ETUC - THE EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION

is the representative body of 77 national trade union federations from 35 countries and 11 European trade associations. It represents around 60 million members.
As the representative of European workers it is directly involved in the European law-making process: the ETUC and the European employers’ associations can, since the signing of the Maastricht Social Protocol, conclude joint agreements which can attain legal status by a decision of the Council and of the European Parliament. It has participated directly in the development of important Directives on workers’ rights, such as those on part-time work and parental leave.

• The ETUC General Secretary is John Monks, former chairman of the British TUC parent association.

• The ETUC President is Candido Mendez, Chairman of the Spanish UGT.

• Reiner Hoffmann of the DGB and Maria Helena André of the Portuguese UGT are Deputy General Secretaries.

Aims and Activities

European integration is greatly changing the framework of conditions facing the trade unions. In order to guarantee and promote workers’ rights, economic integration must be complemented by a social Europe and a Europe of social relationships. The ETUC wants to contribute to the development of the European social model.
The uppermost target is the exertion of influence on the policies of the European Union by representing trade union interests to

• the European Commission

• the European Parliament

• the Council.

Cooperation in the numerous advisory committees and institutions such as the EU Economic and Social Committee is part of this process.
Whilst the European trade union federations represent the professional interests of their member organisations at sectoral level, the ETUC has the duty of organising the cross-sectoral (inter-professional) social dialogue.
The European social dialogue is a unique component of the European social model, whose basis is clearly defined in the EC Treaty. The dialogue embraces discussions, consultations, negotiations and joint measures by social partners’ organisations (employers and workers) as well as EU institutions.
The mobilisation of workers to enforce its demands is essential. The ETUC therefore calls repeatedly for demonstrations; the demonstration against the first draft of the European Services Directive in Strasbourg on 14 February 2006 is one example.
Membership and Structures
77 national union federations from 35 countries and 11 European trade associations belong to the ETUC. Individuals cannot, however, become members. It is the only interprofessional trade union confederation recognised by the EU, the Council of Europe and EFTA.
The ETUC coordinates the activities of more than 35 inter-regional trade union councils which organise union cooperation in border areas.
The ETUC’s bodies are:

• the ETUC Congress (every 4 years)

• the Executive Committee

• the Management Committee

• the General Secretariat

 

Adress:

European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
International Trade Union House (ITUH)
Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 5
B-1210 Brussels
Belgium

---

ETUI-REHS  - European Trade Union Institute for Research, Education, and Health and Safety

The European Trade Union Institute for Research, Education, and Health and Safety (ETUI-REHS) is an international non profit-making Association established under Belgian law.

It has three main objectives:

• conducting research, producing studies and monitoring European issues of strategic importance for the world of labour while building bridges between the academic and research community and the labour movement;

• promoting education and training activities, programmes and exchanges that strengthen a European Trade Union identity;

• providing technical support in the field of occupational health, safety and protection so as to promote a high level of health and safety protection for workers in Europe.