Workers first: Our agenda in a turbulent Europe
Editorial by Klaus Heeger, CESI Secretary General
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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.
CESI Expert Commission on Education: More investments necessary for quality education
On May 10, CESI’s Expert Commission ‘Education, Training and Research’ (EDUC) convened for its first meeting of the year.
CESI supports ex-ante social impact assessments in policy-making
In April, the European Commission consulted about a possible promotion by the EU of so-called ex-ante distributional impact assessments in national policy making in order to prevent new legislation from having direct or indirect adverse effects on poverty levels and household incomes. CESI agrees with the objective of the initiative.
European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan
The Pillar sets out 20 key principles and rights essential for fair and well-functioning labour markets and social protection systems, structured around three chapters: equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion.
International Nurses’ Day: No health without the health care workforce!
May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, marks the International Nurses’ Day. CESI's Expert Commission ‘Health Services’, reunited on May 10 to collectively recognise the inestimable contribution that nurses bring to our societies.
DiWork study: Trade unions and workers must play an open-minded role in digital transitions
A new comparative study, commissioned by CESI under its EU co-funded DiWork project to the Lithuanian consultancy Visual Analytics, shows that trade unions and their members must participate constructively in ongoing digital transformations if they do not want to be sidelined and be adversely affected in the process.
May Day. Mayday? | Editorial of the Secretary General Klaus Heeger
May 1 was the International Workers' Day – May Day. May Day. Mayday?
Updated CESI position on an EU Care Strategy
As the European Commission drafts a long-awaited new EU Care Strategy, including proposals for Council Recommendations on long-term care and on early childhood education and care, CESI has updated its position with priorities on what the Care Strategy should contain for workers and employees in the sector, which it represents at the EU level.
CESI@home on energy Crisis and Inflation: What impacts on workers & citizens and what consequences for unions?
On Friday, April 8, CESI hosted a further edition of its CESI@home event series, this time on the topic of 'Energy inflation: What impacts on workers & citizens and what consequences for unions?' It made clear: The purchasing power of workers needs to be maintained, and this requires action far beyond short-term relief measures on high energy prices.
Occupational safety first! Making health and safety a fundamental right at work
On April 28, the World Health and Safety Day also known as the International Workers’ Memorial Day or the Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, CESI pays tribute to all workers who have suffered from work accidents, distress and diseases. CESI advocates in favour of making health and safety a fundamental right at work and through its campaigns raises awareness on the importance of occupational safety.
CESI welcomes new EU initiative to attract skilled labour to the EU
On April 27 the European Commission put forward a long-awaited set of measures to attract skills and talent to the EU, including proposals for a revised Single Permit Directive and Long-Term Residents Directive and a Talent Pool to facilitate legal migration and attract skills and talent from around the world.
