Global solidarity in action at ETUC Congress in Berlin

The TUC’s close relationship with trade unions from the EU through our membership of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has led to pressure on the European Commission and governments of EU countries to hold the UK government to commitments to uphold workers’ rights in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. 

This was seen in April when MPs from many EU countries (as well as globally) signing a collective letter condemning the government’s attacks on the right to strike with the Strikes Bill.

This message was reinforced at ETUC Congress in Berlin which has just been held where the TUC joined trade unions from across the EU as well as beyond.

ETUC Congress passed an emergency resolution co-sponsored by the TUC which condemned attacks on the right to strike in the UK through the Strikes Bill and Belgium -where striking unions have faced arrest -  as well as across Europe.

At the Congress trade unions from across the EU vowed to support UK trade unions’ campaigns to protect rights from being scrapped by the Retained EU Law bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords.

Key political leaders also spoke at the Congress pledging support for trade unions. 

The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke about the importance of collective bargaining to guarantee rights along supply chains.

The European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen spoke about the importance of governments working with trade unions to ensure respect for fundamental workers’ rights.

We hope the UK government hears this message.

The TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak addressed ETUC Congress highlighting the importance of international solidarity in defending fundamental workers’ rights post-Brexit.  He spoke about the TUC’s commitment to work with trade unions from across the EU to tackle the rise in racism, the far-right and attacks on asylum seekers’ rights in the UK and the EU.  

ETUC Congress also on workers’ rights globally, as well as in Europe.   Joining European trade unions in Berlin were unions facing severe threats on a daily basis from Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and Myanmar, as well as other countries.

All of them received standing ovations of solidarity from Congress delegates.

ETUC Congress passed an emergency resolution co-sponsored by the TUC condemning Qatar being given the presidency of the International Labour Organisation conference in light of the terrible labour abuses that continue there.

These abuses documented by the TUC in our report released ahead of the World Cup that was held in Qatar last year. 

ETUC Congress also adopted a TUC-supported resolution condemning the US including Cuba in its list of terrorist-supporting countries and its illegal blockade of the country and an action plan for fighting the far right.

The week in Berlin affirmed the importance of workers standing together to demand decent treatment and respect for our rights, resisting attempts of governments to divide workers by borders or nationality.