EU funded project 'A Europe that works for Britain'

‘A Europe that works for Britain’

Background

1. In September 2013 the TUC was awarded a grant of €20,000 by the European Commission’s London office to run a project ahead of the European elections raising awareness and stimulating policy debate nationally and regionally on issues revolving around UK membership of the EU and what it means for working people.

2. As part of the project, three pieces of research have been commissioned:

• from the LSE to update an existing study on the number of jobs dependent on UK membership of the EU, broken down by constituency (the original study by Professor Iain Begg dates back to 2000). Details of this study are still being discussed;

• from Dr Michael Lloyd, Senior Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute, on the monetary value of EU employment rights to demonstrate that for every alleged cost/burden on business there was a gain for ordinary working people. This report has been received and is being finalised; and

• from Professor Sonia McKay of the Working Lives Research Institute, looking at EU derived employment rights and what would happen were these to be 'repatriated', which is also being finalised.

• Below is a list of the regional events that are planned as part of this project, targeted at union reps, activist and community organisers. The TUC is also planning to attract media attention to these events, mostly locally, but depending on the topic, events may receive wider coverage. Leaflets advertising the events below, with details of the time and venue, are attached.

Newcastle 1 February

4. The first event, following the North East Regional Council on Saturday 1 February, was a short discussion exploring the facts around the benefits to workers of the European Union’s rules. Judith Kirton-Darling, European Parliamentary Candidate for the Labour Party in the North East (and former ETUC Confederal Secretary) will focus on Britain’s relationship with the EU – Reform, Re-negotiation, Referendum? And Michael Lloyd, Senior Research Fellow, Global Policy Institute will share findings from the TUC study around Benefits to UK Workers from EU Regulations. Their interventions were followed by a Q&A session giving participants an opportunity to dispel myths on Europe.

Cumbria Forum, Penrith 19 February

5. A talk to explore the themes of the Euro Elections, focussing on an equal and representative Europe, opposing racism and fascism. Julie Ward, European Parliamentary Candidate for the Labour Party in the North East, will outline Labour’s priorities for Europe and Paul Meszaros of Hope Not Hate will talk about their campaign countering extremisms in politics. There will also be an opportunity to discuss and plan campaigning activity in the run up to the elections in May.

Plymouth, 28 February

6. A seminar to explore the facts behind population, migration and the European Union – which are hotly debated and affect how people are treated at work and in our communities. Trade unions work to protect wages and conditions from being undercut; but also to support workers when they are being exploited by employers and gang masters.

7. The European Union has given us free movement and important employment rights but fears over migration are being used to undermine these. This seminar will help arm trade union representatives with the facts on population and migration. It will discuss common beliefs and scare stories around migrants and debate the role of the EU in protecting employees and how we can address concerns over immigration.

London, 22 March

8. A half-day event to explore truth and lies about Europe, rights, jobs and migration. Amongst the speakers invited, Sonia McKay will present the study on employment rights and what Europe has done for working people. Professor Iain Begg has been invited to talk about the integration of labour markets across Europe and the jobs potential deriving from membership of the EU. Participants will also hear about the TUC work around migration and the contribution of a Portuguese full time officer.

Yorkshire & Humber, early April

9. An event will be held in early April to get voters to used their vote wisely and for candidates that care about workplace issues, as it is becoming clearer that repatriation of laws from the EU will consist of employment rights disappearing (namely on working time, holidays, health and safety etc). The event will also look at the threats to businesses – and therefore jobs – of any UK withdrawal or major changes to the membership status of the EU and its trade agreements. Speakers will range from a variety of backgrounds, including business delegates and MEPs from the region.

Midlands and North West joint event, mid-April

10. This event will be run in cooperation with a college on either side of the border between the two regions as it will be aimed in particular at young people, mainly aged 16-21, with contributions from Hope not Hate covering fascism; NUS and student reps stressing the importance of the elections for young people; trade unions looking at the relevance of Europe for workers and a prospective or sitting MEP to explain more concretely what Europe does and what MEPs are meant to do for constituents.