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Solidarity from Europe for 20 October

Issue date
Solidarity with the TUC demonstration

For a future that works

20 October 2012

The following messages of solidarity have been received from trade unionists around Europe, on top of messages from Greece.

CMKOS, Czech Republic

On behalf of the Czech Confederation of Trade Unions (CMKOS) I would like to express our full solidarity with your demonstration for 'a future that works' to be held on 20 October in London.

Your demands - the necessity of alternative policies that promote creation of jobs, especially for young people, reverse the austerity measures and build an economy that works for ordinary families - are also demands of our campaigns against our anti-social government.

We join you in our minds and believe that the common and more and more unified struggle of trade unions throughout Europe against dismantling of the European social model with its social protection, social dialogue, industrial relations and decent jobs is able to bring its fruits. We wish you every success!

Jaroslav Zavadil, President

CGT, France

Why are we, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) of France marching in solidarity with you on 20 October? Because we also think that austerity isn't working! Because in France and all over Europe we're facing the same problems, cuts and austerity policies.

That's why we, CGT of France, join your call for an alternative economic strategy that puts jobs, growth and people first. We need a new policy for Europe to reverse our decline and build an economy that works for the people. Your struggle is ours too! Solidarity is not just a word so let's work together to build a future that works!

UIL, Italy

On behalf of UIL I wish to express our support to the demonstration 'a future that works' that the TUC will organize on October 20 to urge the government to adopt policies promoting sustainable economic growth, better and decent jobs and efficient public services accessible to everybody. In many European countries austerity measures have curbed development, depressed internal demand, increased unemployment - youth unemployment in particular - and worsened inequalities among citizens. Resources must be targeted to tackle these real problems and not to rescue again a financial system without rules. UIL thinks that these are European unions' common goals and hence we must work together to create a strong and determined European front capable of proposing useful alternatives for the workers we represent.

With esteem and solidarity.

Luigi Angeletti, General Secretary

UGT, Spain

We express our solidarity with the mass demonstration in London on 20 October.

Candido Mendez, General Secretary

USO, Spain

On behalf of the Union Sindical Obera, we would like to express our solidarity with your mobilisation on 20 October in London, the march for a future that works. We understand your plight as in Spain we are also suffering the impact of austerity policies by our political leaders on workers and ordinary people, compounded by the obvious lack of true solutions to the deepening economic recession. So far, our leaders have not listened to the protests of the workers and citizens despite several mass demonstrations that have brought tens of thousands of people into the street. We will keep fighting for our future and they MUST end up listening to us.

We fully support your demonstration and we hope that your political decision-makers will hear your call and change direction towards a future that works for everyone. We wish you luck.

Julio Salazar, General Secretary

SGB/USS, Switzerland

Dear colleagues, the Swiss Trade Union Federation (SGB), the largest labour organisation in Switzerland, assure you of its utmost solidarity for your mass demonstration in London on 20 October.

For the working class in Europe, the struggle against the destructive austerity policy has become a struggle for survival. Not only wages and pensions collapse under the pressure of the international financial markets and their political henchmen. As a direct result of the countless austerity programmes, the existence of thousands of workers across Europe is now at stake. It is high time to stop this wrong policy and to create a future that works - a future that works for everyone throughout Europe. Your struggle against this dictate of austerity merits our deepest respect, support and solidarity. We wish you all the best and every success!

Paul Rechsteiner, President

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