11 Sep 2008 -
World Day for Decent Work, 7 October 2008

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The right of trade unions to take collective action in defence of their members interests is central to keeping trade union strength in a global economy. The ability of national unions to take such action is already threatened by the global economy and the risk of social dumping and the ability of transport unions, both in goods and passenger transport, to respond quickly to such challenges is vital to the future of the global trade union movement. In recent months, the right of unions in European countries to take such action – even when guaranteed under national labour law – has been put into question by a number of key decisions taken by the European Court of Justice – the EU's supreme court. In one of these, the Viking case, the ITF together with our affiliate the Finnish Seamens Union, was a principal defendant. Another involved the Swedish Construction Workers union. In both cases, which are now being followed by others, what is at stake is the conflict between the fundamental rights of workers within the Europen Union to take action in defence of their members and the right of employers to establish themselves in other EU countries and then provide services across national borders. There is a very real risk of the practice of social dumping being enshrined in European law.

The ITF and the ETF together with our colleagues in the Building and Wood sector, key national confederations and the ETUC are now concerned to demonstrate to decision makers everywhere the importance of ensuring that EU law guarantees the rights of worker, not employers. This also is a key issue which we would like ITF affiliates to use in planning their activities for October 7th.