on duty for workers during the next months. They need to work to bring down prices and safeguard jobs in a thriving economy.
New position on quality traineeships in the EU
As part of a European social partner consultation of the European Commission, CESI calls for new binding EU standards to end abusive traineeships in Europe.
SOTEU 2023: The EU more united than ever
The speech outlined the significant challenges faced by the European Union in recent years and its ambitious plans for the future, particularly in the domains of crisis management, employment, social affairs, gender equality, and public services.
Wildfires in Europe – The Crucial Role of Firefighters
European strategies for combatting fire, climate and sustainability are ever more urgent!
CESI Presidium condemns envisaged changes to national legislation on trade unions in Hungary
On August 15, the Presidium of CESI adopted a resolution to condemn an envisaged legal proposal of the Hungarian government to move away from the current national voluntary payment system of trade union membership fees from employers to trade unions. CESI joins its Hungarian member union MKKSz to criticise the proposed changes!
CESI joins forces with Erasmus University Rotterdam in the frame of the “SEISMEC” project
CESI is proud to announce that the independent trade unions will be a valuable partner in the âSEISMECâ project, which aims at improving workplaces, as part of the Horizon Europe Programme.
New position on strengthened equality bodies in the Member States
A new resolution of CESI is now available on the European Commission's parallel proposals for directives to strengthen national equality bodies. It calls for an improved cooperation between unions and equality bodies in cases of discrimination at work.
CESIâs 7th European Defence Round Table (EDRT)
26 September 2023 11:00 - 1:00 PM | online & in Brussels | In English & German languages
SHSP becomes a new observer at CESI
At its meeting in June, the Board of CESI approved the application of the Kosovo Post Trade Union Association (SHSP) to become a new observer at CESI.
New position on European Works Councils (EWCs)
At its last meeting before the summer break, the Presidium of CESI adopted a new position paper on the functioning of European Works Councils (EWC). It calls for a revision of the EU directive on EWCs, with a view to strengthening their role in the transnational information and consultation of workers.
CESI calls for adequate minimum income schemes in Europe
A new position of the Presidium of CESI is now available on the recent Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion. It calls for adequate minimum income schemes that are, as a social policy tool, carefully calibrated in conjunction with adequate minimum wages as an employment policy instrument.
Summer 2023: Firefighters are Battling Blazes Across Europe
CESI pleads for fair working conditions and safety and an EU statute to protect them across borders!
From Brussels to Strasbourg; and from there, to the whole of Europe
Editorial of CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger
With CESI participation: New EU social dialogue committee on social services established
On July 10, the European Commission issued its decision to set up a new European sectoral social dialogue committee under its auspices on social services. CESI will be a part of this committee to represent its national unions in the field of social services.
OECD: 27% of jobs at high risk from AI
CESI is ready to engage with EU and national stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of AI at work will benefit workers and lead to better working conditions for all.
World Public Service Day: Europeâs public sector needs strengthening
Klaus Heeger: "We need to honour our public employees for their devotion, contributions and excellent work which often goes above and beyond the call of duty."
EU rules on platform work: Council agrees its position
On the basis of the approach agreed upon, the EU Council will now begin negotiations with the European Parliament, with a view to reaching a provisional agreement.
The âSummer Daysâ on âSocial Waysâ: Building Our Green Future Together
There are no new jobs on a new planet. Greening our economy and our is lives is without alternative. It will require significant commitments from all of us. It means adopting a new economic and social model with major impacts on the way we work and live.
CESI affiliates Carmen Jaffke and Eva FernĂĄndez UrbĂłn elected into EWL Board of Administration
At the General Assembly of the European Womenâs Lobby (EWL) on June 10-11 2023, CESIâs affiliates Carmen Jaffke and Eva FernĂĄndez UrbĂłn were elected into the Board of Administration of the European Womenâs Lobby (EWL).
CESI’s Expert Commission EDUC: Towards better working conditions for the teachers
On May 23, CESIÂŽs Expert Commission âEDUCâ took place amidst teachersâ unions striking in many EU countries.
Expert Commission EDUC: Teachers have the power
On May 23, CESIÂŽs Expert Commission âEDUCâ took place amidst teachersâ unions striking in many EU countries. âEDUCâ and its members expressed their full solidarity with unions protesting throughout Europe for fairer wages and better working conditions for teachers.
Strengthening healthcare systems must start with the workforce
On May 23rd, CESIÂŽs Expert Commission âSANâ discussed the most pressing issues in the healthcare sector- among themselves and with various experts.
Porto Social Forum excludes 5 million workers!
With an open letter to the Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, CESI expresses its regret and astonishment regarding the exclusion of Independent Trade Unions from the Forum.
BE READY: Summer Days 2023 June 29 & 30
Two days of interactive workshops and plenary debates brought to you by the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI), the Bertelsmann Stiftung, Reshaping Work and EU Observer (media partner).
Registration open: ‘Empowering youth: Making the European Year of Skills work’ on June 13
On June 13, CESI Youth together with âStartNet' and âOBESSUâ will hold a public event in the context of the European Year of Skills on 'Empowering youth: Making the European Year of Skills work'. Registrations are now open.
CESI Working Group on the Future of Work: Exploring worker involvement in industrial green transitions
On April 27, CESI's Working Group on the Future of Work jumpstarted its work on this year's focus area of 'Worker involvement in green industrial transitions'.
Inflation in Germany: positive steps for public sector workers
After a lengthy dispute, the German government and trade unions have come to an agreement on salaries for over 2.5 million workers in the German public sector. The salary increase is expected to be an important supporting measure against high inflation.
CESI: The Rapid Deployment Capacity needs investments to replenesh personnel in Europe’s armed forces
As the European Parliament adopted an own-initiative report on the setup of a new military Rapid Deployment Capacity for the EU, CESI puts a spotlight on needed investments to replenish personnel shortages in the military and civilian armed forces in most Member States.
1st WEP Training in Budapest- Europe is its youth
The training session provided participants with the opportunity to discuss about the role of the EU in the promotion of rights, the functioning of the European Institutions, the EU law-making process, and the importance of the European social dialogue.
CESI calls for adequate support of personnel of armed forces in EU civilian CSDP missions
In light of todayâs adoption of the European Parliament report on the implementation of a civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), CESI calls to strengthen the EUâs civilian crisis management capabilities with a focus on investments in personnel, training and fair social framework conditions for those carrying out operations on the ground.
CESI Youth supports Youth Tests for new EU legislation
As part of a position to evaluate the European Year of Youth in 2022 and sketch take-aways for the future, CESI has called to support Youth Tests for new EU legislation: Impact assessments that consider the impact of new laws on young people.