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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European Commission Communication on orientations for a reform of EU economic governance: Positive steps
On November 9, the European Commission published a Communication setting out orientations for a reformed EU economic governance framework aiming at strengthening debt sustainability while enhancing sustainable and inclusive growth. CESI welcomes the move for a more balanced economic governance framework.
Constance showed the way towards stronger public services | Editorial of the Secretary-General Klaus Heeger
This conference may have been the final step of a 2-year journey full of lessons and experiences, but in fact, it marked the beginning of new collective efforts and fights towards stronger, more efficient, sustainable, resilient and well-performing public services.
Energy Council: Slow steps towards comprehensive energy emergency measures in Europe
CESI welcomes agreements on first measures, but demands further and more decisive steps to bring down energy bills very quickly and in a sustainable way.
Europe has got talent: CESI Youth welcomes upcoming 2023 European Year of Skills
This week the European Commission walked the talk and committed itself to make 2023 the European Year of Skills. CESI Youth and its members welcome the initiative.
Workers and the price of inflation | Editorial of the Secretary-General Klaus Heeger
To avoid an imminent large social unrest across Europe that continued inflation could bring, we need to determine appropriate mechanisms to protect citizens and support those in need. Now more than ever, Europeans need a strong European Union that will put the people again at the core of its policies – despite all crises around us.
CESI Expert Commission convenes in Rome for a joint event hosted by the Italian CONFSAL/SNALS teachers' union
In the month featuring the World Teachers' Day, CESI’s statutory members' Expert Commission ‘Education, Training and Research’ (EDUC) gathered in Rome - for the first time physically after the pandemic - and online.
CESI exchanges with CONFSAL and CISAL about the EU digital strategy under the DiWork framework
On October 11, CESI met CONFSAL and CISAL as part of the DiWork project.
EU social dialogue: Landmark agreement on digitalisation in central government administrations
Today, on October 6, the European social partners for central government administrations, the Trade Union’s National and European Delegation (TUNED) and the European Public Administration Employers (EUPAE), signed a unique and ambitious agreement on the rights of workers in central government administrations in the digital era.
5th European Defence Round Table (EDRT): 'The Winter of Discontent’ - Russia's War on Ukraine and its consequences for the EU
On September 29, the fifth edition of CESI's European Defence Round Table (EDRT) gathered security experts, academia, policy makers, military representatives and trade unionists to assess the consequences of Russia’s war on Ukraine for the EU.
CESI expert commission Defense: military personnel at the heart of the green transition
A comprehensive approach to digital transition. CESI meets in Luxembourg the CGFP
On September 29, CESI met CGFP as part of the DiWork project.
Digital education and skills: EU initiative must include support and training for teachers
As the European Commission prepares proposals for Council Recommendations on an improved provision of digital education and digital skills in the Member States, CESI highlights that the initiative must not fail to address adequate support and training for teachers.
CESI launches the new project on green transition: EcoTra
On September 26, CESI launched its first meeting as part of EcoTra project. The aim of the project is to ensure that the green transition is socially fair.
Protests to maintain purchasing power in Belgium: It’s time to protect the citizens
Today, on September 21, Belgian national trade unions rally their members in Brussels to protest over the government's insufficient measures to protect citizens’ purchasing power in times of surging inflation. CESI expresses its support.
European Parliament report calls to mitigate mental health consequences of Covid lockdowns for young people
On Tuesday, September 13, the European Parliament adopted an own-initaitive report on the impact of Covid-19 closures of educational, cultural, youth and sports activities on children and young people in the EU. CESI welcomes this report, which does not fail to identify the multiple mental health problems that these closures fostered among many young people.
CESI on the EU State of the Union address: The EU needs to deliver for workers, citizens & families
In her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament, Commission President von der Leyen made a case for solidarity internally in the EU and externally with Ukraine. As a strong proponent of such solidarity, according to CESI, it can only be maintained if the EU delivers better for workers, citizens and families that face the impacts of the multiple crises that Europe is experiencing.
New EU Care Strategy: A step towards improved child and long-term care in Europe - and better employment conditions for workers in the sector
Today, the European Commission published a long awaited EU Care Strategy to achieve more available, accessible and affordable child and long-term care in Europe as well as better employment conditions for workers in the sector. CESI welcomes the initiative.
#WEP - Exchange and development programme for future union leaders
The project aims to promote training sessions, exchange of experiences and good practices on how young trade unionists, coming from different countries and cultures, see the participation of young people in the priorities and activities of European social dialogue and in particular the trade union engagement of young people as a form of participation in EU policy-making
Energy inflation: Open letter to the Czech Council Presidency
In advance of a scheduled extraordinary Council meeting of ministers responsible for energy policy on September 9, CESI has issued an open letter to the Czech Council Presidency, stressing that the meeting must bring tangible, concrete and immediate results to bring down energy prices for citizens, workers and their families.
A big thank you before a tough autumn begins | Editorial of the Secretary-General Klaus Heeger
Against the background of multiple crises and unprecedented difficulties for the world of work, we managed to keep the voice of workers strong.
Demands of CESI to counter surging inflation for workers
CESI publishes its resolution on trade union demands to counter inflation.
International Youth Day: CESI Youth calls for more solidarity amongst workers, for workers
August 12 is International Day of Youth, as established in 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly. This year’s focus is on intergenerational solidarity: ‘Creating a World for All Ages’. CESI Youth stresses that solving the complex problems of today’s and tomorrow’s world can only be done though a joint effort shared across all generations.
A call for trade union pluralism: CESI's Presidium responds to ban of free and independent unions in Belarus
Responding to the recent ban of free and independent trade unions in Belarus, the Presidium of CESI issued a call in defence of trade union pluralism in the country and beyond.
Summer time as a teacher ... and life is hard!
CESI condemns the use of involuntary precarious work contracts for teachers that end each summer with the academic year.
Alea iacta est – Revision of Hungarian KATA tax law may bring adverse effects for young entrepreneurs in the country
Guest commentary by Róbert Szokolai, affiliate of CESI’s Hungarian member union MKKSz.
CESI pleads for more solidarity & investments in firefighting and other emergency response services
In the last few weeks, Europe has faced severe heatwaves leading to prolonged drought, high temperatures, extreme climate chain reactions (including floods and landslides) and fires in the South of Europe. CESI asks for more solidarity and investments in firefighting and other emergency response services across Europe.
Blueprint Alliance for a Future Health Workforce Strategy on Digital And Green Skills: BeWell project kicked-off
CESI is happy to announce its participation in the EU-funded ‘BeWell’ project - led by the European Health Management Association (EHMA) with the participation of 24 partners from 11 European countries.
Summer Days 2022: Towards a greener, digital, social Europe
Article of CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger in the 'EUobserver'.
We wish you a good summer! | Editorial of the Secretary General Klaus Heeger
We wish you a good summer – despite (or especially because of) these troubled times.
EU and NATO ties stronger than ever
On 29th-30th June 2022 the heads of states and governments of the EU Member States met with NATO representatives during the Madrid Summit in order reinforce their aligned geopolitical interests in the face of global challenges.
CESI Summer Days 2022 kick-off: New CESI discussion paper on fair green-digital transitions
As CESI's Summer Days 2022 kick-off, CESI presents a new discussion paper on fair green-digital transitions that strike a sustainable balance between social, economic and environmental considerations.
A digital transition fit for public services. CESI exchanges with MKKSZ in Paris
On June 24, CESI met MKKSZ as part of the DiWork project.
CESI priorities on the European Commission's directive on working conditions in the platform economy now available
At its last statutory meeting on June 21, CESI's statutory Commission on Employment and Social Affairs adopted its priorities on the European Commission's recent proposal for a new directive n improving working conditions in platform work.
New CESI positions on women's rights: Glass ceilings in the public sector, violence against women, gender aspects in the EU Care Strategy
At its meeting on June 21, CESI's statutory Commission on Women's Rights and Gender Equality adopted a series of new position papers, focusing on violence against women, glass ceilings in the public sector in Europe and gender aspects in a new EU Care Strategy.
United Public Service Day is a call to esteem public servants
United Public Service Day is a call to esteem public servants and to call for improved working conditions, no more staff shortages, better valorisation and investments, and stronger EU public sector agenda recognizing essential services.
CESI calls for EU action to address brain drain imbalances in Europe
In the context of a consultation by the European Commission, CESI has issued a position calling for EU action to address brain drain imbalances in Europe.
CESI@home event on pay transparency with MEP Samira Rafaela
On June 17, CESI held an internal CESI@home event with MEP Samira Rafaela on the ongoing negotiations on a new EU pay transparency directive.
Third ALE-CESI Railway Days
Following two previous editions during the last years, CESI and its member ALE, the Autonomous Train Drivers’ Unions of Europe, held their third ALE-CESI Railway Days in Brussels on June 14-15, with a series of bilateral meetings with key EU officials and politicians.
EU’s defence looking towards NATO and the East
On June 8, the European Parliament adopted by large majority a recommendation on the EU’s Common Foreign, Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Following the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the report highlights the need to develop at a maximum speed the EU’s common foreign, defence and security policies.
European Parliament report on green transition in the defence sector: CESI calls for proper consultations of military staff
On June 7 the European Parliament adopted with a large majority a report on the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) Climate Change and Defence Roadmap. The recommendations put forward in the report are essential for assessing the defence sector as a key climate actor and for setting up the steps needed to restructure it in light of the 2050 European climate-neutral targets. CESI stresses that the voice of military staff and their representatives must be heard in green transitions in the sector.
CESI@noon on the regulation of remote working in a post-Covid New Normal
On June 8, CESI held a CESI@noon event to mark the formal launch and publication of a new discussion paper on the regulation of remote working in a post-Covid New Normal.
CESI Expert Commission on Public Administrations advances in its advocacy for a strong public sector agenda in Europe
On May 31, CESI’s statutory Expert Commission ‘Public Administration’ (PA) met for the second time this year to discuss the parameters of well-functioning public services in the EU and what advocacy steps are needed for improving their situation.
CESI meets SDMCG and SLFS as part of the DiWork project
On June 8, CESI met with Montenegro's members as part of the DiWork project.
Summer Days 2022: Green, digital, but also social | Editorial of the Secretary General Klaus Heeger
We must strengthen the voice of workers and citizens and involve them in the processes that will determine their future!
CESI meets Avenir Secours, SPELC, FA-FPT and Snspp-Pats as part of the DiWork project
On June 6, CESI met with French members to discuss about digital transition.
CESI calls for further investments for improved access to essential services
In the context of a consultation by the European Commission, CESI has reiterated its longstanding demand for further investments by the EU and the Member States for an improved access to essential services - which must especially target the staff which deliver, often as exposed frontline workers.
SAVE THE DATE: Summer Days 2022 June 30 & July 1
Two days of interactive workshops and plenary debates brought to you by the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI), the Bertelsmann Stiftung and EU Observer (media partner)
Upcoming on June 8: CESI@noon on the regulation of remote working
On June 8, CESI will hold a further edition of its event series CESI@noon, this time focussing on the topic 'Towards a New Normal: How to Regulate Remote Working?' Registrations are now open.
CESI exchanges with USLIP to discuss the digital transition of public services
On May 20, CESI met USLIP as part of the DiWork project.
CESI Youth celebrates European VET week by encouraging better education-to-work transitions and early career counselling
Between May 16-20 2022 the European Commission hosts this year’s European Vocational Skills Week, an annual initiative launched in 2016 to provide stakeholders -among them teachers, students and parents organisations, trainers and social partners- with an opportunity to advocate for better vocational education and training (VET) in Europe.