Tony Burke reports on the creation of a new pan-European superunion.
The creation of Europe’s largest trade union federation for industrial and manufacturing workers was agreed this week.
National trade union leaders affiliated to three European trade union federations, the European Metal Workers; the European Chemical, Energy and Mine Workers Federation and the European Textile Workers Federation, have agreed to form the eight million strong European Industrial Workers Federation covering unionised workers throughout Europe.
The new trade union federation will commit itself to fighting for an economic framework that allows industry and manufacturing to thrive, creating new jobs and sustainable growth.
At a joint meeting this week the three federations also condemned the austerity measures put in place by European governments as well as the attacks on employment and social rights.
Rejecting attacks on employment rights, collective bargaining and the European social model the Executive Committees of the three federations said employment rights cannot be sacrificed at the altar of neo-liberal dogma.
Instead, European industry needs a new project based on investment, employment growth and worker participation.
In addition the formation of the EIWF will ensure that organizing non-unioinsed workers is a top priority as well as defending and supporting unions fighting for union rights and against de-unionisation across Europe.
The founding Congress of the EIWF that will take place on 16th May this year.
See also:
• Unions jump the shark over Clarkson – Michael Harris, December 2nd 2011
• The votes of trade unionists are a strength to Labour not a weakness – Tony Woodley, November 19th 2010
• Priti Patel’s attacks on trade unions are all about ideology – Carl Roper, October 12th 2011
• The NUJ is the solution to the sickness at News International – Ruwan Subasinghe, October 6th 2011
• The Daily Mail’s poisonous lies must be fought by all trade unionists – Rick Coyle, September 23rd 2011
16 Responses to “New European Industrial Workers Federation looms”
BevR
New European Industrial Workers Federation looms, writes @tonyburke2010: http://t.co/BRGyBtM6 #paneuropeansuperunion
BevR
New European Industrial Workers Federation looms, writes @tonyburke2010: http://t.co/BRGyBtM6 #paneuropeansuperunion
Pulp Ark
New European Industrial Workers Federation looms http://t.co/NpTAokFF #Good_Society #EIWF #Europe #muslim #tcot #sioa
Pulp Ark
New European Industrial Workers Federation looms http://t.co/NpTAokFF #Good_Society #EIWF #Europe #muslim #tcot #sioa
CAROLE JONES
New European Industrial Workers Federation looms, writes @tonyburke2010: http://t.co/BRGyBtM6 #paneuropeansuperunion