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.
All
Main news
posts
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.
WeEP24 in Budapest- Bringing workers at the heart of #EUelections24
On March 31, CESI organised a timely event on the importance of the European Union for workers and citizens in the capital of Hungary.
Celebrating World Health Day
On World Health Day, CESI celebrates the European healthcare workers which go above and beyond to address the needs of European citizens.
CESI calls for inclusive social dialogue in Europe
In a new resolution adopted by its Presidium, CESI calls for a commitment to trade union pluralism and strengthened inclusive social dialogue in Europe in the Member States and at the EU level.
CESI Youth: 10 years of perseverance, commitment and involvement
Last week in Budapest, CESI Youth celebrated 10-year anniversary, following its creation at Lake Balaton in Hungary in 2013.
Towards more Europe- Lessons from Budapest | Editorial of CESI SG Klaus Heeger
The European Union, OUR Union, is a challenging, but wonderful project.
CESI welcomes European Parliament approval of a new pay transparency directive
CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger has welcomed today's positive vote of the European Parliament on a new EU directive on pay transparency
CESI’s 6th European Defence Round Table: Make EU defence policy fit to ensure regional security
At their biannual meeting today, CESIâs member unions representing military and civilian armed forces met for a 6th edition of CESIâs European Defence Round-Table (EDRT) event series. One year into the Russian invasion of Ukraine and since the adoption of the Strategic Compass, the event served to stress the need to strengthen Europe's defence capabilities to ensure regional stability.
Rising ECB interest rates: CESI calls for differentiated solutions to bring down prices
As the European Central Bank (ECB) continues to raise interest rates at a considerable speed, CESI calls for differentiated solutions to bring price developments back to healthy levels.
Third-party violence – EU social partner guidelines
CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger: "I am pleased about the commitment and determination of all signatories."
CESI calls for comprehensive EU initiative on learning mobility for all
At a hearing with the European Commission on learning mobility earlier this month, CESI demanded a comprehensive EU initiative that targets all learners and teachers, in higher education as well as in VET-based apprenticeships and lifelong learning.
CESI demands revised EU economic governance
Responding to ongoing discussions in the EU institutions to reform the EU's economic governance system, the Presidium of CESI has issued a resolution calling for a new balance between public expenduture and investment, budgetary debts, and public revenues.
The European Parliament for an improved social protection of EU workers
In a report adopted by the European Parliament on March 15, MEPs demand the EU addresses the soaring cost of living with targeted social protection measures.
International Womenâs Day: Continue progress for gender equality
On the occasion of this yearâs International Womenâs Day on March 8, the President of CESIâs Commission on Womenâs Rights Kirsten LĂŒhmann calls on policy makers to continue recent successful progress towards gender equality in the EU.
Building a more sustainable future for the coming generations | Editorial of CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger
The murder of a teacher in France by her own student in class and the deadly train crash in Greece show that the road towards safety and integrity is still long for public sector workers.
For sustainable & quality public administrations in the EU
CESI's statutory Expert Commission âPublic Administrationsâ has spoken up again for improved working conditions in public administrations to make them more performing.
Protect work-free Sundays
Today, on the occasion of the 2023 European Day for a Work-free Sunday, CESI as a member of the European Sunday Alliance recalls the urgent need for synchronised quality and social resting time for workers, in order to enable them to preserve their mental health.
CESI welcomes Council move on EU accession to Istanbul Convention
CESI appreciates the Council's confirmed intention to ratify the EU's accession to the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.
CESI calls for ambitious EU mental health strategy
As part of a consultation by the European Commission on a new comprehensive approach of the EU to mental health, CESI has called for an ambitious EU initiative.
European Council: Combining solidarity with Ukraine with the need to advance on the policy agenda
As the heads of state and government of the Member States convened for a Special European Council summit in Brussels yesterday, they managed a remarkable balancing between a required continued solidarity with Ukraine and a much-needed return to a new normal on the EU's policy programme.
Earthquake in Turkish-Syrian border region: Presidium of CESI expresses condolences to the victims
Following the devastating earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border region on February 6, the Presidium of CESI has issued a statement of condolence and support.
Looking at the future â The future of work is now | Editorial of CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger
While the distinction âemployed vs self-employedâ seems to be increasingly blurred, classic inderpendencies and interconnections of the industrial age may not apply anymore.
CESI Firefighters’ Day: Firefighting needs a European approach
On Wednesday, February 1, CESI held its first Firefighters' Day to unite its firefighter and emergency rescue unions with EU policy and decision makers to discuss and raise awareness about an improved European approach to firefighting in natural disaster management.
CESI welcomes European Parliament vote on improved working conditions in platforms
Today, the European Parliament plenary issued a positive vote on a mandate to enter into trilogue negotiations on a new EU directive on improved working conditions in the platform economy. CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger welcomes the adopted mandate.
Joint CESI-UFE statement on a new Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT)
In the context of a consultation run by the European Commission on a new Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT) - a common set of rules for EU companies to calculate their taxable base while ensuring an effective allocation of profits between EU countries - CESI and UFE have issued a joint statement.
Yes to strengthened social dialogue - but in an inclusive way
Today, the European Commission published a long-expected Communication with plans to strengthen social dialogue in Europe. CESI welcomes a reinforced social dialogue but regrets that most planned measures target cross-sector social dialogue and leave sectoral dialogue and independent union organisations behind.
New year, new challenges | Editorial of the Secretary-General Klaus Heeger
For 2023, CESI has the responsibility to do everything possible to flag the importance of social cohesion and workersâ needs and demands on the top of Europeâs political agenda.
CESI: New European Disability Card should span to employment and work too
As the European Commission envisages to propose a new European Disability Card to provide seamless access to essential and disability-related benefits as well as social protection for the disabled that move from one Member State to another, the Card must also span to areas of employment and the world of work, according to CESI.
European Year of Skills 2023 must be inclusive and encompassing
As 2023 has been designated the European Year of Skills, CESI stresses that its governance must be inclusive and its envisaged output encompassing.
Reaction of the Presidium of CESI to Qatargate
Following the ongoing revelations on Qatargate, the Presidium of CESI adopted a resolution - affirming its trust in principle in the EU institutions, but also calling for improvements to its lobby- and corruption-controlling framework conditions.
Independence | Editorial of the Secretary-General Klaus Heeger
Independence. And why the EU has changed some rules of the game â to the better.
European social partners for postal services (PostEurop, UNI Europa, CESI) agree on joint declaration on training
During the 2022 plenary meeting November 30, the European social partners for postal services, comprising PostEurop on the employer side and UNI Europa and CESI on the employee side, agreed on a joint declaration on training and work environments in the digital transition in postal services.
CESI welcomes EU moves towards a Global Health Strategy and a recognition of Covid as an occupational disease
This week, the European Commission formally recommended Member States to recognise Covid-19, under certain cirumstances, as an occupational disease. It also published new Global Health Strategy, in an attempt to position the EU as a leader in the fields of health and care. CESI welcomes both moves.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: Ending violence in the EU and beyond, at work and in private life
On November 25, the annual International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger reiterates CESI's call to end violence against women and girls, in the EU and beyond, at work in private life.
CESI met with TVML in Finland to present the results of the DiWork project
On November 23, CESI met with TVML as part of the DiWork project.
EU gas price cap: Positive step but much more needs to be done
On November 22, after weeks of negotiations and political pressure, the European Commission unveiled a proposal for a measure to limit excessive gas prices.
CESI welcomes European Commissionâs urge to square support for workers and vulnerable citizens with targeted investments
Today, the European Commission jumpstarted the 2023 European Semester cycle of economic and social policy coordination, publishing this year's Autumn Package. CESI welcomes the European Commission's approach to tackle current multiple socio-economic challenges by squaring support for workers and vulnerable citizens with targeted public investments and fair and effective taxation.
CESI on the 5th anniversary of the European Pillar of Social Rights
Since the inception of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), CESI has been one of its strong proponents and contributed to its development through a participation in various consultations and conferences.
CESI Expert Commission on Health Services: Health in the spotlight!
On November 15, CESI's statutory Expert Commission âHealth Servicesâ (SAN) met for the first time after the Covid pandemic in Brussels to reassess its priorities in the context of the European Health Union and to set up new goals for healthcare professionals EU wide. it made clear: The future healthcare workforce in the EU needs to be more strengthened and skilled.
