The coronavirus and its effects on trade unions

REPORT TRADE UNIONISTS ASSEMBLY

Three panellists took the floor and presented three different viewpoints and realities; from a national trade union, from a left political party and from a trade union confederation at European level.

Greek national perspective:

• Wages going down, unrest going up – workers furloughed with €534/month
• Both public and private sectors hit by crisis
• Most vulnerable workers have no choice than “on-site” working
• Mass-media not supportive of social and trade union claims
• Big demonstrations taking place in the streets (even if trade union membership is low)

Left political party:

• Labour rights and trade unions under pressure (threat of labour market reforms)
• Aim of changes: less social protection and company agreements (instead national)
• A Social Protocol is needed at European level to base the Pillar of Fundamental Rights, which is merely a declaration nowadays
• Relaunch the utility of European Works Councils for workers

Trade Union Confederation:

• We need trade union in companies to stop job losses after Christmas
• In order to gain power we need higher trade union density
• A directive is needed to have all workers covered by CBA
• Equal work – equal pay!! Need a gender policy directive
• Recovery package should privilege companies with a CBA (EU money has to be for companies willing to engage with trade unions)
• “Migrant nets of support” must be put in place

Conclusions:

• Democracy is becoming precarious in Europe
• Migrant workers problems need to be addressed
• Regain the Working Class Pride: Unions, Unions, Unions
• Democracy spirit to be regained as an agent of change
• Better cooperation between TU’s and left, progressive political parties (coordination, coordination, coordination)
• Make joint proposals visible
• End working poor and gig precarious employment
• Collective actions to be organised by the political and the TU sphere

WE NEED TO BUILD SPACES OF COORDINATION WHERE TRADE UNIONS AND LEFT PROGRESSIVE POLITICAL PARTIES DELIVER SOCIAL PROPOSALS TO JOINTLY FIGHT FOR THEM IN A COORDINATED MANNER

Enrique Carmona